North Carolina has finally done it. After 3 years of being one of the favorites, they have finally done it. They dominated the field, having all their wins come by double digits. What seemed to be a disappointing tournament was not that disappointing in risers and fallers as far as the draft. We saw some players bolster their stocks, and others left wondering if they’ll be picked. March Madness also left some studs in the shadows. They are left with nothing more to show with little attention in the NIT. The focus now turns to the draft for these players. The draft isn’t as strong as last year and is definitely guard heavy. This will leave many good guards in the second round.

Studs

Wayne Ellington: Have you ever seen a player’s stock rise this fast? Ellington has jumped from the late first round bubble to, who some people are saying, a lottery pick. He was the best perimeter scorer this march and April. He did it all for the Tar Heels. He hit the 3, created his own shot, and even played hard on defense. The question remains if he will enter the draft. With this much hype, you better bet on it.

Tywon Lawson: Another star Tar Heel. He was always the fastest guy on the court, even with a bum toe. While the spotlight was on Ellington, I wondered why he didn’t get as much media recognition. I’m sure the scouts won’t forget that 8 steal performance and his ease while facing the press. He established himself as a sure fire fist rounder now.

Johnny Flynn: I know, I know 3 guards but these guys definitely boosted their draft stock over the last month. Last mock, I left Flynn out because I thought he would stay. I really think him being a mid to late first rounder will pull him out of college. The way he played during the Big East tourney and March Madness has him a first rounder, for now. He never runs out of gas and energy and some NBA contender will be itching to get him on their squad.

Duds

Austin Daye: I still had him a top 15 guy in my last mock. He has fallen even before that, but I still had faith in him. The tourney was a mess for him. Even though his Zags reached the Sweet 16, he stood in the shadows. It was mostly done by seniors Micah Downs, Jeremy Pargo, and Josh Heytvelt. He doesn’t even seem like a pro anymore. He should definitely stay in college to avoid the D-league.

Darren Collison: He, and his Bruins, haven’t played up to par this season. He is almost a sure second rounder at this point. Doesn’t seem that bad but he was expected to be taken in the mid first round to late lottery range. He looks like only the 7th or 8th best point guard now. Big disappointment. Also, another note is that he got ripped by Eric Maynor in the first round. Not something scouts will let off easily.

Jeff Teague: A top ten guy prior to the tourney is now out of the lottery for most. He didn’t score well, and has never passed well. He is relying on the regular season to boost his status. He has been nonchalant for a while and his team got bounced early. Not a good end for him in a Wake uniform.

2009 NBA Mock Draft

1 Sacramento Kings- Blake Griffin F Oklahoma 6′10

The kings are really hoping Rubio comes overseas. I don’t see it happening. They have a huge need at point guard but there’s no way there taking Brandon Jennings. They are gonna want to trade this pick if Rubio isn’t coming over. The other two guys they could consider are Thabeet or Harden. They already have Kevin Martin and Spencer Hawes though. Some team will overpay to get griffin though, hint OKC.

2 Washington Wizards- Hasheem Thabeet C Unconn 7′3

The Wizards will look to solidify their starting 5 with this pick. It  comes down to 2 guys, Hasheem Thabeet or James Harden. Thabeet gives them a perennial top 5 shot blocker and a potential post scorer. Harden gives them a solid starting 5 in Gilbert, Harden, Butler, Jamison, and Haywood.The Wizards pick defense over Offense and select the big man from Uconn.

3 LA Clippers- James Harden G Arizona St. 6′5

Unless they get the 1st pick, they have no other choice but to trade this pick. They are feeling their choice to accept huge long-term contracts right now.  Harden would probably become the 6th man and be instant offense for them. If B-Diddy gets traded, the Clippers will experiment with two playmaking 2s in their backcourt. Look for the Raps to jump heavily on this pick.

4 OKC Thunder- Ed Davis F 6′9 North Carolina

Surprise, surprise. If the Tar Heels lose all 4 of their stars (highly probable) he might not like the idea of  playing along side a bunch of freshman. His stock  is high and he came off a great championship game. He was considered a top ten pick during the regular season if he declared, but with good workouts, don’t be surprised if he’s in the top 5. The thunder will use him from day one to pick up the boards and be an athletic force at the 4. The Thunder can’t afford to mess up on another big man.

