NBA Draft ‘09 Position Rankings

NBA Draft ‘09 Position Rankings - Power Forwards

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With the 1st Pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select…Blake Griffin, Oklahoma. Now on the clock, the Memphis Grizzlies.

I think we can all agree that Blake Griffin is the top player in the draft but after that opinions may vary not only in the overall rankings of your draft board but specifically in the Power Forward (PF) position. It seems as though you either love Tyler Hansbrough or you hate him. DeJuan Blair, he’s too short or he’s a beast. I’ll join the mix by listing my rankings in this post but I did want to mention that some sites have guys like Earl Clark (Louisville) or Derrick Brown (Xavier) listed as PF’s and although I think they can and will play some PF, I see those guys following the trend of forwards who can step out and shoot it or perhaps lack the size of the old enforcers like Maurice Lucas, Rick Mahorn, and Charles Oakley. The ability to open the floor for pick & roll and iso-post action is so important that it requires a team to have 3 shooters spaced around the 2-man game and that would include the 4-man (PF) such as Rashard Lewis. At the same time, teams need that defensive & rebounding presence that comes with the PF position and I think there are definitely some guys on this list who can provide that.

POWER FORWARDS:

Blake Griffin - 6′10 255 PF - Oklahoma: Lock as #1 pick, stud physically, good skill level, Malone-like in many ways.
Jordan Hill - 6′10 234 PF - Arizona: Unique to this draft, not many long athletic shot blockers. Can rebound and score around rim, although offense has improved some - needs work. Lacks range.
DeJuan Blair - 6′7 262 PF - Pitt: You don’t look at him and think long but he is (7′2 wingspan)! Very strong, physical, great hands. Bangs boards & regularly hammered bigger guys (Thabeet). Smart & crafty post moves, uses R/L, & draws fouls. Co-MVP of Big East. Needs improved stroke.
Tyler Hansbrough - 6′9 234 PF - North Carolina: Big time production for 4 years, may be hardest worker in draft. Competes and wins. Was great drawing fouls in college, will he get those calls now? Really improved as shooter to college 3. Runs floor and great on offensive glass.
Josh Heytvelt - 6′11 246 PF/C - Gonzaga: Best shooter of this crop. Range to college 3, could develop beyond. Avg. low post game at best. Runs floor well & good jumper. Seemed to fade in and out, has impressed in some recent workouts.
Jeff Pendergraph - 6′10 240 PF - Arizona State: Athletic big man, runs and jumps well (similar if not better than Hill in Chicago testing). Highly efficient shooter & decent FT shooter also. Plays hard defensively.
Taj Gibson - 6′9 210 PF - USC: Very long arms which is why he’s a shot blocker because he’s not a leaper. Narrow frame could get bounced around & not skilled enough to play SF. 2nd Round, needs NBADL work.

OTHERS:

Jon Brockman - 6′7 255 PF - Washington: One former NBA-GM told me “every player needs a tool…his best skill to bring to work” well this guy REBOUNDS! It hurts me to put Gibson ahead of him as he got 27 boards and 2 wins head to head, but his lack of offense/shooting is an issue. Averaged 14 pts. 10 rebs. for career with over 1200 rebounds! If Mark Madsen, Chuck Hayes, & Ed Najera can play in the league, I think he’s got a shot as well.
DeMarre Carroll - 6′8 225 PF - Missouri: Active, runs floor, has some in/out versatility, size issues at 4 spot.

NOT TO MENTION: