Here is Dirty Wudders picks for the 2009 NBA Draft. Obviously this is subject to change based on teams moving up, down or out of the draft completely, but for now this is what we have. Feel free to disagree in the comments section. On to the picks...
1. LA Clippers - PF Blake Griffin, 6-10 Sophomore, Oklahoma: The Clippers committed to Griffin almost immediately after winning the lottery on May 19th. This was a no-brainer. Griffin has all the tools to have a successful pro career and should make a positive contribution right away.
2. Memphis Grizzlies – C Hasheem Thabeet, 7-3 Junior, Connecticut: The Grizzlies will try to trade this pick, possibly in a package with Minnesota. If they stay put look for them to address their biggest weakness of rebounding and shot blocking.
3. OK City Thunder – PG Ricky Rubio, 6-4, Spain: This is another pick that could possibly be traded to a number of teams looking to land a PG in either Rubio or possibly Tyreke Evans. If the Thunder decide to go with Rubio, however, he would compliment Russell Westbrook nicely in the backcourt. Rubio was known to play off the ball at times in Spain, meaning he and Westbrook could be on the floor at the same time.
4. Sacramento Kings – SG Tyreke Evans, 6-5, Freshman, Memphis: Look for the Kings to possibly swap picks with the Thunder if the Thunder pick Rubio. The Kings need a PG to complement Kevin Martin and Evans could be molded into a dominant one.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves – SG James Harden, 6-5 Sophomore, Arizona St.: Harden is an explosive talent who can probably step right in and contribute to an NBA team.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves – PG Stephen Curry, 6-1, Junior, Davidson: Curry is the best pure shooter in the draft and the Knicks will make a run at him. The T’wolves have 4 first round picks and will try to package to move up or down. They would love to draft Rubio or Thabeet. If they cannot move up, look for them to swap with the Knicks, who covet Curry.
7. Golden State Warriors – PG Jonny Flynn, 6-0, Sophomore, Syracuse: The Warriors need a PG and Flynn is the most NBA-ready talent available. There should be other PG options available to Golden State, but Flynn is the pick in this spot if Curry is off the board.
8. New York Knicks – PG Jrue Holiday, 6-4, Freshman, UCLA: If the Knicks cannot strike a deal to move up, it looks like club President Donnie Walsh will select Holiday. He was held back a little bit playing in UCLA’s system and could fit D’Antoni’s “7 seconds or less” offense. They would be wise to trade down a few slots and still grab him but the Knicks have not made a smart move in years.
9. Toronto Raptors – SG DeMar DeRozan, 6-6, Freshman, USC: Big and athletic, DeRozan is a nice pick at 9. There are questions about his readiness to take the next step, but it would be hard to pass up someone with his ability.
10. Milwaukee Bucks – PG Brandon Jennings, 6-1, Italy: Talented PG who skipped college to play overseas. Stock seems to be falling but Bucks could use a PG to develop if they lose Ramon Sessions, which seems likely.
11. New Jersey Nets – PF Jordan Hill, 6-10 Junior, Arizona: The Nets could use some toughness down low and Hill should provide just that. A bruiser with decent offensive skills, this pick would be a steal if he drops to 11 for New Jersey.
12. Charlotte Bobcats – SG Gerald Henderson, 6-8, Junior, Duke: Gerald Henderson could fit nicely into a 6th man role while eventually taking the job of Raja Bell. Strong, good passer, quick first step, will fit in on Jordan’s Bobcats.
13. Indiana Pacers – PF DeJuan Blair, 6-6 Sophomore, Pittsburgh: With the talent to contribute right away and the toughness to match, DeJuan Blair should give the Pacers a strong presence down low alongside Roy Hibbert.
14. Phoenix Suns – SF, James Johnson, 6-8, Wake Forest: A combo forward with a mid-range game, Johnson fits in to the Suns up-tempo style.
15. Detroit Pistons – C, B.J. Mullens, 7-0 Freshman, Ohio State: He may be a year or two away yet, but Mullens has lots of potential. He’s built like a beast and if he polishes up parts of his game this could turn out to be a great pick down the road.
