He 2009 NBA Draft will never be forgotten. He was a class of high level, produced a couple of MVPs, several All-Stars and several champions, headed by Stephen Curry y James Harden. Thanks in no small part to those two, it’s considered one of the greatest editions in NBA history.
Two of the editors of The Sporting NewsScott Rafferty and Jordan Greer, put on their GM hats and performed the 2009 redraft.
The 2009 NBA Redraft
1. Stephen Curry, Clippers
original choice: Blake Griffin
Position in which he was elected: 7
That skinny kid from Davidson turned out to be a good player apparently.
Curry was the only option here. He is a nine-time All-Star and All-NBA selection. He owns a couple MVPs. He has won four championships and a 2022 Finals MVP. And if that were not enough, he is the best shooter in history.
The only question Curry is left with is how far up the all-time list he can climb.
— Greer
2. James Harden, Grizzlies
original choice: Hasheem Thabeet
Position in which he was elected: 3
Curry was an easy pick at #1. Another easy choice? Harden in second place.
Steph is the only player in the class this Draft who can top Harden’s resume. In addition to being a 10-time All-Star with 7 All-NBA selections, he was Sixth Man of the Year, MVP, 3-time leading scorer, and 2-time assist leader.
In his prime, Harden was one of the most dominant offensive weapons the NBA has ever seen. His playoff resume falls short, but it’s easy to forget that his Rockets came close to knocking the Warriors out of the Big Four.
Harden could very well have a title if Chris Paul hadn’t been injured.
— Rafferty
3. Blake Griffin, Thunder
original choice: James Harden
Position in which he was elected: 1
Griffin’s minutes have been dwindling since his last All-Star season in 2018-19, but let’s not forget his early years as a cornerstone on the Clippers.
In more than seven seasons in Los Angeles, Griffin averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 51.2% shooting. He was an unstoppable offensive force that helped grow the fanbase of the franchise tremendously. When injuries took away some of Griffin’s elite athleticism, he evolved as a passer and shooter.
He has to trail behind Curry and Harden on this list, but Griffin’s peak keeps him in the top three.
— Greer
4. DeMar DeRozan, Kings
original choice: Tyreke Evans
Position in which he was elected: 9
It’s a tough call between DeRozan and Holiday, but the guard gets the advantage because he’s better suited to be a team’s No. 1 choice.
A six-time All-Star with three All-NBA selections, DeRozan has been one of the NBA’s top scorers for the past decade, and has grown tremendously as a playmaker for others. It would not be unreasonable to see him in the future in the Hall of Fame.
— Rafferty
5. Jrue Holiday, Timberwolves
original choice: Ricky Rubio
Position in which he was elected: 17
Holiday has been a solid and enduring figure throughout his career. He was a key offensive player on the 76ers, Pelicans and Bucks, and remains one of the best, perhaps the best, perimeter defender in the NBA.
His incredible impact on both ends can be summed up in a single sequence. Holiday’s steal and alley-oop pass to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Game 5 of the 2021 Finals helped Milwaukee make it 3-2 heading into their subsequent ring.
— Greer
6. Danny Green, Timberwolves
original choice: Jonny Flynn
Position in which he was elected: 46
There were good options here, but I’ll stick with the best role player available, someone who’s won three championships as a starter on three different teams.
There’s a place on every team in the league for Green’s three-pointers and defensive versatility.
— Rafferty
7. Ricky Rubio, Warriors
original choice: Stephen Curry
Position in which he was elected: 5
Rubio’s milestones leading up to the NBA led many to believe he was going to be the new Magic Johnson. He couldn’t live up to those lofty expectations due to an early and serious injury, but he still enjoyed a solid career.
Between 2011 and 2017, Rubio averaged 10.3 points, 8.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game with the Timberwolves. He also had short stints with the Utah Jazz, the Suns and the Cavaliers, giving each team more than a surefire point guard.
— Greer
8. Jeff Teague, Knicks
original choice: Jordan Hill
Position in which he was elected: 19
The last remaining All-Star of this class. Teague was a rock-solid point guard, peaking for him in 2014-15 when he averaged 15.9 points, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals per night in a 60-game winning Hawks team.
Although he didn’t play much, Teague won a championship with the Bucks in 2021.
— Rafferty
9. Wesley Matthews, Raptors
original choice: DeMar DeRozan
Position in which he was elected: not chosen
Matthews is an excellent little talked about success story. He currently ranks second on the list of highest-earning undrafted players in NBA history, behind only Fred VanVleet.
He built his value by establishing himself as a 3&D who is always willing to do the job that is needed. Matthews is a 37.6% career shooter.
— Greer
10. Patrick Beverley, Bucks
original choice: Brandon Jennings
Position in which he was elected: 42
Beverley has been one of the best and most annoying defenders in the NBA for a while now, earning three All-Defensive selections and a Hustle Award.
When he scores from outside, he is the ideal point guard to pair with a star.
— Rafferty
11. Taj Gibson, Nets
original choice: Terrence Williams
Position in which he was elected: 26
Gibson is the definition of a hard-working interior. He knows his role well, regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, he scores easy baskets and contributes to the rebound.
The overall numbers aren’t surprising (8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds), but Gibson’s longevity is extremely impressive considering how much the game has evolved in the past decade.
— Greer
12. Patty Mills, Hornets
original choice: Gerald Henderson
Position in which he was elected: 55
One cannot go wrong with Mills. He was one of the best scorers and bench shooters in the NBA for a good part of his career, and has a reputation as an excellent teammate.
He has been a part of some very good projects and played an important role in San Antonio’s championship run in 2014.
— Rafferty
13. Darren Collison, Pacers
original choice: Tyler Hansbrough
Position in which he was elected: 21
If Collison hadn’t decided to retire in 2019, he could have finished higher in this Redraft.
From 2009 to 2019 he averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 47.1% from the field and 39.4% from three.
— Greer
14. Joe Ingles, Suns
original choice: Earl Clark
Position in which he was elected: not chosen
Ingles didn’t make it to the NBA until 2014, by which time he was 27 years old. Even so, he has played in more games in his career than Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, Ty Lawson and Beverley, to name a few.
When he arrived in the league it didn’t take long for him to make a name for himself as the ideal role player: a versatile forward who could make plays, hit 3-pointers and defend multiple positions.
— Rafferty
Best Available Players: Tyreke Evans, Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings, James Johnson, Aron Baynes
2023-07-23 12:28:02
#NBA #Redraft #Stephen #Curry #Ricky #Rubio #James #Harden
