Jun 26, 2009, 7:05 am
1 LA Clippers Blake Griffin 6-10 248 PF Oklahoma
No suspense or surprise here -- Griffin is the best player on the board and should have an immediate impact on the court. Congratulations to the Clippers for not screwing this up.
2 Memphis Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 267 C Connecticut
I don't want to say I told you so, but ... Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley really wanted to improve their defense and Thabeet does that. He's the best shot-blocker in the draft and if he ever develops any offense, he could be a dominant big. I'm skeptical, but understand why they took Thabeet.
3 Oklahoma City James Harden 6-5 222 SG Arizona State
We knew for months it was probably Harden or Rubio, and about 15 minutes before the draft we changed our mock draft to put Harden here. He's a great fit in the backcourt with Russell Westbrook and one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. Obviously the Thunder couldn't make a trade with a team wanting Rubio. And you have to ask yourself, did Russell Westbrook make this pick for Sam Presti? He was fighting hard against Rubio and looks like he won.
4 Sacramento Tyreke Evans 6-5 220 SG Memphis
I thought the Kings ultimately would do the right thing and take Rubio, but instead they take Evans. He's not a point guard. But he's a physical combo guard who knows how to get to the rim. He can't shoot much and isn't super athletic, but he's big and strong and he'll make an impact right away. This was a short-term pick. It will look good early, but I wonder how it will look in five years.
5 Minnesota (from Washington) Ricky Rubio 6-5 180 PG Spain
The Wolves get their man at No. 5. Great pick for Minnesota. They are rebuilding and now they have the new face of the franchise in Rubio. He's going to get to play right away and he'll make some mistakes. But I think he'll be really good in two to three years -- good enough that the Kings may regret passing on him. UPDATE: OK, something is going on. Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn are both point guards. I don't think they'll play on the floor together. There is a trade, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if someone got to the Wolves to get Rubio or Flynn.
6 Minnesota Jonny Flynn 6-1 196 PG Syracuse
Flynn is a great leader, tough and a good defender. I know the Wolves liked both Flynn and Rubio, but I doubt they keep both of these guys. My gut says that Rubio will be the one who's moved and Flynn will stay. But we'll see.
7 Golden State Stephen Curry 6-3 181 PG Davidson
One note on this pick: The Suns and Warriors were talking about moving Amare Stoudemire for Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright and this pick. Could Curry be Steve Nash's replacement? But if Curry is staying with the Warriors, then so much for that alleged promise to Monta Ellis that they wouldn't draft a point guard. Then again, in Don Nelson's system, Curry can be a combo guard and a good fit with Ellis in the backcourt -- at least in theory. Ellis would be the slasher, and Curry would be the shooter. But they are both pretty small.
8 New York Jordan Hill 6-10 232 PF Arizona
The Knicks are relieved. They were praying that Flynn went in the top seven so that they could get either Curry or Hill. They wish that Curry had been there, but they liked Hill a lot, too. Mike D'Antoni compared him to a young Amare Stoudemire. I think that's a little much, but he'll be good in D'Antoni's up-tempo system and he's insurance if David Lee leaves via free agency. If Lee re-signs, Hill can play some center the same way Stoudemire did in Phoenix. Good pick.
9 Toronto DeMar DeRozan 6-6 211 SG USC
DeRozan has as much upside as anyone in the draft. He's long and athletic and he can be a spectacular scorer. He needs to get stronger and build his confidence, but the Raptors made this pick for the future. With Chris Bosh possibly leaving this summer or next, DeRozan can be part of a new core with Andrea Bargnani.
10 Milwaukee Brandon Jennings 6-2 165 PG Italy
The Bucks really started to fall in love with Jennings over the past few days. He has as much upside as any point guard in the draft. He's cat-quick and impossible to stay in front of, and if he fixes his shooting woes, he'll be a big-time scorer. In three or four years, this could be a home run for the Bucks. A risk, but in this draft, a good one.
11 New Jersey Terrence Williams 6-6 213 SG Louisville
With the Nets trading Vince Carter, they are starting over. Williams is one of the best athletes in the draft, has a ton of skills and can really defend. He's an eccentric dude and he doesn't always come to play, but when he does, wow. It will be fun to watch Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Williams, Yi Jianlian and Brook Lopez grow up together. They'll lose a lot of games, but there's a lot of potential there.
12 Charlotte Gerald Henderson 6-5 215 SG Duke
Larry Brown loved Gerald Henderson from the first workout. He's a good athlete and excellent defender who could be the next Raja Bell. He's not a great shooter or a take-over offensive player, but I expect him to have a Raja-esque career.
13 Indiana Tyler Hansbrough 6-10 234 PF North Carolina
Don't you think Hansbrough's going to be popular in Indiana? As we've seen during his college years, he's a tough, physical, blue-collar guy who Larry Bird compared to Dave Cowens. The Pacers needed some toughness in the paint and Hansbrough brings it. He won't be great, but the Pacers are trying to build a team and Hansbrough is a good fit.
