Welcome to Slam Dunk Central’s live coverage of the 2009 NBA draft!!  For those of you who are unable to watch the draft, this is the place you want to be.  In the coverage, the team, the player selected where they went to school and occasional commentary on the picks. 

So sit back, relax, grab some popcorn and your beverage of choice and enjoy Slam Dunk Central’s live, real-time coverage of the 2009 NBA draft!!  Remember – to get the most up-to-date draft information, refresh the page.

Round 1

#1 – Los Angeles Clippers select: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma

Notes:  Not surprising here.  The question here is whether Zach Randolph or Chris Kaman departs because of Griffin’s selection?

#2 – Memphis Grizzlies select: Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

Notes:  Looks like Mike Conley’s job is safe.  This pick moves Gasol to power forward.  Good pick. 

#3 – Oklahoma City Thunder select: James Harden, SG, Arizona State

Notes:  Wow!  However, to be fair, the Thunder needed a shooting guard.  So the pick actually makes sense here.  Whether he starts or not is up for discussion, but a solid pick nonetheless.  The Kings, I predict, will select Ricky Rubio.

#4 – Sacramento Kings select: Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis

Notes:  Another point guard (hybrid maybe?) taken.  Rubio has the experience and the higher basketball IQ, but Evans is a truly skilled player of his size.  Beno Udrih better watch his back.  Can back up Kevin Martin, on occasion.  Good pick. 

#5 – Minnesota Timberwolves select: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain

Notes: Not surprising as he is probably going to be part of the T-Wolves’ starting backcourt.  Don’t be surprised if they take a SG with their #6 pick.

#6 – Minnesota Timberwolves select: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse

Notes: Hmmmm.  Interesting pick.  Why didn’t they take a shooting guard?  Foye’s gone, so this should make things interesting as far as who the starting PG will be in Minnesota.

#7 – Golden State Warriors select: Stephen Curry, SG, Davidson

Notes:  Good pick actually, in light of the Crawford trade.  They should’ve addressed their point guard needs, though.  Perhaps they’re saving that for later.

#8 – New York Knicks select: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona

Notes:  Knicks fans are not happy.  But then again, are they ever?  Nonetheless, he definitely has upside.  Athletic, to boot.  Could back up David Lee.  Toronto, I predict, will select a player who is not a point guard.

#9 – Toronto Raptors select: DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC

Notes: Makes sense here.  Could make an impact with the right coaching.  Some shooting consistency will benefit him in the short- and long-term.

#10 – Milwaukee Bucks select: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italian League

Notes: Physical and quick.  The Bucks will probably nurture him as they’re not real strong at the position of point guard.

#11 – New Jersey Nets select: Terrence Williams, SF, Louisville

Notes:  Will more likely not start, despite the Nets’ loss of Vince Carter.  Will be a good defender; will need to improve his shot a bit.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he is a SG in the NBA.

#12 – Charlotte Bobcats select: Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke

Notes: No real frontcourt players of quality this early, so they took the NC product.  He is athletic with a wingspan of 6’10″, which serves him well as he’s a decent defender.  Kinda small for a SG but will adapt. 

#13 – Indiana Pacers select: Tyler Hansbrough, PF, North Carolina

Notes: Interesting pick.  I think that Mike Dunleavy’s days as a Pacer are numbered.  I thought they would’ve taken a PG here (Lawson especially).

#14 – Phoenix Suns select: Earl Clark, SF, Louisville

Notes: Not sure is this is a good pick or not.  With Shaq gone and the possibility of Amare Stoudemire leaving, I’d have thought they would’ve taken a PF here.  But then again, Steve Kerr works for the Suns.

#15 – Detroit Pistons select: Austin Daye, SF/PF, Gonzaga

Notes: My guess is that he’s going to back up Tayshaun Prince.  Kind of disappointed as they need some size.  Good wingspan; a project, so to speak.

#16 – Chicago Bulls select: James Johnson, SF, Wake Forest

Notes:  This pick makes me wonder if John Salmons is gonna stick with Chicago.  This also tells me that Brad Miller will be re-signed.  He’s a big’un.  Will have to play physical by necessity.

#17 – Philadelphia 76ers select: Jrue Holiday, PG, UCLA

Notes: Great pick, especially in light of the uncertainty of Andre Miller’s future with the team.  Very athletic and a good defender.  In 2 years, he should be very good.

#18 – Minnesota Timberwolves select: Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina

Notes: 3 point guards?  I am guessing that one of these 3 picks will be dealt.  Not a bad player, but his selection is overkill.  Questionable pick.  This just in – Ty Lawson will be sent to Denver for a draft pick TBD.  Stay tuned.  Lawson will be dealt to Denver for a protected 1st round pick in 2010.

#19 – Atlanta Hawks select: Jeff Teague, PG, Wake Forest

Notes:  Good pick.  This pick hastens Mike Bibby’s departure from the Hawks.  Very good shooter with above-average skills.  Defense will need work.

#20 – Utah Jazz select: Eric Maynor, PG, Virginia Commonwealth

Notes: WIll be a very good back up to Deron Williams; is a leader and has a high basketball IQ.  Solid pick.

#21 – New Orleans Hornets select: Darren Collison, PG, UCLA

Notes: Excellent defender with good skills.  Will back up Chris Paul.  And learn from him, as well.  Nice pick here.

#22 – Portland Trail Blazers select: Nick Claver, SF, Spain.

Notes: A future pick here.  Not expected to contribute until 2011 or so.

#23 – Sacramento Kings select: Omri Casspi, Israel, PF

Notes: Probably will need to bulk up a bit.  Will probably play like a small forward with his skill set.  Sacramento did well with this pick.  If the Kings didn’t take him, then Dallas would have.  Speaking of which, they’re now on the clock.

#24 – Dallas Mavericks select: B.J. Mullens, C, Ohio State

Notes:  Good pick.  Will definitely be an upgrade in time.  Dampier gets a reprieve.  His post game will need work for him to thrive in the league.

#25 – Oklahoma City Thunder select: Rodrigue Beaubois, PG, Guadaloupe

Notes:  Very athletic in the mold of Deron Williams, in my opinion.  I look for him to be a future pick.  Check back again in 2011.  This just in: Oklahoma City will likely trade Beaubois to Dallas for the rights to B.J. Mullens.

#26 – Chicago Bulls select: Taj Gibson, PF, USC

Notes:  Interesting pick.  Will Luol Deng stay at the PF or revert to the SF (hybrid)?  Good intangibles but a bit undersized for a PF.  Needs to bulk up.

#27 – Memphis Grizzlies select: DeMarre Carroll, SF, Missouri

Notes: Will probably back up Darrell Arthur.  Probably picked a bit high, in my opinion.  Good work ethic and decent shooting skills.  OK pick, I suppose.

#28 – Minnesota Timberwolves select: Wayne Ellington, SG, North Carolina

Notes:  Underrated player; may blossom and actually have a decent career in the NBA.  Will eventually take Foye’s spot in the lineup.

#29 – Los Angeles Lakers select: Toney Douglas, PG, Florida State

Notes:  Actually, Los Angeles is making this pick for the New York Knicks.  Douglas is a well-rounded guard who will probably translate into a hybrid guard.

#30 – Cleveland Cavaliers select: Christian Eyenga, G/F, Congo

Notes: Very athletic; has some Euroball experience.  Future pick for Cleveland.  Could be a steal.

Well, that’s it for the first round.  To view the second round picks, stay tuned to Slam Dunk Central as the selections will become available a bit later.