What a year of college basketball it’s been. We’ve seen so many good teams rise above expectations like Kansas and Memphis. We’ve seen teams falter miserably, yes you Notre Dame. The power shift at the top has been exciting to watch as it seems as though at least 1 top team is knocked of their horse. As the season winds down, we begin to look at where we will see these players on the big stage. Here’s our first edition of the Binary Basketball 2009 NBA Mock draft.

There’s a few things I’d like to say about my judgment before you start hating on me, you won’t though because everyone loves me, right? I don’t see the Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio coming out this year. He’s seems to be comfortable in Europe, but he’d make a fine point guard. Secondly I’d like to point out that I tend to favor the guy with a huge potential, rather than the less athletic but more fundamentally sound guy. Third, I like guys with NBA size. I just feel like size plays such a big role in today’s game. And lastly, teams have not been taken into account yet.

Also if you don’t see any other underclassmen that you feel should be here, I most likely have them staying another year.

On to the goods…

1 Blake Griffin PF Oklahoma 6′10

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Amare Stoudamire Worst Case: David Lee

The first thing that jumps out at you is his athleticism. He is an amazing athlete for his size. At 6′10 and around 250, he just wows you. He has decent post skills that could be improved and is a monster on the boards. His jumper is also decent for a 4. His intensity and desire to win is unquestioned, and that’s what makes him our number 1. He does get a little to aggressive, and that’s the only flaw I see in his game. I see him as a guy who floats around 20 and 10 for a while.

2 James Harden SG Arizona St. 6′5

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Manu Ginobli (better passer) Worst Case: Big Jet Terry

Harden is the most complete perimeter scorer in the draft.He can score at will from anywhere on the court. He can absolutely stroke it from deep. What i most like about him is his passing ability. He is a little small at 6′5 and isn’t a tremendous athlete, but he is too good not to become at least a consistent scorer in the mid to high teens. I think he can become a perennial 20+ point scorer.

3 Hasheem Thabeet C Uconn 7′3

NBA Comparison: Best Case: Dikembe Mutumbo Worst Case Samuel Dalembert

Thabeet is one of the most wowing physical specimens in the draft, The doubters say that he’s to inexperienced and too raw. I say he has improved tremendously over the past years. His inside game is improving and he’s the best defensive player in the country. He may not end up an offensive impact player but he will defend the paint effectively from day 1. I think he will evolve into a double double guy who leads the league in blocked shots.

4 Greg Monroe PF Georgetown 6′10

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Pau Gasol(with better ball skills) Worst Case: Andray Blatche(with jumper)

Monroe is the most skilled freshman in the country. He can do almost anything on the court. He can hit the three, take his man off the dribble, be effective off the screen ‘n roll, and find the open man. This guy is good. I see him being a star in this league. His real downfall is that he isn’t as physical as he needs to be, yet.

5 Jordan Hill PF Arizona 6′10

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Chris Bosh Worst Caset: Chris Wilcox

Man has he improved this season. Thought of as a mid-to late first rounder, he became a definite lottery guy. he draws many comparisons to Chris Bosh for his body type and style of play. I see as a guy who will score in the high teens and average just under 10 boards a game. The thing that worries me about Hill is that he could be the bust of the draft.

6 Al-Farouq Aminu SF Wake Forrest 6′9

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Josh Howard/Josh Smith Worst Case: Corey Brewer

I love Aminu. He has all the tools to be a good player in the NBA. He has good length and size for the NBA, is a great defender, and has a raw but improving game.  I think he can be the top defender for his team while averaging around 15 pts a game. He does have the bust potential which scares most more than it does me.

7 Gerald Henderson SG Duke 6′5

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Andre Igoudala Worst Case: Dahntay Jones

Henderson is a tremendous athlete. He could turn into a lock down defender at the next level. He has showed that he can score consistently and hit the open jumper. His jumper needs work but he is improving. I see him as a mid teen  scorer with good defense.

8 Willie Warren G Oklahoma 6′4

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Ben Gordan/Russel Westbrook Worst Case: Rashad McCants

Warren should battle Henderson to be the next best SG after Harden. He can play both guard positions, but at 6′4 that may be a little stretch. he can shoot the ball very well, and has the potential to be a very good defender.  He could be a mid-teen scorer with solid D.

9 Brandon Jennings PG Lottomatica Roma 6′2

NBA Comparison: Best Case: Gilbert Arenas/Tony Parker/Derrick Rose Worst Case: Sebastian Telfair

Jennings more of a true point guard then Teague. They will be closely compared in this years draft. Jennings has a mix between Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas. Like Parker, he gets to the cup at will but doesn’t really have a 3pt shot. Like Arenas he likes to take over and can score at will, but they both can get too carried away. Kinda like Derrick Rose. He could have a good rookie campaign just like Rose and be the starting PG for a franchise from day 1. I like Warren a tad better though because of his shooting ability.

10 Jeff Teague G Wake Forrest 6′2

NBA Comparison: Best Case: Devin Harris Worst Case: Lou Williams

This guy can score.  A big decision between him, Warren  and Brandon Jennings may arise for a franchise in the middle of the lottery. I give him the edge in overall scoring skill set. However, I like Jennings potential and overall point guard skill set. He is to small to play the 2 but more teams at looking at playing two scoring point guards which helps his stock. He should be a good mid-teen scorer.

11 Austin Daye SF Gonzaga 6′10

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Kevin Durant Worst Case: Vladamir Radmonivic (better athlete and shot blocker)

The homeless man’s Kevin Durant. He should be able to be everything Jared Jeffries could’ve been. He has such a sweet jumper, both off the catch and shoot, and off the dribble. he is very weak at only 190 and that could be a problem. I don’t think he can be moved to the 2 either. He is most likely a star or just a spot up 3pt shooter. On defense he is a good shot blocker, but again he is too weak.

12 Earl Clark F Louisville 6′9

NBA Comparison: Best Case: Marvin Williams(much better shot blocker, rebounder) Worst Case: Julian Wright

Clark has an NBA and has good potential. He can block shots and has the potential to play the 4. There are to big question marks for me though. his jump shot and ability to guard 3s. He has bust potential. He could end up being a star though, too hard to tell right now.

13 Craig Brackins F Iowa St 6′10

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Channing Fyre (what could’ve been) Worst Case: Channing Frye (what he is now)

Brackins could possibly play all 3 front court positions. He has a very good jumper for his position and size. He also has good post moves and a little hook. He’s very long and could be a big matchup problem. He is a little to weak as he doesn’t possess PF strength.

14 Stephen Curry G Davidson 6′2

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Reggie Miller (much smaller) Worst Case: Roger Mason (much quicker)

Curry could go anywhere from the mid-lottery to early 20’s. He has the game of Reggie Miller, but is much smaller at only 6′2. He has played PG well this year but doesn’t seem to be an NBA PG. His NBA success will most  likely depend on his surroundings. If he plays along side a big point guard or a playmaking wing, he could be a great scorer. His ability to play defense scares me. He will get ripped up by NBA 2’s.

15 Demar Derozan SG USC 6′6

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Vince Carter/Gerald Green(what could’ve been) Worst Case: Gerald green (what he is now)

Derozan can absolutely jump out the gym. He is probably the leaper in this entire draft. He was considered a high lottery pick but then struggled at the collegiate level. He has shown that he’s more Nick Young than he is OJ Mayo. He will most likely go to a team that are looking for a bang or bust pick. This guy has one of the best potentials in the draft but could end up a D-Leaguer.

16 Eric Maynor PG VCU 6′3

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Sam Cassel Worst Case: Anthony Johnson

Maynor can do it all. He can hit the jumper, get to the rim, and find the open man. He is however, a below average defender.  He very wuick, but also very slender weighing in at only 160 lb. If he can gain 10 more lbs of muscle, he should be a starter in this league.

17 Dajuan Blair F/C Pitt 6′6

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Paul Millsap Worst Case: Reggie Evans

Blair is a beast on the boards. He can box out anyone effectively. The big knock on him is his size at 6′6. He does have a very long wingspan at 7′3 but that doesn’t make up for his height. He may not be quick enough to guard 4’s and that will hurt him. He doesn’t have to much potential but should atleast be a top rebounder for his team.

18 Cole Aldrich C Kanas 6′10

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Emeka Okafor Worst Case: Desagana Diop

Alrich is a good rebounder and has NBA size. He is an average athlete and that damages his potential. He has a few post moves but i doubt any of them will be affective in the NBA. He will most likely live of of getting good position and offensive boards.

19 Chase Budinger SG Arizona 6′7

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Brent Barry Worst Case: Morris Almond

Budinger can leap very well and  hit the three with ease. He has good fundamentals and understanding of the game. He is very thin and can’t finish well if there’s contact. His mid-range game needs work, but he could be very good if he can develop that knock ‘em dead mid-range pull up jumper. I don’t see it happening though.

20 Damion James F Texas 6′7

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Matt Harpring/Luc Bha a Moute (better slasher) Worst Case: Carl Landry

James is very good rebounder for his size. His game is very similar Bhah a Moute’s. He is undersized for a 4 put plays like one. If he can prove that he can guard 3’s, some team will be very happy to have him.

21 Sam Young F Pitt 6′7

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: James Posey (better in post) Worst Case: Joey Graham

Young has been the go to guy for a very good Pitt team.  He has NBA 3pt range and can also score in the post. He is a very strong perimeter defender. The thing I don’t like about him is his ability to create his own shot. That makes him more of a role player than a big impact player.

22 Evan Turner G/F Ohio St 6′7

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Anthony Parker (bigger) Worst Case: Thabo Sefolosha

Turner is Mr Everything for the buckeyes. He doesn’t have star potential but could be a very good role player. He rebounds well for his position and takes good shots. He is very versatile, scoring in many ways. He is a project on defense however, but he has room to improve.

23 BJ Mullens C Ohio St 7′

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Chris Kaman/Brad Miller Worst Case: Kwame Brown/Patrick O’Bryant

I know, I know this goes against my beliefs of potential and size. BJ has NBA 5 size and has raw but improving moves. He is also a decent athlete for his size. i really dont see him coming anywhere near his potential though. Maybe 15:1 ratio favoring bust. The slight chance he does pan out, and isn’t a D-Leager or the next Patrick O’Bryant or Kwame Brown, he sits at 24.

24 Donatas Mojiejunas F Zalgiris 7′

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Dirk Nowitzki Worst Case: Nikloz Tskitishvili

Here we go again, the next Dirk wanna be. Again this goes against my potential beliefs but he just seems to weak to play the 4, and too slow to play the 3. He does have a nice jumper and is 7′ tall but just the track record of these type of European players, makes me call him out to be a bust right away.

25 Dajaun Summers F Georgetown 6′8

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Wilson Chandler/Jeff Green Worst Case: Jared Jeffries

Like his former teammate, Summers can do almost anything on the court. He doesn’t have many weaknesses. Why is he much less heralded than Jeff Green? He doesn’t do may things good either. He’s passable on most things but doesn’t standout in each category. he still should be a good role player though.

26 Daren Collison PG UCLA 6′

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Brevin Knight Worst Case: Kevin Ollie

Collison is very quick and athletic. He is small at only 6′ and isn’t the strongest of guys. He can get to rim at will and pass very well. His poor jumper will hurt his stock and his play in the NBA. He still could be a passable starting PG though.

27 James Johnson F Wake Forrest 6′8

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Andres Nocioni Worst Case: Ryan Gomes

Johnson is a good rebounder and pesky defender. He’ll get in your face and make nothing easy. He has the potential to play both forward positions but is a tweener. He’ll most likely be an undersized 4.

28 Terrance Williams G/F Louisville 6′6

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Brandon Rush Worst Case: Dominic McGuire

Williams is a good defender and rebounder. He should be an avid defender in the NBA. He doesn’t shoot the ball all to well. He’ll be a role player who comes off the bench to play D.

29 Patrick Mills PG St Mary’s 5′11

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Tony Parker Worst Case: Dee Brown

Mills is probably one of the quickest guys on the court these days. He shocased that on Australia’s national team this summer. He is a little wild with the ball and gets to out of control. He’s still a little bit of a mystery but i think he’ll be a decent 1.

30 Gani Lawal PF Georgia Tech 6′9

NBA Comparisons: Best Case: Chris Wilcox Worst Case: Mikki MooreLawal is a very active player. He gets a lot of boards and putbacks. He’ll live off his hustle. He is very raw on offense, and isn’t improving fast but he could be a decent role player.

Related posts:

1. “Studs and Duds” 2009 NBA Mock Draft
2. “Rubio Has Arrived” 2009 NBA Mock Draft
3. 2009 NBA Mock Draft – Stubbs
4. The Sacramento King’s 2009 NBA Draft Options
5. Patty Mills Testing the 2009 NBA Draft