2009 NBA Mock Draft - Version 2.0

A week and a half after publishing Version 1.0, it's time to edit the first round of the draft. There will be many picks that don't change, but there are definitely some risers and fallers and that will be depicted in this version. 1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma This is a no-brainer pick. He has been the #1 pick in this draft since last November and has won every Player of the Year award you can think of. I've already posted my thoughts on this pick for the Clippers, so I won't go over it again. He's got the potential to be a top power forward in the league in a few years, but also if he doesn't develop much of an offensive game, could have already plateud. I don't expect that to happen, so he will develop into a very good, borderline great, power forward in the league. 2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio, G, Spain Rubio's agent has already said they will do what they can to avoid him going to either Memphis or Oklahoma City, but the same agent tried to do this with Yi last year and failed. Ultimately, I think Rubio decides to play for whoever takes him and Memphis, with the #2 pick, should take the 2nd best talent on the board. People widely consider Rubio and Thabeet to round out the top-3 with Griffin, but I could see Memphis consider Jordan Hill at this pick if they do not want to stunt the growth of Mike Conley, Jr. In the end, Rubio is the pick and should embrace the chance to play with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. Memphis' brass has been over in Spain interviewing this kid and Marc Gasol, fellow Spaniard, has talked to him as well and it seems as if Rubio is coming around to the idea of being in Memphis. 3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut The Thunder have many holes and are not in a position to draft by, well, position. Other than Westbrook, Durant and Jeff Green have solidified their spots on this team. Nenad Krstic was a nice pickup last year, but he's not a center you would want to build around. Thabeet would give them an instant upgrade in the defense department and if his offense ever comes around, he could become a really nice player. He must bulk up, but who in the draft doesn't? Also considered James Harden and DeMar DeRozan at this spot. 4. Sacramento Kings - Brandon Jennings, G, Italy The Kings have drafted big men in the last two drafts with Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson. Both of them look as if they will grow into good players in the league. Add to those two Kevin martin and Andres Nocioni, the lack of a playmaking point guard really holds this team back. Beno Udrih was given a horrible contract and the Kings will be eating that while Jennings runs the show. Though Jennings isn't a pure point guard, his scoring ability will be greatly welcomed by the Kings. 5. Washington Wizards - Jordan Hill, F, Arizona The Wizards are actually trying to shop the pick, but if they keep it, I think Hill will be a great pick at #5. I think that Hill will be the 3rd best prospect in the draft behind Blake Griffin and DeMar DeRozan. Hill has developed his game to a higher level after every season at Arizona and should only keep getting better. If he can add more weight and some refined post moves, he'll be a very productive player in this league.Read the rest of the article here!Dwight Drives Magic Past Cavs Into Finals