There could be no word fitted enough for the Los Angeles Clippers for the 2009-2010 season than disappointing. The Clippers entered the 2009-2010 season full of potential and promise with veterans Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman, sophomore guard Eric Gordon, and 2009 NBA Draft number 1 overall pick Blake Griffin. Griffin just came off with two very impressive and strong bids with the Oklahoma Sooners and was the most sought after collegiate player. Just when the Clippers thought that their fortunes would change for the better, injuries just hit them bad. Griffin never saw action for the 2009-2010 season and was sidelined due to a knee injury that took almost a year to heal. However without Griffin, the 2009 NBA Draft didn't run out of potentials and rookie sensations.
As far as potential is concerned, Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans showed the greatest potential among all of 2009 draft class. The 4th overall pick Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in 72 games joining the likes of Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James in the elite group of players to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in their rookie season. Without any established star, Evans quickly emerged as the Kings main star and proved to be worthy by being consistent. Evans averaged 18.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.33 steals in November and won the Rookie of the Month award and just got better from that point on. Though the Kings didn't finish the season impressively by winning only 25 games out of a possible 82, Evans proved to be a serious star in the making. The next Jason Kidd maybe?
Brandon Jennings was a revelation for the 2009-2010 season. After a so-so stint in Europe, Milwaukee's 10th overall pick had made the biggest noises for the 2009-2010 season. Jennings scored 55 points marking it the most points ever scored by a rookie since Earl Munroe scored 56 in 1968 and became the second highest single game scorer for the Milwaukee Bucks next to Michael Redd's 57. Such performance also marked Jennings as the youngest player to ever score at least 50 points in a game and the second highest single game point total for a player under 21 years of age next to LeBron James' 56. As far as season team accomplishments among the marquee rookies for the 2009 NBA Draft is concerned, Jennings have accomplished better than ROY winner Tyreke Evans and runner-up Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Jennings and the Bucks made it to the playoffs and almost stole the series away from the Atlanta Hawks. Jennings finished the season averaging 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists and played and started in all of Milwaukee's 82 regular season games.
Golden State Warriors 7th overall pick Stephen Curry was one of the three (Evans and Jennings) who made a solid run for the ROY award. Son of former NBA guard Dell Curry, Stephen entered the NBA with some hype being thought of to be the next Reggie Miller. Curry's shooting accuracy as quite impressive and he didn't fail in the NBA hitting 43.7% of his three point shots, 46.2% of his total field goals, and 88.5% of his free throws. Curry finished the season averaging 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists in 80 games (77 starts). What's so special about Curry? He had 5 30 plus points and 10 plus assists games for the 2009-2010 season which also marked as the 3rd most 30-point, 10-assist game for a rookie behind LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Curry broke the single season for most three point shots made by a rookie with 166 and scored a career high 42 points in the Warriors last regular season game for the 2009-2010 season. Curry's improvement from November of 2009 until April of 2010 was quite remarkable. Could that be because of Golden State's roster shortage? Nevertheless, Curry have gained major experience and maybe that's all he needs to have another solid and better run for the 2010-2011 season.
Aside from Evans, Jennings, and Curry, there are some names worth noting from the 2009 NBA Draft and they are San Antonio's 37th overall pick DeJuan Blair, Oklahoma City's James Harden (3rd overall), Sacramento's Omri Casspi (23rd overall), Demar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors (9th overall), Ty Lawson of Denver (18th overall), Jonas Jerebko of Detroit (39th overall), Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls (26th overall), New Orleans Hornets guards Darren Collison (21st overall) and Marcus Thornton (43rd overall), and Houston's Chase Budinger (44th overall).
Without Blake Griffin, the 2009 NBA Draft was still full of bright spots. Now that Griffin is cleared to play for the 2010-2011 season, reserve everything for John Wall and the rest of the 2010 NBA rookies, Griffin for sure will give them a run for the ROY.