The NBA rookie batch of 2009 offers lots of potential. Though the results still has to be seen in a few or more years to come, there are a lot of speculations, promises, hype, and drama surrounding it. There's might be no LeBron James-Carmelo Anthony close ROY race like way back in 2003 nor is deep as the 1984 batch which had Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton but for sure the 2009 batch has a lot in store for the years to come. The 2009 NBA Draft had a lot of surprises. DeJuan Blair fell to the second round as he was expected to end up late in the first round while Tyler Hansbrough was picked earlier than thought. The Minnesota Timberwolves also made a bold move by picking 3 point guards in the first round. Here are some of the top players to watch from the 2009 rookie batch in the NBA for the years to come.
1.) Blake Griffin - Listed as 6'10, Griffin was the surest choice in the 2009 NBA Draft. In his last year with Oklahoma, Griffin averaged 22.7 points, 14.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals a game in 33.3 minutes a game in 35 games. Only in his sophomore year with Oklahoma, Griffin is a highly talented and gifted player. His athleticism is off the charts yet possesses the work ethic and willingness to improve. Drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft, the 20-year old Griffin is groomed to be the team's top guy in years to come. Playing alongside veterans Baron Davis and Marcus Camby will prove too useful for Griffin. If the Clippers can get a good hold of him, they're in good shape as they've got a good stock of young and promising talents in Eric Gordon and Al Thornton to be with Griffin.
2.) James Harden - Dubbed as the most complete player and most mature player in the 2009 NBA Draft, James Harden brings in decent shooting and good basketball fundamentals. Only in his second year with the Arizona State Sun Devils, Harden averaged 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 steals and hits close to 50% from the field and 35.6% of his attempts from behind the three point arc. Drafted 3rd overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, it might take some time to see Harden bloom into a full pledged star in the NBA. Harden is a consistent scorer in college and once scored 40 points in Arizona State's 88-58 win over UTEP.
3.) Stephen Curry - At 6'3, Stephen Curry is undoubtedly the best shooter in the 2009 NBA Draft and has the potential to become one of the best and greatest shooters the NBA might ever see. Playing for 3 seasons with the Davidson Wildcats, Curry finished his 3-year stint averaging 25.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals a game while hitting 46.7% from the filed and 41.2% from behind the arc. Unlike many shooters, Curry's range is tremendous and is a terrific out balanced shooter. In his last season with Davidson, Curry averaged 28.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists a game, hitting 45.4% from the field and 38.6% from the three-point area. Curry is honed to follow the footsteps of the legendary Reggie Miller. Curry was drafted 7th overall by the Golden State Warriors.
4.) Hasheem Thabeet - Picked by the Memphis Grizzlies second overall, it was quite surprising to see Thabeet go that high. But thanks to the Grizzlies defensive needs, Thabeet and his 7'3 frame went into demand early. Playing for the UConn Huskies, Thabeet never played basketball until he was 15 years old. A native of Tanzania, Thabeet averaged 13.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 4.2 blocks a game in his last season with the Huskies. Thabeet's success as a ball player comes from his defense and his offensive development in the future will prove to be integral to his success. As of this moment, Thabeet is heading the road that Dikembe Mutombo took. His defense will make a name for him.
5.) Tyreke Evans - Evans stands 6'5 and plays both the point guard and shooting guard position very well. He is an extremely smooth and talented guard and has an incredible wingspan and a mature and NBA-ready type of body. Though inconsistent at times, Evans is a good and reliable scorer. Playing only for a season with Memphis in the college ranks, Evans averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 steals in 29.0 minutes a game in a total of 37 games. Evans drew comparisons to NBA veterans Jerry Stackhouse and Tracy McGrady though he's a little bit smaller than their sizes. He was picked 4th overall in the 2009 Draft by the rebuilding Sacramento Kings. The Kings might be heading in the right direction with Evans along with Kevin Martin, Jason Thompson, Beno Udrih, and Spencer Hawes.
6.) Jordan Hill - On what could be New York's best pick since David Lee, Jordan Hill can become one of the better big men in the NBA. Standing 6'10, he's a known scorer and rebounder in his third season with the Arizona Wildcats. During his junior year with the team, Hill averaged 18.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals in 35.7 minutes a game in 34 games. Hill had the disctinction as the first Wildcat to average double figures in scoring and rebounding in one season. Whether or not he'll be a Knick for a long time, Hill has the potential to make it big in the NBA. He could be another Jermaine O'Neal or Elton Brand in the making.
7.) Jonny Flynn - Picked 6th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves after Ricky Rubio who was also picked by the same team, Flynn was considered as one of the top point guards in college basketball. In his sophomore year with Syracuse, Flynn averaged 15.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. Standing 6'1, Flynn was a member of the 2006 USA Men's U18 National Team at the FIBA 2006 U18 Championships. Flynn averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and team high 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals a game. Flynn was named as the NBA Rookie of the Month at the 2009 Summer League.
8.) Tyler Hansbrough - Tyler Hansbrough, known as "Psycho T", had a spectacular college career. He played 4 seasons with the North Carolina Tar Heels and had a college career average of 20.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals a game in 142 games. In his senior year with the Tar Hills, Hansbrough averaged 20.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 assists in 30.3 minutes a game in 34 games. Picked 13th overall by the Indiana Pacers, Hansbrough is forecasted not to become a bonafide star but can be a solid piece in winning teams. Comparisons to Hansbrough are Eduardo Najera and Mark Madsen but with a lot better stats. Hansbrough will be a well sought player in Robert Horry's caliber soon in his career.
9.) Ricky Rubio - With the exception of Steve Nash and Tony Parker, not much international point guards have gained major NBA stardom. Ricky Rubio have gained massive attention in the basketball world during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Rubio was picked 5th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and became the first born player in the 1990s to be drafted in the NBA. Though Rubio's NBA debut might be a little delayed for a season, he can become one of the best international point guards to set on foot in an NBA court. At the young age of 18, Rubio has got a lot of professional and international experience under his belt. He can be a focal point for the rebuilding Timberwolves. A little more bulk and muscle then Rubio will be among the most dominant point guards in the league. Pass it on Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, there's a new kid on the block.
10.) Ty Lawson - Standing 5'11, Ty Lawson was instrumental in North Carolina's success along with Tyler Hansbrough. In three seasons with the Tar Hills, Lawson averaged 13.1 points, 5.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 105 games. In his sophomore year, Lawson averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.1 steals a game in 35 games. Lawson was the 18th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves, making him the third point guard picked by the Timberwolves picked in the first round but was traded to the Denver Nuggets. Playing with Chauncey Billups will be a good start for Lawson's career. Though not really thought to become a great point guard like Chris Paul or Jason Kidd, Lawson can be instrumental to teams.