5 Memphis Grizzlies- Greg Monroe F Georgetown 6′10

Memphis needs a 4, badly. They can pick up a point guard later. With 2 big time 4’s available they’ll take either Jordan Hill or Greg Monroe. They take Monroe’s high post skills to compliment Marc Gasol’s inside game. It gives them  two talented scoring big men, any team could use that.

6 Minnesota T-Wolves- Brandon Jennings G Virtus Roma 6′2

The T-wolves have a glaring need at PG. They need a pure point guard that can attack the basket. Jennings fits the role very well. He is a scary pick though. they might be taking what they already have in Telfair and he played a different game overseas.

7 GS Warriors- Jordan Hill F Arizona 6′10

Hill slips to 7 with the Warriors. He is a true PF, but is the perfect Warrior 5. He has improved a lot over the season, maybe more than anyone else. He scores well in both the high and low posts. The Warriors need that daul threat if they want to get back in the playoff picture.

8 NY Knicks- Craig Brackins F Iowa State 6′10

The Knicks solidify there big man rotation with this reach. Brackins is a versitale scorer and will fit into the system well. With the possibility of Lee and Wilcox leaving this off-season, they need to pick a big man.

9 Toronto Raptors- Chase Budingr G/F Arizona 6′7

Obviously the Raptors could use another wing. There are 3 good ones to choose from, Henderson, Derozan, and Budingr. They pick Budingr for his ability to the 3 and ability to play the 3. I think he fits best if they want to run more. He could move into their starting 5 very quickly.

10 Milwaukee Bucks- Gerald Henderson G Duke 6′5

The Bucks need to realize that Redd just wont be available for 65 games. They don’t have any glaring needs so they pick the best available player. Either Henderson or Derozan. They choose the more accomplished and safe pick in Henderson. They won’t miss a beat with him.

11 New Jersey Nets- Earl Clark F Louisville 6′9

The Nets need one more impact player to get into the playoffs. Picking Calrke could be the solution. He’s very long and athletic. He can score inside and help out with frequent blocked shots. Net fans should be ready for countless alley-oops from Harris to Clark.

12 Indiana Pacers- Demar Derozan G USC 6′6

The Pacers fall into the weak spot of big men. They really need a C but will get a nice consolation prize. They get the high flyer from Compton and hope for the best. He should sure up their SG position. Expect him to be a game changer in transition for the Pacers.

13 Charlotte Bobcats- Cole Aldrich F/C Kansas 6′10

The Bobcats would like to move Okafor back to the 4. As you see, I have most teams picking for position rather than for best talent. They could use another wing to back up Raja Bell and Gerald Wallace but Aldrich could solve their C troubles.

14 Phoenix Suns- Al Foruq Aminu F Wake Forrest 6′9

This is the dream situation for the Suns. They get the long term replacement for Grant Hill, a potential defensive stopper, and possibly a starting 4 from day 1. He fits perfectly into the Suns system. He will be very active and all over the place for the Suns. He did slip out of the top 10 but Aminu won’t mind it at all. if he polishes his jumper, they got a big time star on their hands.

15 Detroit Pistons- BJ Mullens C Ohio St 7′

The Pistons will look to find a long term replacement for McDyess. Mullens isn’t as coveted as Blair but taking blair when they have Maxiell doesn’t make much sense. Mullens may have one of the best, if not the best potential in the draft. No one thinks he’ll even come close to that. I’m 99% sure of that. He may be helped by comparisons to Deandre Jordan, as he’s shown flashes of potential, but he’s not near the athlete Jordan is.

16 Chicago Bulls- Stephen Curry G Davidson 6′2

The Bulls will probably lose Ben Gordan this off-season, because he is an unrestricted free agent. Curry will make the Bulls forget about Ben Gordan. The Bull’s are the perftect fit for him. He would play alonng side Derrick Rose, a great passer and big enough to guard 2’s.