16. Chicago Bulls – Terrence Williams, 6-6, Senior, Louisville: Unselfish, defensive minded, up-tempo swingman could help fill the void if Gordon leaves. Needs to develop outside shot.
17. Philadelphia 76ers – PG Eric Maynor, 6-3 Senior, VCU: A true point guard the Sixers will need assuming Andre Miller is out the door. A four year player at VCU, Maynor should be able to step in and lead the offense right out of the gate. Not a sexy pick, but a reliable, experienced addition to the Sixers backcourt.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves – PG, Ty Lawson, 5-11, Junior, North Carolina: Proven winner will provide stability to the T’Wolves. Should complement Randy Foye, Al Jefferson and Kevin Lowe well while providing quickness and reliability.
19. Atlanta Hawks – SG, Wayne Ellington, 6-5 Junior, UNC: Solid shooter coming from a team that plays a pro-style offense. His ability to spot up and knock down long range shots makes him desirable, but one of the knocks on Ellington is his inability to create his own shots.
20. Utah Jazz – PF, Tyler Hansbrough, 6-10, Senior, North Carolina: The third straight UNC player chosen, Hansbrough just fits in with Utah and Jerry Sloan. Probably will never be an all-star but will out work other players and be a successful player in the league. Needs to continue to improve his mid-range and outside shooting.
21. New Orleans Hornets – PG, Jeff Teague, 6-5 Sophomore, Wake Forest: All signs point to the Hornets unloading this pick and dumping salary along with it. Teague has speed and scoring ability but probably needs some time to develop, so if the Hornets don’t dump him he would be served well learning from CP3.
22. Dallas Mavericks– SF, Earl Clark, 6-10, Junior, Louisville: Big athletic combo forward. Good value pick.
23. Sacramento Kings – SF, Omri Casspi, 6-9, Israel: High energy player. The Kings are in rebuilding mode so he’ll have time to develop.
24. Portland Trailblazers – SF Chase Budinger, 6-10, Junior, Arizona: Pure shooter will open up the floor for Brandon Roy and the big guys.
25. OK City Thunder – SF Sam Young, 6-7 Senior, Pittsburgh: Good defender and rebounder. Young is a hustler who can score in the paint.
26. Chicago Bulls – PF Austin Daye, 6-10, Gonzaga: Daye may be too skinny to step in and contribute right away but has the potential to be a very talented NBA player.
27. Memphis Grizzlies – PF Josh Heytvelt, 6-11 Senior, Gonzaga: Heytvelt will provide size and decent perimeter range for Memphis.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves – PF Victor Claver, 6-9, Spain: Claver could play overseas another year to develop. Should be NBA ready next year.
29. LA Lakers – SF Jonas Jerebko, 6-9, Italy: The Lakers can keep him off the books and help to avoid the luxury tax by letting him stay in Italy for another year.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers – SF DaJuan Summers, 6-8, Georgetown: Summers can contribute immediately off the bench for the Cavs and develop into an offensive threat.
Thoughts? Complaints?
It might happen this week, Phillies fans. We may actually get to see Carlos Carrasco pitch in the big leagues. Shocking, I know, but definitely a possibility. With Antonio Bastardo being placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder strain, the Phils are likely to call up either Carrasco or Andrew Carpenter to take his place through the All-Star break. Carpenter does have limited big league experience, he pitched on May 16th of this season for the Phillies against the Nationals, going 4.1 innings and giving up 5 runs on 8 hits. Carrasco has been one of the Phils most highly publicized minor leaguers over the past few years, but as he has struggled this year questions have begun to surface as to what role he would fill with the club. Here are his stats on the year:
The stage is set. LSU and Texas will battle it out in a Best of Three game series to determine who will be the 2009 National Champion of College Baseball. Both schools have a decorated history, and have two of the best programs in the nation. Texas being the number one team in the nation will have their hands full with a very good team in LSU who just so happens to be ranked 3rd in the nation. These two teams have taken very different paths to get here.
Big weekend at Citizens Bank Park as the fackin’ Red Sox are in town to take on the Phils. The Phils and Sox have won the last two World Series’, and come into this series as two of the best teams in baseball again this year. The Fightins might have their hands full this weekend, as the pitching matchups seem to favor Boston.
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