2009 NBA draft report card
Timberwolves, Clippers earn top grades, while Heat fail miserably
OPINION
By Ira Winderman
NBCSports.com
updated 1:47 p.m. ET June 26, 2009
 | Ira Winderman |
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A look at the winners and losers of the 2009 NBA draft:
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Boston
Nothing to see here folks, with the Celtics not drafting until selecting Tennessee Martin guard Lester Hudson at No. 58. But that doesn't mean there will be nothing to see this summer. There well could be fire where there was smoke, with those pre-draft rumors involving Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. Danny Ainge waited until late July for Kevin Garnett, so this story seemingly has yet to be written.
Grade: Incomplete.
New Jersey
The white flag went up before the draft, with the selloff of Vince Carter to the Magic. By now, it is clear that all bets are off until the team moves to Brooklyn. In a way, Courtney Lee arrives as a bonus draft pick, a ready-made guard to move into Carter's starting role. If not Lee, then perhaps No. 11 selection Terrence Williams, the senior guard from Louisville. Considering Williams is not known for his shooting, he might fit right in with the Nets.
Grade: C
New York
With Stephen Curry no longer there, the Knicks went to Plan B, with the somewhat surprising selection of Arizona power forward Jordan Hill. On one hand, No. 8 probably was later than some expected for Hill. On the other, does this mean the Knicks are about to part with David Lee when free agency opens? Hill certainly is an active type, which certainly fits the D'Antoni mold, and upgrades the Knicks' talent level. The fact that he rebounds definitely helps. Landing Florida State guard Toney Douglas with the No. 29 pick purchased from the Lakers was an inspired choice. He can score and D'Antoni will make sure he will.
Grade: B-plus
Philadelphia
The 76ers clearly drafted on potential with the selection of UCLA freshman point guard Jrue Holiday. We are, after all, talking about a player who averaged only 8.5 points in his lone college season. His defense figures to come around quicker than his NBA offense. The top prep prospect a year ago, Holiday would be better served to brought along slowly, a possibility that could come down to the 76ers' plans with Andre Miller in free agency.
Grade: D
Toronto
One of the least-athletic teams in the league got a much-needed infusion of athleticism with the selection of USC's DeMar DeRozan at No. 9. While he might not necessarily compensate for the potential loss of Shawn Marion in free agency, DeRozan should provide far more athletically on the wing than the Raptors have seen since, well, the Vince Carter days. For once, it was nice to see Bryan Colangelo not take the European approach.
Grade: B-plus
CENTRAL DIVISION
Chicago
Wake Forest's James Johnson had a chance to go earlier than No. 16, which essentially gave the Bulls reasonable value with the pick. On one hand, Johnson is an athletic wing who can shift between the three and four, and can handle and score from the wing. On the other hand, Johnson tends to float through games and does not necessarily have a defined position. His role likely will be determined by the rest of the Bulls' offseason moves. The Bulls followed up with yet another rangy forward in USC's Taj Gibson, who continues to develop his offensive game.
Grade: C-plus
Cleveland
Once again, Shaquille O'Neal steals the thunder. This time, arriving on the eve of the draft and making virtually everything else moot in Cleveland. A win-now team made a win-now move on draft day. While we won't know about how it all fits together, there was little downside about the move. As a bonus, Cleveland kept its first-round pick, selecting at No. 30 Christian Eyenga, a forward from Congo who has been playing in Spain in the same system that produced Ricky Rubio. An athlete, he clearly will be stashed for a while.
Grade: A
Detroit
Why was Gonzaga forward Austin Daye a good pick at No. 15? Because Joe Dumars made the pick and Dumars' track record, which includes Rodney Stuckey at No. 15 two years ago, speaks for itself. Still, Daye looks a lot like Tayshaun Prince, which makes one wonder what's next for the Pistons. Now comes the real work, spending the salary-cap space that opens up with the expiring contracts of Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson. Draft night was an appetizer to this offseason. Daye should be able to fill out and grow with the program. Georgetown forward DaJuan Summers, who fell to No. 35, has a chance of making it, with his solid small-forward build.
Grade: B-minus
Indiana
It makes all the sense that a Larry Bird would appreciate the possibilities of a Tyler Hansbrough. On such a questionable roster, Hansbrough, the North Carolina forward taken at No. 13, either will challenge for immediate playing time, or wind up as just another middling Pacers forward. The opportunity is there, although Jim O'Brien's up-tempo approach might make for a somewhat difficult transition.
Grade: B
Milwaukee
Well, so much for the Luke Ridnour era. At least that's what the Bucks are hoping, with the non-conformist selection of Brandon Jennings at No. 10. The former prep star who arrives via a limited one-year stint in Italy offers athletic, speedy potential at the point. Now the question is whether Andrew Bogut and the rest of the Bucks will be able to keep up with Jennings. That part could prove fascinating.
Grade: B
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More newsJim Rogash / Getty Images Rajon Rondo had 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in Game 7 on Saturday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