14 Phoenix Earl Clark 6-10 226 SF Louisville
The Suns have clearly decided to rebuild, and with Clark, they get one of the five top talents of the draft. Clark can do everything -- he's long and athletic and he can play multiple positions, including point forward. His effort was inconsistent at Louisville, but he's got as much upside as anyone in the draft. If they trade away Amare Stoudemire to Golden State, they'll have a nice young core with Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Clark, Robin Lopez and (if they got the 7th pick) Stephen Curry. If that happens, the Suns won't be all that great from the get-go, but they'll be fun. The question is, will Steve Nash stay around to lead them?
15 Detroit Austin Daye 6-11 192 SF Gonzaga
Austin Daye is a kid with a ton of upside. He's super skilled and he can shoot the lights out, like a 6-11 Stephen Curry. But he's really skinny and he doesn't have a killer instinct. Ultimately he could be a 4 if he gets stronger, but for now he'll back up Tayshaun Prince at the 3. Great upside pick for the Pistons.
16 Chicago James Johnson 6-8 257 PF Wake Forest
The Bulls have wanted Johnson for a while. He's a good athlete who can play the 3 and the 4 on both ends of the floor. His game needs to develop, but when he gets going, he's something. He reminds me a little of Chicago's Tyrus Thomas in one way -- he'll play great one minute and have his coach pulling his hair out the next. With Thomas on the trade block, Johnson may ultimately be his replacement.
17 Philadelphia Jrue Holiday 6-4 199 PG UCLA
Holiday can take a huge sigh of relief. He slipped a bit, not because of his talent, but because of some concerns about a shoulder injury that were just enough to scare some teams away, a la what happened to Danny Granger with mild concerns about his knee a few years ago. This is a great pick for Philly, which gets a lottery talent at 17 and has its point guard of the future.
18 Minnesota (from Miami, rights to T. Lawson traded to Denver for future considerations) Ty Lawson 6-1 199 PG North Carolina
No, the Timberwolves aren't running a three-PG offense. They're moving Lawson to Denver for a future first-round pick. He'll be a really good backup for Chauncey Billups. He flies up and down the floor and is as steady as they come.
19 Atlanta Jeff Teague 6-2 175 PG Wake Forest
The Hawks have acquired Jamal Crawford but weren't done remaking their backcourt. Teague had the quickest first step in college basketball and is difficult to stop from getting in the paint. He's a great upside pick for Atlanta. Don't expect Mike Bibby back in Atlanta.
20 Utah Eric Maynor 6-3 164 PG VA Commonwealth
I thought they might go with Sam Young here, but I have to admit that I love this pick for the Jazz. They needed a backup for Deron Williams, and Maynor is perfect for Utah as one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. He has a high basketball IQ and great leadership qualities. The Jazz fill a need and get a guy who I think is the most underrated player in the draft.
21 New Orleans Darren Collison 6-2 166 PG UCLA
Collison is a bit of a surprise here. The Hornets had one tiny point guard in Chris Paul and now they have two. They had bigger needs than backup point guard, but I do believe he's going to be terrific in that role ... if Chris Paul ever leaves the floor, that is.
22 Portland (from Dallas) Victor Claver 6-11 217 SF Spain
We had the Blazers pegged to take Claver with the 31st pick. I knew they really liked DeJuan Blair but they must have been scared off by his bad knees. Claver will stay overseas for maybe three years, but he's got great potential. He's athletic, skilled and one of the best up-and-coming talents in Spain. But I wonder if Portland will regret passing on Blair.
23 Sacramento (from Houston) Omri Casspi 6-9 211 SF Israel
I travel to Israel and have seen him a number of times. He's a very tough, scrappy, slashing player. He's not a shooter yet and he'll need to put on some pounds, but clearly the Kings are trying to add some toughness. Congratulations to all the basketball fans in Israel. They love the NBA and have been waiting for a first-round pick for years. The Kings are a great fit and Andres Nocioni should be the perfect mentor for him.
24 Dallas (from Portland, traded to Oklahoma City for rights to R. Beaubois) B.J. Mullens 7-1 258 C Ohio State
The Mavs are trading this pick to the Thunder for No. 25 and a future second-round pick. The Thunder have been looking to get Mullens for weeks and tried to get up as high as No. 14 to get him. Clearly, Sam Presti sees something he likes. Mullens reminds me a lot of a young Darko Milicic, for both good and bad -- he's skilled and athletic, but he doesn't really know how to play.
25 Oklahoma City (from San Antonio, traded to Dallas for rights to B.J. Mullens) Rodrigue Beaubois 6-2 182 PG France
The Thunder are making this pick for the Mavs. Dallas wanted a point guard and fell in love with Beaubois' upside. He's very long, quick and explosive athletically. He doesn't have a great feel for the game, but he should develop that overseas in the next few years.
26 Chicago (from Denver through Oklahoma City) Taj Gibson 6-10 214 PF USC
Gibson is a good pick for the Bulls in that he's long and athletic and has some upside. But with so many young, skinny frontcourt players, I'm not sure how he fits exactly.
27 Memphis (from Orlando) DeMarre Carroll 6-8 207 PF Missouri
I love this pick for the Grizzlies. He's a great energy player who flies up and down the floor, can handle the ball and creates havoc on the defensive end. He's a more skilled version of Renaldo Balkman.
28 Minnesota (from Boston) Wayne Ellington 6-5 202 SG North Carolina
OK, the Wolves finally decided to draft something other than a point guard. Ellington is a terrific shooter, which the Wolves will need with Rubio and/or Flynn on the team. He diversified his game this year and might be a bit underrated. This is a nice pick this far down in the draft.
29 LA Lakers (rights to T. Douglas traded to NY Knicks) Toney Douglas 6-2 183 SG Florida State
The Knicks fell in love with Douglas after a workout and bought this pick to get him. Douglas is a bit of a poor man's Ben Gordon, a combo guard who can really light it up. He lets the 3s fly and, unlike Gordon, is a terrific defender. This is a really good pick for New York this late.
30 Cleveland Christian Eyenga 6-6 210 SF Congo
Wow, this is a bit of a surprise with Sam Young and DeJuan Blair still on the board. I think Danny Ferry has learned well from the Spurs' model of drafting high-upside players from overseas. Eyenga is very athletic and has been compared to a young Mickael Pietrus. He's a terrific defender but pretty raw offensively. He played for the same team as Ricky Rubio, but played on the second-division squad. He's a down- the-road pick for the Cavs. We'll check back in on him in a few years.
Chad Ford's 2009 Draft Board, Round 2[size="5"][/size]
1 (31) Sacramento (traded to Portland for rights to J. Brockman) Jeff Pendergraph 6-10 240 PF Arizona State
This pick is owned by the Blazers, acquired from the Kings for the 38th pick and Sergio Rodriguez. Pendergraph is a solid pick, a big man who is pretty mobile and can rebound. I don't love this pick with DeJuan Blair, Sam Young and Chase Budinger on the board, but I'm willing to give Kevin Pritchard the benefit of the doubt.
2 (32) Washington (rights to J. Taylor traded to Houston) Jermaine Taylor 6-5 207 SG Central Florida
The Wizards traded this pick to the Rockets. Taylor's a sleeper. He's very athletic and he can really score the basketball. With Tracy McGrady ailing and perhaps on his way out, I can see why Daryl Morey went this way. A really nice pick for the Rockets.
3 (33) Portland (from LA Clippers) Dante Cunningham 6-8 227 PF Villanova
I like Cunningham, a tough, versatile player. But he's a bit of a tweener, a little undersized to play the 4. The Blazers get another young power forward, but I'm not sure they have the roster spots for all these guys.
4 (34) Denver (from Oklahoma City, rights to S. Llull traded to Houston) Sergio Llull 6-3 175 PG Spain
The Nuggets are sending this pick to the Rockets. Llull is a nice prospect coming out of Spain. He's an athletic playmaker who is getting a lot of playing time right now. I'm sure the Rockets will leave him overseas for a few years.
5 (35) Detroit (from Minnesota) DaJuan Summers 6-9 243 SF Georgetown
The Pistons seriously considered Summers at No. 15, so they are thrilled to get him at No. 35. Summers is a fantastic athlete, can shoot the ball and can play both the 3 and the 4. This is a great pick this late in the draft.
6 (36) Memphis Sam Young 6-7 223 SF Pittsburgh
Young is a great pick for the Grizzlies here. He's tough, and he can play multiple positions. I'm stunned he fell this far. I guess teams were concerned about the fact that he's already 24 years old.
7 (37) San Antonio (from Golden State through Phoenix) DeJuan Blair 6-7 277 PF Pittsburgh
Are you kidding me? How do these guys fall into San Antonio's lap? Tony Parker at 29? Ginobili late in the second? Now Blair here? This is a great pick for the Spurs. He might be able to start in San Antonio if Duncan plays the 5. This late in the draft, his knee issues aren't much of a risk; he's just a really cheap rebounder. The Spurs are getting an A+ tonight.
8 (38) Portland (from New York though Chicago, traded to Sacramento for rights to J. Pendergraph) Jon Brockman 6-7 255 PF Washington
The Blazers are picking for Sacramento here, and the Kings are clearly on a toughness kick. Brockman is a warrior in the paint and -- along with Andres Nocioni, Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi -- should put a serious dent in Sacramento's "soft" label.
9 (39) Detroit (from Toronto) Jonas Jerebko 6-9 220 SF Sweden
Good Pistons player, a third combo forward. Jerebko is tough, runs the floor, has a great body and is really athletic. He needs more experience, but he's a nice asset.
10 (40) Charlotte (from New Jersey through Oklahoma City) Derrick Brown 6-9 225 PF Xavier
I love this pick for the Bobcats. I think Brown, had he stayed in school another year, would've been a surefire first-round pick. He's an excellent athlete; he can play the 3 and the 4; and he still has lots of upside.
11 (41) Milwaukee Jodie Meeks 6-4 211 SG Kentucky
Meeks can provide some big-time scoring off the bench. Nice pick here, although I worry about his lack of athleticism.
12 (42) LA Lakers (from Charlotte, traded rights to P. Beverley to Miami for future considerations) Patrick Beverley 6-1 172 PG Ukraine
The Lakers are sending this pick to the Heat. Beverley was playing in Ukraine a few months ago. Now he's in Miami? What a ride! He is super-athletic, can be a lockdown defender, and can play both the 1 and the 2. Nice pick for the Heat, who fell in love with him in his very first stateside workout.
