KG's 2009 NBA Mock Draft -- FINAL

UPDATE -- 6/25, 9:25 p.m. -- Now that the First Round is complete, I can admit I should have stuck with my first mock draft. I only got six picks correct in this "FINAL" mock draft compared to 10 in the first one.

2:50 p.m. CDT. The 2009 NBA Draft takes place this evening.

This is my mock draft which means these selections are who I believe the teams will pick. I believe more trades will be made involving some of these draft picks; so, clearly, that will impact my choices.

This mock draft is only for the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft.

1. Los Angeles Clippers -- Blake Griffin, 6'10", forward, Oklahoma, sophomore.
Comment: With Griffin's talent and tremendous work ethic, the sky's the limit. Too bad he'll be a Clipper.

2. Memphis Grizzlies -- Hasheem Thabeet, 7'3", center, Connecticut, junior.
Comment: Thabeet is a defensive force with limited skills on offense. He can dunk and not much else. He's working on a face up jump shot.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder -- Ricky Rubio, 6'5", Spain.
Comment: Very flashy passer. Inconsistent perimeter shooter. Loves to get his teammates the ball. Though he's only 18, he's played professional ball overseas for four years.

4. Sacramento Kings -- Tyreke Evans, 6'5", guard, Memphis, freshman.
Comment: Evans is not a true point guard; but, his size and quickness allow him to get to the basket almost at will.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Washington) -- Stephen Curry, 6'3", guard, Davidson, junior.
Comment: Curry is the best shooter in the draft; but, he's also a very good passer. Needs to add strength.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves -- James Harden, 6'5", guard, Arizona State, sophomore.
Comment: Harden's old school style hides his athleticism. His outside shot is solid; and, he'll get better.

7. Golden State Warriors -- Jordan Hill, 6'10", forward, Arizona, junior.
Comment: Hill's low post offense is better than people realize. He doesn't have to be prodded to compete.

8. New York Knicks -- Jrue Holiday, 6'4.25", guard, UCLA, freshman.
Comment: Point guard is his natural position. Confidence in New York could be a question.

9. Toronto Raptors -- DeMar DeRozan, 6' 6.25", guard, USC, freshman.
Comment: Great leaper. More athlete than ball player right now. Shaky perimeter game.

10. Milwaukee Bucks -- Jonny Flynn, 6'0.75", guard, Syracuse, sophomore.
Comment: 40-inch vertical leap. Solid point guard with scoring skills, too. Good defender, too.

11. New Jersey Nets -- Terrence Williams, 6'6.25", guard, Louisville, senior.
Comment: Jack-of-all trades. Needs to improve outside shot. Solid passer. Solid defender. Quirky.

12. Charlotte Bobcats -- Gerald Henderson, 6'5", guard, Duke, junior.
Comment: Very good hops. Inconsistent jump shot; Decent one-on-one game; good defender.

13. Indiana Pacers -- Brandon Jennings, 6'2", guard, Italy.
Comment: Skipped college and played overseas last season. A lot of upside. Hopefully, has substance to match his flash.

14. Phoenix Suns -- Earl Clark, 6'10.25", forward, Louisville, junior.
Comment: Questionable motor. Solid skill set is diminished by his lack of focus.

15. Detroit Pistons -- B. J. Mullens, 7'1.25", center, Ohio State, freshman.
Comment: Freshman numbers last season were nothing great. Very raw. Some question his attitude.

16. Chicago Bulls -- DeJuan Blair, 6'6.5", forward, Pittsburgh, sophomore.
Comment: Lacks height; but, tremendous wingspan compensates. Very physical around the basket. Concerns about knee problems in high school seem to be laid to rest.

17. Philadelphia 76ers -- Eric Maynor, 6'3.25", guard, VCU, senior.
Comment: Very good point guard skills with solid scoring skills as well. NBA-ready right now.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves -- Austin Daye, 6'10.25", forward, Gonzaga, sophomore.
Comment: Only 192 pounds. Needs to add weight and strength and tougher. Very good perimeter skills.

19. Atlanta Hawks -- Ty Lawson, 6'0.5", guard, North Carolina, junior.
Comment: Exceptional floor leader. Very quick. Worked to improve outside shot. Tough-minded. Winner.

20. Utah Jazz -- Tyler Hansbrough, 6'9.5", forward, North Carolina, senior.
Comment: Better athlete than people realize. Exceptional work ethic. Very hard worker. Solid jump shot.

21. New Orleans -- James Johnson, 6'7.75", forward, Wake Forest, sophomore.
Comment: Versatile forward who should improve NOLA's woeful bench.

22. Portland Trail Blazers (via Dallas) -- Omri Casspi, 6'9.25", forward, Israel.
Comment: Needs to add weight; but, he's very, very tough. May stay overseas for a bit more seasoning.

23. Sacramento Kings (via Houston) -- Sam Young, 6'6.75", forward, Pittsburgh, senior.
Comment: Maybe too old, 24, for baby Kings; but, Young is skilled enough to contribute now.

24. Dallas Mavericks (via Portland) -- Jeff Teague, 6'1.5", guard, Wake Forest, sophomore.
Comment: A bit inconsistent overall. Streaky perimeter shooter. Good floor leader.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (via S.A. Spurs) -- Nick Calathes, 6'5, guard, Florida, sophomore.
Comment: Signed a contract to play in Greece. Very good passer. Solid stand-still perimeter shooter.

26. Chicago Bulls (via Denver) -- Wayne Ellington, 6'5.25", guard, North Carolina, senior.
Comment: Smooth jump shooter. Needs to work on creating own shot.

27. Memphis Grizzlies (via Orlando) -- Chase Budinger, 6'7", forward / guard, Arizona, junior.
Comment: Very good leaper. Good perimeter shooter. Shaky defender.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Boston) -- Jonas Jerebko, 6'9", forward, Sweden.
Comment: T-wolves can let him stay overseas until he's ready for the NBA. Tough, physical, hard worker.

29. New York Knicks (via L.A. Lakers) -- DaJuan Summers, 6'8.5", forward, Georgetown, junior.
Comment: NBA body (243 pounds). Solid perimeter game.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers -- Toney Douglas, 6'2", guard, Florida State, senior.
Comment: Solid defender. Scoring guard. Streaky shooter. Tough.