17 Phillidelphia 76ers- Tywon Lawson G North Carolina 6′

The Sixers have a great future with the combination of Dalembert at the 5, Speights at the 4, Young at the 3, and Iggy at the 3. Lou Williams is also a very good young player but isn’t a passer by any means. Andre Miller needs an apprentice. Flynn and Maynor are better shooters, but Lawson will be able to run their fast paced offense well.

18 Minnesota T-Wolves via Miami- Dajaun Blair  F/C Pitt 6′6

The Wolves already added a point guard so now they will go after some frontcourt depth. They could get another wing or some back-up for Love and Jefferson. Blair solidfy’s there big man rotation. With 2 more first round picks, they can wait to get the wing player.

19 Atlanta Hawks- James Johnson F Wake Forrest 6′8

The Hawks will be picking for depth. They need that in order to take the next step. The Hawks are thin at both forward spots with Mo Evans and Solomon Jones being the back-ups. Johnson can play both positions and be the hustle guy for them off the bench.

20 Dallas Mavericks- Tyreke Evans G Memphis 6′5

The Mavs will probably look for a point guard to replace Kidd as he might go elswhere soon. Evans isn’t a true point guard but can hold his own there. The reason why they pick Evans is because he is able to play the two. Dallas is content with Terry coming off the bench. If Kidd stays, Evans is an upgrade over Antoine Wright.

21 Minnestoa via Philidelphia- Sam Young G/F Pitt 6′7

Minnesota may have wished they had many picks last year but there is still good talent left. They take Sam Young in hopes of him becoming their James Posey type player. Expect one or two of these picks being traded.

22 New Orleans Hornets- Johhny Flynn G Syracuse 6′

Hornets will hope that Evans fall to them but Fynn is still a nice pick. The Hornets are helpless without Paul because their offense is based soely on his gameplay. They will hope Flynn can pick up Paul’s style of play.

23 Portland Trailblazers- Jeff Teague G Wake Forrest 6′2

The Blazers are an exceptionally deep team. They really only have 1 weakness and that is backup point guard. Rodriguez and Bayless are very inconsistant. Teague is somewhat the same but is a winner. The Blazers could use his scoring punch off the bench.

24 Sacramento via Houston- Eric Maynor G VCU 6′3

The Kings still don’t have a point guard. Maynor is a good one. He can score in multiple ways and is a willing passer. I think he will be one of the steals of this years draft. He is this this years mario Chalmers.

25 OKC via San Antonio- Wayne Ellington G North Carolina 6′5

With Ed Davis already on their team, the Thunder will pick a guard. Ellington gives them a good sixth man and an already proven player. Even with his tourney performance he gets lost in the shuffle of guards.

26 Chicago via Denver- Tyler Hansbrough F North Carolina 6′8

With the addition of Curry, they have their guard situation locked up. They will probably make another desperate attempt at another scorer. Who is the top scorer in ACC history? Tyler Hansbrough.

27 Memphis via Orlando- Terrance Williams G/F Louisville 6′6

The Grizzlies have little depth behind their two stars. Sorry but Greg Buckner and Quentin Ross just aren’t good enough. Williams has to step in right away and make an impact for them.

28 Minnesota via Boston- Gani Lawal F/C Georgia Tech 6′10

The Wolves would much rather give these picks up for vets but if they don’t, they will continue to aid there big man situation.

29 LA Lakers- Josh Heytvelt F/C Gonzaga 6′11

Yes it’s a strech but the Lakers could use some more depth upfront. If he hustles, he’s and upgrade over DJ Mbenga. He’ll be their insurance if Bynum goes down again.

30 Cleveland Cavaliers- Omri Casspi F Maccabi Tel Aviv 6′8

The Cavs don’t have to many needs except an energetic rebounder off the bench. I’d guesss that they still have faith in Hickson so they take the bang or bust guy in Casspi.

Related posts:

1. 2009 NBA Mock Draft
2. 2009 NBA Mock Draft – Stubbs
3. “Rubio Has Arrived” 2009 NBA Mock Draft
4. James Harden Declares for 2009 NBA Draft
5. The Sacramento King’s 2009 NBA Draft Options