13 (43) Miami (from Indiana, rights to M. Thornton traded to New Orleans for future considerations) Marcus Thornton 6-4 194 SG LSU
The Heat are sending this pick to the Hornets. Thornton played at LSU so he should feel right at home. He's a nice pick. He's a big-time scorer, but his lack of size and athleticism hurt his stock a bit. He has a chance to stick.
14 (44) Detroit (rights to C. Budinger traded to Houston for future considerations) Chase Budinger 6-7 206 SG Arizona
The Pistons sent this pick to the Rockets. Budinger is a good athlete who can shoot the lights out, and I'm a little surprised he slipped this far. Two years ago he looked like a lottery pick. He can really help Houston with his shooting. The Rockets, for not having had any picks at the start of this thing, have had a nice draft.
15 (45) Minnesota (from Philadelphia through Miami, traded to Dallas) Nick Calathes 6-5 185 PG Florida
Calathes is now property of the Mavs, and he's a real steal here, a terrific passer with a great feel for the game. John Hollinger's Draft Rater loved him. I think his deal with Greece created some ambiguity and caused his stock to slip.
16 (46) Cleveland (from Chicago) Danny Green 6-7 208 SF North Carolina
Green is a great pick for Cleveland. He's very versatile, shoots the ball well and is a solid athlete. He could make this team and be a very solid rotation player in Cleveland.
17 (47) Minnesota (from Miami) Henk Norel 6-11 211 PF Netherlands
Norel is the first player drafted that I didn't have in my top 60. He's an energy guy who isn't especially skilled. I wasn't wowed by him at the Reebok Eurocamp. But I defer to Pete Philo, the Wolves' excellent international scout -- he runs the camp and knows his stuff.
18 (48) Phoenix Taylor Griffin 6-7 240 SF Oklahoma
Blake's brother has a big night, too. He's very tough, he's athletic, he has a great motor and he can even shoot a bit. I'm not sure he's an NBA player, but this is a solid second-round pick.
19 (49) Atlanta Sergiy Gladyr 6-5 190 SG Ukraine
I saw Gladyr play in Italy at the Reebok Eurocamp this year, and I was really impressed. He's a good athlete, a good scorer and a poised player. He'll continue to develop in Europe, but someday this could be a solid pick for the Hawks.
20 (50) Utah Goran Suton 6-10 245 C Michigan State
I liked Suton at Michigan State, but he's sort of like Kosta Koufos and I'm not sure he'll actually play for the Jazz for a while. Look for him to go play in Europe for a few years.
21 (51) San Antonio (from New Orleans through Toronto) Jack McClinton 6-1 185 SG Miami
Another value pick for the Spurs. He's an Eddie House clone. He can shoot the lights out and plays with a lot of energy.
22 (52) Indiana (from Dallas) A.J. Price 6-2 193 PG Connecticut
The Pacers wanted to get a point guard in the first round but couldn't pass on Hansbrough. With Price, they get a solid guard who doesn't do anything spectacularly, but he's steady and they could use that. If Jarrett Jack doesn't re-sign, Price could make the team.
23 (53) San Antonio (from Houston) Nando De Colo 6-5 185 PG France
Another really nice pick for the Spurs. He was the best player at the Reebok Eurocamp. He has a great feel for the game, and he shoots it. High basketball IQ. He's not a great athlete, but I'm a fan.
24 (54) Charlotte (from San Antonio, rights to R. Vaden traded to Oklahoma City) Robert Vaden 6-5 205 SG UAB
The Bobcats will send this pick to the Thunder. Vaden is a terrific shooter, but he's old and a bit one-dimensional. I don't love this pick for Oklahoma City. Not sure how he fits with Harden.
25 (55) Portland (from Denver) Patrick Mills 6-1 175 PG St. Mary's (CA)
The Blazers saved Patty Mills from slipping out of the draft. If he could have jumped right after the Olympics, he would have gone much higher. He's super quick and a great kid, but he's small and a lot of teams don't believe he's a point guard. The Blazers don't really have a roster spot for him, but he might be able to continue to improve overseas.
26 (56) Dallas (from Portland) Ahmad Nivins 6-9 242 PF St. Joseph's
I like Nivins a lot. He is big and has a terrific motor. He also was huge on the boards for Saint Joseph's this year. Teams are always looking for bigs who can score, so Nivins has a chance to make it to the next level.
27 (57) Phoenix (from Orlando through Oklahoma City, traded to Cleveland) Emir Preldzic 6-9 220 SF Slovenia
Preldzic is an interesting prospect. He has a great feel for the game, but his lack of shooting ability, combined with so-so athleticism, scared a few teams away. He's a nice pick for Cleveland's future.
28 (58) Boston Lester Hudson 6-2 190 SG Tenn. Martin
Hudson is a fun pick here. He's a big-time scorer who jumps out of the gym, can handle and can shoot. For an NBA prospect, he's pretty old, and he hasn't played against great competition, but he can really ball.
29 (59) LA Lakers Chinemelu Elonu 6-10 235 PF Texas A&M
Elonu is a big man who can rebound and block shots. He actually has a pretty decent upside, something you normally don't find this far down in the draft.
30 (60) Miami (from Cleveland) Robert Dozier 6-9 215 SF Memphis
So Dozier is Mr. Irrelevant. He's long, athletic and really skinny. He has never lived up to his talent, but he has a lot of raw athletic ability.
