A breakdown of the 2009 NBA Draft Eastern Conference picks.
The 2009 Draft wasn't so eventful as the hours leading up to it. NBA stars, such as Shaquille O'Neal and Vince Carter, changed towns, and rumors swirled about as teams desperately tried to jockey themselves into better draft positions. Here's a look at how teams fared. Don't forget to check out the Suite101 Feature Writer's final mock draft (which guessed 10 of 30 correct picks, including seven of the first 10).
- Atlanta Hawks: B+ -- PG Jeff Teague (19); SG Sergiy Gladyr (49) -- With Mike Bibby likely not re-signing, the Hawks needed a point guard. They traded Acie Law and Speedy Claxton to the Golden State Warriors for Jamal Crawford before the draft, but they could still use depth at that position. Moreover, Crawford's not a pure point. Then again, neither is Teague, but his athleticism and understanding of the game should help him make an immediate impact for the Hawks. Gladyr is a pick for the future, as he probably won't be playing in America next season.
- Boston Celtics: C -- Pick: PG Lester Hudson (58) -- The Celtics were quiet on draft day, but that wasn't necessarily a poor decision. There really wasn't anything in this draft that would help them immediately, so they moved out of the first round. Hudson's an exceptional shooter, but may not stick.
- Charlotte Bobcats: B+ -- Picks: SG Gerald Henderson (12); SF Derrick Brown (40); SG Robert Vaden (54) -- The Bobcats addressed a need by taking a shooting guard, and Henderson certainly has a good midrange game. Time will tell if this Dukie becomes the next Grant Hill, Elton Brand or the next J.J. Redick. Brown was projected as a first-rounder before the draft. The Bobcats sold the rights to Vaden to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Chicago Bulls: C+ -- Picks: SF James Johnson (16); PF Taj Gibson (26) -- On the one hand, these are two very solid picks. Johnson has excellent size and toughness at the small forward position to make an immediate impact, but Gibson is kind of thin to fill a need at power forward, especially since they already have a skinny Tyrus Thomas. Plus, they badly need some insurance at shooting guard.
- Cleveland Cavaliers: C- --Picks: SG Christian Eyenga (30); SF Danny Green (46) -- Eyenga may never make the Cavs' roster, and certainly won't be on it next season. The Cavs might've opted for a player who could contribute right away, especially with such a huge payroll. A late first round rookie wouldn't cost much, and with several more talented players available, the Cavs might have found a diamond in the rough.
- Detroit Pistons: C -- Picks: SF Austin Daye (15); SF DaJuan Summers (35); SF Jonas Jerebko (39); SG Chase Budinger (44) -- Daye is a questionable pick. His upside is through the roof, but he's a few years away from really making a splash. At 6-11, he has great length and skill, but he barely weighs 200lbs and couldn't bench press 185lbs in draft measurements. Injuries may be a concern. Summers and Jerebko were great finds in the second round, but the Pistons traded the rights to Budinger to the Houston Rockets.
- Indiana Pacers: C- -- Picks: PF Tyler Hansbrough (13); PG A.J. Price (52) -- Hansbrough's stock rose late in the game, though many don't believe he'll be anything more than a decent journeyman. Still, he may surprise. His athleticism numbers and size weren't too far off from Blake Griffin's, and his toughness and energy are certainly things the Pacers could use. Price was a poor choise, as he may have gone undrafted had the Pacers not nabbed him.
- Miami Heat: D -- Picks: PG Patrick Beverly (42); SF Robert Dozier (60) -- The Heat got two future second rounders for Marques Thornton (selected 43rd), but really didn't make much of a splash in this draft.
- Milwaukee Bucks: C+ -- Picks: PG Brandon Jennings (10); SG Jodie Meeks (41) -- While Jennings was a solid pick (he could wind up being a steal), Meeks is a peculiar choice with Budinger still available.
- New Jersey Nets: B -- Pick: SG Terrence Williams (11) -- Many thought the Nets ought to take Duke Guard Gerald Henderson, but others say Williams' length and toughness makes him a better fit. He certainly is versatile, but can't shoot worth a lick.
- New York Knicks: B -- Pick: PF Jordan Hill (8) -- The Knicks wanted Stephen Curry to slip, but they made the best out of the situation and landed a solid power forward. Hill will fit well with Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun style offense.
- Orlando Magic: Incomplete -- Pick: No Pick -- The Magic may not have been directly involved in the NBA Draft, but they did land Vince Carter for a few players just before. Carter will give them a steady perimeter scorer.
- Philadelphia 76ers: D+ -- Pick: PG Jrue Holiday (17) -- On the one hand, Holiday has all the tools to be a successful NBA point guard, and playing behind Andre Miller means he can develop at a steady pace. On the other hand, Holiday has proven nothing and with so many proven point guards available.
- Toronto Raptors: A- -- Pick: SG DeMar DeRozan (9th) -- DeRozan could wind up being one of the best players in this draft when all is said and done. The Raptors need outside shooting, but this pick was an easy one to make.
- Washington Wizards: B+ -- Picks: None -- The Wizards traded away the fifth pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with Etan Thomas and Oleksiy Pecherov for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. One wonders if they might not have made the deal had they known Ricky Rubio was going to be available at five. That being said, this helps Washington. Arenas' health is questionable, so it's not a bad idea to have Foye as a backup combo guard. Miller provides additional depth in case Caron Butler gets hurt again.
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