One man’s Big Board has Brandon Jennings second best in NBA draft
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With the draft Thursday, it’s time to unveil my 2009 NBA Draft Big Board.
During and after the draft, I will be using my Big Board to analyze the value of the picks. My big board won’t resemble the pick order which is a good thing because there’s always busts up top and great value at the bottom of the draft.
As a reference, I consider there to be much more volatility with my lower rankings. I haven’t spent as much time scouting these prospects and a difference of 10 spots at the bottom of the list is about the same as a few spots at the top.
1. Blake Griffin, F/C, Oklahoma - Griffin has held the top spot on this list since he decided to return to Norman, Okla., last year.
2. Brandon Jennings, PG, USA - The best high schooler in 2008 has grown as a basketball player and as a man in Europe.
3. Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain - The highest ceiling in the draft, Rubio will have to start competing soon.
4. Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut - Should challenge Dwight Howard for the blocks title for years to come.
5. James Harden, SG, Arizona State - Bigger and more athletic than scouts thought he was in college.
6. Stephen Curry, G, Davidson - Best shooter in the draft, he will adjust to the NBA PG role just fine.
7. Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisville - A three-position player with elite athleticism.
8. Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis - Long combo-guard can score but can he pass?
9. Earl Clark, F, Louisville - With all of the PG buzz, Clark has flown under the radar.
10. DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC - Best upside behind Rubio and Griffin, but will he reach it?
11. Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona - Can be a solid starting PF for over a decade but doesn’t show All-Star potential.
12. Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse - Isaiah Thomas rates prospects by Intensity, Concentration, and Energy — Flynn has I.C.E. in his veins.
13. Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA - Big, smart, and balanced play, but he struggled with some of the quicker guards.
14. Jeff Teague, G, Wake Forest - Combo-guard could be a future Sixth Man Award winner.
15. James Johnson, F, Wake Forest - Tough and athletic but still needs some time to develop.
16. Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina - High floor and a higher ceiling than people anticipated.
17. Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina - Experienced and ready to take his winning edge to the next level.
18. Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina - Unlimited range and an explosive leaper, but he has had an unimpressive draft process.
19. Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke - Extremely tough and plays above the rim, but was he a one-year-wonder?
20. Sam Young, SF, Pittsburgh - Age (24) hurts his stock, but he is NBA ready.
21. B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State - With few 7-footers someone will gamble on his upside.
22. Eric Maynor, PG, Virginia Commonwealth - Plenty of time on the court, but it wasn’t against the best competition.
23. Austin Daye, G/F, Gonzaga - Can shoot over anyone, but what else can he do?
24. DaJuan Summers, F, Georgetown - Tough tweener with a soft stroke.
25. DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh - Elite college player, but he needs to keep weight off and improve athleticism.
26. Nick Calathes, G, Florida - Did signing with a Greek team scare teams off, or help him?
27. Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona - All the tools you want in a prospect, but he doesn’t display a killer instinct.
28. Toney Douglas, G, Florida State - Undersized combo-guard will be a spark plug off the bench.
29. Jermaine Taylor, SG, Central Florida - Possibly the steal of the draft, Taylor has serious first-round talent.
30. Patrick Mills, PG, St. Mary’s - Rubio isn’t the only one with Olympic PG experience.
31. Omri Casspi, SF, Israel - A pure gamer, he thrives in 5-on-5 action.
32. Darren Collison, PG, UCLA - Great defender in college, but who can he guard in the NBA?
33. Jeff Pendergraph, PF, Arizona State - Hidden behind Harden at ASU, he’s possibly the next impressive second round PF.
34. Derrick Brown, F, Xavier - Potentially a great NBA role player.
35. Marcus Thornton, G, Louisiana State - SEC Player of the Year may struggle against the size.
36. Victor Claver, F, Spain - Will refine his game overseas before hitting the NBA.
37. Nando De Colo, G, France - Huge PG will have to adjust to the speed of the NBA.
38. Jonas Jerebko, F, Sweden - Isn’t the prettiest player, but he fights to get the job done.
39. Jack McClinton, G, Miami - He can add nine points in three shots off the bench.
40. Jodie Meeks, SG, Kentucky - Starter potential but why did he pass on a national championship opportunity?
41. Danny Green, SF, North Carolina - Terrific role player was understated in title run.
42. Taj Gibson, PF, USC - Big, athletic, and played with/against premium talent for three seasons.
43. DeMarre Carroll, F, Missouri - Relentless hustle, but he’s caught between the small and power forward.
44. Dante Cunningham, F, Villanova - Very good jumper will solidify his spot on the court.
45. Josh Heytvelt, PF, Gonzaga - First-round tools, but where is his head?
46. Paul Harris, SG, Syracuse - PF trapped in a SG’s body.
47. Dionte Christmas, SG, Temple - Will add extra points to any roster.
48. Patrick Beverley, PG, USA - Started in Arkansas, developed in Europe, hungry for the NBA.
49. Jon Brockman, PF, Washington - College standout was MIA during some of the draft process.
50. Joe Ingles, F, Australia - Professional game but a semi-pro athlete.
51. A.J. Price, PG, Connecticut - Scouts have had time to downgrade his game, but he plays like a winner.
52. Victor Faverani, F/C, Brazil - Another Brazilian post who can get out and run.
53. Jeff Adrian, F, Connecticut - Defensive specialist may not have enough O to earn PT.
54. Jeremy Pargo, PG, Gonzaga - Bouncy PG led Gonzaga to many impressive wins.
55. Ahmad Nivins, PF, St. Joseph’s - Scoring post could surprise teams off the bench.
56. Leo Lyons, F, Missouri - Can play inside and out but doesn’t always bring his A-game.
57. Wesley Matthews, G/F, Marquette - The best NBA game of Marquette’s high-octane trio.
58. A.J. Abrams, G, Texas - One of college basketball’s premier shooters.
59. Rodrique Beaubois, PG, France - Will work players up and down in practice but how long until he’s ready to play.
60. Dar Tucker, G/F, DePaul - Great leaper needs to work on his shooting.
61. Goran Suton, C/F, Michigan State - Big man can extend the D and works hard to rebound.
62. Sergio Llull, PG, Spain - Your standard European shooter, and he can pass too.
63. Lee Cummard, G/F, BYU - Good size and stroke, but he has a few years on most the prospects at age 24.
64. Micah Downs, G/F, Gonzaga - Former HS All-American was suppressed among the Zags’ offensive weapons.
65. Jerel McNeal, SG, Marquette - Had an opportunity to play the point but didn’t flourish.
66. Robert Dozier, SF, Memphis - Really improved his shooting as a senior.
67. Tyrese Rice, PG, Boston College - Heady PG can score in bursts.
68. Josh Shipp, SG, UCLA - Potentially a good role player but isn’t quite big enough.
69. Henk Norel, F/C, Netherlands - Offensively inclined but where’s the D?
70. Ben Woodside, PG, North Dakota State - Man can he shoot, if only he caught a late growth spurt.
71. Luke Nevill, C, Utah - A true 7-footer, it should be enough for him to find a roster.
-- John Lorge