No suspense or surprise here -- Griffin is the best player on the board and should have an immediate impact on the court. Congratulations to the Clippers for not screwing this up.
2 Memphis Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 267 C Connecticut
I don't want to say I told you so, but ... Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley really wanted to improve their defense and Thabeet does that. He's the best shot-blocker in the draft and if he ever develops any offense, he could be a dominant big. I'm skeptical, but understand why they took Thabeet.
3 Oklahoma City James Harden 6-5 222 SG Arizona State
We knew for months it was probably Harden or Rubio, and about 15 minutes before the draft we changed our mock draft to put Harden here. He's a great fit in the backcourt with Russell Westbrook and one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. Obviously the Thunder couldn't make a trade with a team wanting Rubio. And you have to ask yourself, did Russell Westbrook make this pick for Sam Presti? He was fighting hard against Rubio and looks like he won.
4 Sacramento Tyreke Evans 6-5 220 SG Memphis
I thought the Kings ultimately would do the right thing and take Rubio, but instead they take Evans. He's not a point guard. But he's a physical combo guard who knows how to get to the rim. He can't shoot much and isn't super athletic, but he's big and strong and he'll make an impact right away. This was a short-term pick. It will look good early, but I wonder how it will look in five years.
5 Minnesota (from Washington) Ricky Rubio 6-5 180 PG Spain
The Wolves get their man at No. 5. Great pick for Minnesota. They are rebuilding and now they have the new face of the franchise in Rubio. He's going to get to play right away and he'll make some mistakes. But I think he'll be really good in two to three years -- good enough that the Kings may regret passing on him. UPDATE: OK, something is going on. Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn are both point guards. I don't think they'll play on the floor together. There is a trade, I think. I wouldn't be surprised if someone got to the Wolves to get Rubio or Flynn.
6 Minnesota Jonny Flynn 6-1 196 PG Syracuse
Flynn is a great leader, tough and a good defender. I know the Wolves liked both Flynn and Rubio, but I doubt they keep both of these guys. My gut says that Rubio will be the one who's moved and Flynn will stay. But we'll see.
7 Golden State Stephen Curry 6-3 181 PG Davidson
One note on this pick: The Suns and Warriors were talking about moving Amare Stoudemire for Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright and this pick. Could Curry be Steve Nash's replacement? But if Curry is staying with the Warriors, then so much for that alleged promise to Monta Ellis that they wouldn't draft a point guard. Then again, in Don Nelson's system, Curry can be a combo guard and a good fit with Ellis in the backcourt -- at least in theory. Ellis would be the slasher, and Curry would be the shooter. But they are both pretty small.
8 New York Jordan Hill 6-10 232 PF Arizona
The Knicks are relieved. They were praying that Flynn went in the top seven so that they could get either Curry or Hill. They wish that Curry had been there, but they liked Hill a lot, too. Mike D'Antoni compared him to a young Amare Stoudemire. I think that's a little much, but he'll be good in D'Antoni's up-tempo system and he's insurance if David Lee leaves via free agency. If Lee re-signs, Hill can play some center the same way Stoudemire did in Phoenix. Good pick.
9 Toronto DeMar DeRozan 6-6 211 SG USC
DeRozan has as much upside as anyone in the draft. He's long and athletic and he can be a spectacular scorer. He needs to get stronger and build his confidence, but the Raptors made this pick for the future. With Chris Bosh possibly leaving this summer or next, DeRozan can be part of a new core with Andrea Bargnani.
10 Milwaukee Brandon Jennings 6-2 165 PG Italy
The Bucks really started to fall in love with Jennings over the past few days. He has as much upside as any point guard in the draft. He's cat-quick and impossible to stay in front of, and if he fixes his shooting woes, he'll be a big-time scorer. In three or four years, this could be a home run for the Bucks. A risk, but in this draft, a good one.
11 New Jersey Terrence Williams 6-6 213 SG Louisville
With the Nets trading Vince Carter, they are starting over. Williams is one of the best athletes in the draft, has a ton of skills and can really defend. He's an eccentric dude and he doesn't always come to play, but when he does, wow. It will be fun to watch Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Williams, Yi Jianlian and Brook Lopez grow up together. They'll lose a lot of games, but there's a lot of potential there.
12 Charlotte Gerald Henderson 6-5 215 SG Duke
Larry Brown loved Gerald Henderson from the first workout. He's a good athlete and excellent defender who could be the next Raja Bell. He's not a great shooter or a take-over offensive player, but I expect him to have a Raja-esque career.
13 Indiana Tyler Hansbrough 6-10 234 PF North Carolina
Don't you think Hansbrough's going to be popular in Indiana? As we've seen during his college years, he's a tough, physical, blue-collar guy who Larry Bird compared to Dave Cowens. The Pacers needed some toughness in the paint and Hansbrough brings it. He won't be great, but the Pacers are trying to build a team and Hansbrough is a good fit.
14 Phoenix Earl Clark 6-10 226 SF Louisville
The Suns have clearly decided to rebuild, and with Clark, they get one of the five top talents of the draft. Clark can do everything -- he's long and athletic and he can play multiple positions, including point forward. His effort was inconsistent at Louisville, but he's got as much upside as anyone in the draft. If they trade away Amare Stoudemire to Golden State, they'll have a nice young core with Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Clark, Robin Lopez and (if they got the 7th pick) Stephen Curry. If that happens, the Suns won't be all that great from the get-go, but they'll be fun. The question is, will Steve Nash stay around to lead them?
15 Detroit Austin Daye 6-11 192 SF Gonzaga
Austin Daye is a kid with a ton of upside. He's super skilled and he can shoot the lights out, like a 6-11 Stephen Curry. But he's really skinny and he doesn't have a killer instinct. Ultimately he could be a 4 if he gets stronger, but for now he'll back up Tayshaun Prince at the 3. Great upside pick for the Pistons.
16 Chicago James Johnson 6-8 257 PF Wake Forest
The Bulls have wanted Johnson for a while. He's a good athlete who can play the 3 and the 4 on both ends of the floor. His game needs to develop, but when he gets going, he's something. He reminds me a little of Chicago's Tyrus Thomas in one way -- he'll play great one minute and have his coach pulling his hair out the next. With Thomas on the trade block, Johnson may ultimately be his replacement.
17 Philadelphia Jrue Holiday 6-4 199 PG UCLA
Holiday can take a huge sigh of relief. He slipped a bit, not because of his talent, but because of some concerns about a shoulder injury that were just enough to scare some teams away, a la what happened to Danny Granger with mild concerns about his knee a few years ago. This is a great pick for Philly, which gets a lottery talent at 17 and has its point guard of the future.
18 Minnesota (from Miami, rights to T. Lawson traded to Denver for future considerations) Ty Lawson 6-1 199 PG North Carolina
No, the Timberwolves aren't running a three-PG offense. They're moving Lawson to Denver for a future first-round pick. He'll be a really good backup for Chauncey Billups. He flies up and down the floor and is as steady as they come.
19 Atlanta Jeff Teague 6-2 175 PG Wake Forest
The Hawks have acquired Jamal Crawford but weren't done remaking their backcourt. Teague had the quickest first step in college basketball and is difficult to stop from getting in the paint. He's a great upside pick for Atlanta. Don't expect Mike Bibby back in Atlanta.
20 Utah Eric Maynor 6-3 164 PG VA Commonwealth
I thought they might go with Sam Young here, but I have to admit that I love this pick for the Jazz. They needed a backup for Deron Williams, and Maynor is perfect for Utah as one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft. He has a high basketball IQ and great leadership qualities. The Jazz fill a need and get a guy who I think is the most underrated player in the draft.
21 New Orleans Darren Collison 6-2 166 PG UCLA
Collison is a bit of a surprise here. The Hornets had one tiny point guard in Chris Paul and now they have two. They had bigger needs than backup point guard, but I do believe he's going to be terrific in that role ... if Chris Paul ever leaves the floor, that is.
22 Portland (from Dallas) Victor Claver 6-11 217 SF Spain
We had the Blazers pegged to take Claver with the 31st pick. I knew they really liked DeJuan Blair but they must have been scared off by his bad knees. Claver will stay overseas for maybe three years, but he's got great potential. He's athletic, skilled and one of the best up-and-coming talents in Spain. But I wonder if Portland will regret passing on Blair.
23 Sacramento (from Houston) Omri Casspi 6-9 211 SF Israel
I travel to Israel and have seen him a number of times. He's a very tough, scrappy, slashing player. He's not a shooter yet and he'll need to put on some pounds, but clearly the Kings are trying to add some toughness. Congratulations to all the basketball fans in Israel. They love the NBA and have been waiting for a first-round pick for years. The Kings are a great fit and Andres Nocioni should be the perfect mentor for him.
24 Dallas (from Portland, traded to Oklahoma City for rights to R. Beaubois) B.J. Mullens 7-1 258 C Ohio State
The Mavs are trading this pick to the Thunder for No. 25 and a future second-round pick. The Thunder have been looking to get Mullens for weeks and tried to get up as high as No. 14 to get him. Clearly, Sam Presti sees something he likes. Mullens reminds me a lot of a young Darko Milicic, for both good and bad -- he's skilled and athletic, but he doesn't really know how to play.
25 Oklahoma City (from San Antonio, traded to Dallas for rights to B.J. Mullens) Rodrigue Beaubois 6-2 182 PG France
The Thunder are making this pick for the Mavs. Dallas wanted a point guard and fell in love with Beaubois' upside. He's very long, quick and explosive athletically. He doesn't have a great feel for the game, but he should develop that overseas in the next few years.
26 Chicago (from Denver through Oklahoma City) Taj Gibson 6-10 214 PF USC
Gibson is a good pick for the Bulls in that he's long and athletic and has some upside. But with so many young, skinny frontcourt players, I'm not sure how he fits exactly.
27 Memphis (from Orlando) DeMarre Carroll 6-8 207 PF Missouri
I love this pick for the Grizzlies. He's a great energy player who flies up and down the floor, can handle the ball and creates havoc on the defensive end. He's a more skilled version of Renaldo Balkman.
28 Minnesota (from Boston) Wayne Ellington 6-5 202 SG North Carolina
OK, the Wolves finally decided to draft something other than a point guard. Ellington is a terrific shooter, which the Wolves will need with Rubio and/or Flynn on the team. He diversified his game this year and might be a bit underrated. This is a nice pick this far down in the draft.
29 LA Lakers (rights to T. Douglas traded to NY Knicks) Toney Douglas 6-2 183 SG Florida State
The Knicks fell in love with Douglas after a workout and bought this pick to get him. Douglas is a bit of a poor man's Ben Gordon, a combo guard who can really light it up. He lets the 3s fly and, unlike Gordon, is a terrific defender. This is a really good pick for New York this late.
30 Cleveland Christian Eyenga 6-6 210 SF Congo
Wow, this is a bit of a surprise with Sam Young and DeJuan Blair still on the board. I think Danny Ferry has learned well from the Spurs' model of drafting high-upside players from overseas. Eyenga is very athletic and has been compared to a young Mickael Pietrus. He's a terrific defender but pretty raw offensively. He played for the same team as Ricky Rubio, but played on the second-division squad. He's a down- the-road pick for the Cavs. We'll check back in on him in a few years.
Chad Ford's 2009 Draft Board, Round 2[size="5"][/size]
1 (31) Sacramento (traded to Portland for rights to J. Brockman) Jeff Pendergraph 6-10 240 PF Arizona State
This pick is owned by the Blazers, acquired from the Kings for the 38th pick and Sergio Rodriguez. Pendergraph is a solid pick, a big man who is pretty mobile and can rebound. I don't love this pick with DeJuan Blair, Sam Young and Chase Budinger on the board, but I'm willing to give Kevin Pritchard the benefit of the doubt.
2 (32) Washington (rights to J. Taylor traded to Houston) Jermaine Taylor 6-5 207 SG Central Florida
The Wizards traded this pick to the Rockets. Taylor's a sleeper. He's very athletic and he can really score the basketball. With Tracy McGrady ailing and perhaps on his way out, I can see why Daryl Morey went this way. A really nice pick for the Rockets.
3 (33) Portland (from LA Clippers) Dante Cunningham 6-8 227 PF Villanova
I like Cunningham, a tough, versatile player. But he's a bit of a tweener, a little undersized to play the 4. The Blazers get another young power forward, but I'm not sure they have the roster spots for all these guys.
4 (34) Denver (from Oklahoma City, rights to S. Llull traded to Houston) Sergio Llull 6-3 175 PG Spain
The Nuggets are sending this pick to the Rockets. Llull is a nice prospect coming out of Spain. He's an athletic playmaker who is getting a lot of playing time right now. I'm sure the Rockets will leave him overseas for a few years.
5 (35) Detroit (from Minnesota) DaJuan Summers 6-9 243 SF Georgetown
The Pistons seriously considered Summers at No. 15, so they are thrilled to get him at No. 35. Summers is a fantastic athlete, can shoot the ball and can play both the 3 and the 4. This is a great pick this late in the draft.
6 (36) Memphis Sam Young 6-7 223 SF Pittsburgh
Young is a great pick for the Grizzlies here. He's tough, and he can play multiple positions. I'm stunned he fell this far. I guess teams were concerned about the fact that he's already 24 years old.
7 (37) San Antonio (from Golden State through Phoenix) DeJuan Blair 6-7 277 PF Pittsburgh
Are you kidding me? How do these guys fall into San Antonio's lap? Tony Parker at 29? Ginobili late in the second? Now Blair here? This is a great pick for the Spurs. He might be able to start in San Antonio if Duncan plays the 5. This late in the draft, his knee issues aren't much of a risk; he's just a really cheap rebounder. The Spurs are getting an A+ tonight.
8 (38) Portland (from New York though Chicago, traded to Sacramento for rights to J. Pendergraph) Jon Brockman 6-7 255 PF Washington
The Blazers are picking for Sacramento here, and the Kings are clearly on a toughness kick. Brockman is a warrior in the paint and -- along with Andres Nocioni, Tyreke Evans and Omri Casspi -- should put a serious dent in Sacramento's "soft" label.
9 (39) Detroit (from Toronto) Jonas Jerebko 6-9 220 SF Sweden
Good Pistons player, a third combo forward. Jerebko is tough, runs the floor, has a great body and is really athletic. He needs more experience, but he's a nice asset.
10 (40) Charlotte (from New Jersey through Oklahoma City) Derrick Brown 6-9 225 PF Xavier
I love this pick for the Bobcats. I think Brown, had he stayed in school another year, would've been a surefire first-round pick. He's an excellent athlete; he can play the 3 and the 4; and he still has lots of upside.
11 (41) Milwaukee Jodie Meeks 6-4 211 SG Kentucky
Meeks can provide some big-time scoring off the bench. Nice pick here, although I worry about his lack of athleticism.
12 (42) LA Lakers (from Charlotte, traded rights to P. Beverley to Miami for future considerations) Patrick Beverley 6-1 172 PG Ukraine
The Lakers are sending this pick to the Heat. Beverley was playing in Ukraine a few months ago. Now he's in Miami? What a ride! He is super-athletic, can be a lockdown defender, and can play both the 1 and the 2. Nice pick for the Heat, who fell in love with him in his very first stateside workout.
13 (43) Miami (from Indiana, rights to M. Thornton traded to New Orleans for future considerations) Marcus Thornton 6-4 194 SG LSU
The Heat are sending this pick to the Hornets. Thornton played at LSU so he should feel right at home. He's a nice pick. He's a big-time scorer, but his lack of size and athleticism hurt his stock a bit. He has a chance to stick.
14 (44) Detroit (rights to C. Budinger traded to Houston for future considerations) Chase Budinger 6-7 206 SG Arizona
The Pistons sent this pick to the Rockets. Budinger is a good athlete who can shoot the lights out, and I'm a little surprised he slipped this far. Two years ago he looked like a lottery pick. He can really help Houston with his shooting. The Rockets, for not having had any picks at the start of this thing, have had a nice draft.
15 (45) Minnesota (from Philadelphia through Miami, traded to Dallas) Nick Calathes 6-5 185 PG Florida
Calathes is now property of the Mavs, and he's a real steal here, a terrific passer with a great feel for the game. John Hollinger's Draft Rater loved him. I think his deal with Greece created some ambiguity and caused his stock to slip.
16 (46) Cleveland (from Chicago) Danny Green 6-7 208 SF North Carolina
Green is a great pick for Cleveland. He's very versatile, shoots the ball well and is a solid athlete. He could make this team and be a very solid rotation player in Cleveland.
17 (47) Minnesota (from Miami) Henk Norel 6-11 211 PF Netherlands
Norel is the first player drafted that I didn't have in my top 60. He's an energy guy who isn't especially skilled. I wasn't wowed by him at the Reebok Eurocamp. But I defer to Pete Philo, the Wolves' excellent international scout -- he runs the camp and knows his stuff.
18 (48) Phoenix Taylor Griffin 6-7 240 SF Oklahoma
Blake's brother has a big night, too. He's very tough, he's athletic, he has a great motor and he can even shoot a bit. I'm not sure he's an NBA player, but this is a solid second-round pick.
19 (49) Atlanta Sergiy Gladyr 6-5 190 SG Ukraine
I saw Gladyr play in Italy at the Reebok Eurocamp this year, and I was really impressed. He's a good athlete, a good scorer and a poised player. He'll continue to develop in Europe, but someday this could be a solid pick for the Hawks.
20 (50) Utah Goran Suton 6-10 245 C Michigan State
I liked Suton at Michigan State, but he's sort of like Kosta Koufos and I'm not sure he'll actually play for the Jazz for a while. Look for him to go play in Europe for a few years.
21 (51) San Antonio (from New Orleans through Toronto) Jack McClinton 6-1 185 SG Miami
Another value pick for the Spurs. He's an Eddie House clone. He can shoot the lights out and plays with a lot of energy.
22 (52) Indiana (from Dallas) A.J. Price 6-2 193 PG Connecticut
The Pacers wanted to get a point guard in the first round but couldn't pass on Hansbrough. With Price, they get a solid guard who doesn't do anything spectacularly, but he's steady and they could use that. If Jarrett Jack doesn't re-sign, Price could make the team.
23 (53) San Antonio (from Houston) Nando De Colo 6-5 185 PG France
Another really nice pick for the Spurs. He was the best player at the Reebok Eurocamp. He has a great feel for the game, and he shoots it. High basketball IQ. He's not a great athlete, but I'm a fan.
24 (54) Charlotte (from San Antonio, rights to R. Vaden traded to Oklahoma City) Robert Vaden 6-5 205 SG UAB
The Bobcats will send this pick to the Thunder. Vaden is a terrific shooter, but he's old and a bit one-dimensional. I don't love this pick for Oklahoma City. Not sure how he fits with Harden.
25 (55) Portland (from Denver) Patrick Mills 6-1 175 PG St. Mary's (CA)
The Blazers saved Patty Mills from slipping out of the draft. If he could have jumped right after the Olympics, he would have gone much higher. He's super quick and a great kid, but he's small and a lot of teams don't believe he's a point guard. The Blazers don't really have a roster spot for him, but he might be able to continue to improve overseas.
26 (56) Dallas (from Portland) Ahmad Nivins 6-9 242 PF St. Joseph's
I like Nivins a lot. He is big and has a terrific motor. He also was huge on the boards for Saint Joseph's this year. Teams are always looking for bigs who can score, so Nivins has a chance to make it to the next level.
27 (57) Phoenix (from Orlando through Oklahoma City, traded to Cleveland) Emir Preldzic 6-9 220 SF Slovenia
Preldzic is an interesting prospect. He has a great feel for the game, but his lack of shooting ability, combined with so-so athleticism, scared a few teams away. He's a nice pick for Cleveland's future.
28 (58) Boston Lester Hudson 6-2 190 SG Tenn. Martin
Hudson is a fun pick here. He's a big-time scorer who jumps out of the gym, can handle and can shoot. For an NBA prospect, he's pretty old, and he hasn't played against great competition, but he can really ball.
29 (59) LA Lakers Chinemelu Elonu 6-10 235 PF Texas A&M
Elonu is a big man who can rebound and block shots. He actually has a pretty decent upside, something you normally don't find this far down in the draft.
30 (60) Miami (from Cleveland) Robert Dozier 6-9 215 SF Memphis
So Dozier is Mr. Irrelevant. He's long, athletic and really skinny. He has never lived up to his talent, but he has a lot of raw athletic ability.