Raptors DeRozan was overlooked in 2009 draft & that’s a good thing

Let’s look back at a few draft classes which included noteworthy Raptors. How many players lived up to their lofty selections?

Hoops Hype offers more than tweets and press clippings. Recently they have been re-examining draft choices of earlier years, and “re-drafting” based on actual performance in the NBA. I’ve had a look at their 2009 “re-draft” and am pleased to note where they have positioned DeMar DeRozan.

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I don’t think there’s much argument as to which player in that year has proven superior to all others. A scrawny, short (by NBA standards) point guard out of an obscure college called Davidson was chosen with the #7 selection. At the time, there was concern his wonky ankles would prevent him from enjoying a long career. So much for that concern, and all the others. Stephen Curry has revolutionized pro ball with his jaw-dropping shooting, and is the best player drafted since LeBron James in 2003.

They name Blake Griffin the next-best, though I’d rather have the #3 selection, James Harden. Griffin actually went first overall, and Harden was #3, so their teams nailed it. As the fourth-best player of that group, they name our man. Given that DeMar was selected with the ninth pick, I think a belated hat-tip is due to Bryan Colangelo.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague is named as fifth-best, which is a clear win for that team, as he was chosen #19. I’m intrigued to see Wesley Mathews as the sixth-best player in their opinion. What’s noteworthy is having an undrafted player occupy such a lofty perch. Another winner: Jrue Holiday is seventh, while chosen #17.

The biggest flops of that draft aren’t hard to find. At #2, Memphis chose Hasheem Thabeet, and Minnesota selected Jonny Flynn ahead of Curry.

Re-examining the 2006 draft brings considerable unhappiness to us Raptors fans. This was the only season to date in which the ping pong balls were friendly enough to bring us the #1 overall selection. Colangelo chose Andrea Bargnani, whom Hoops Hype ranks as the eighth-best player of that crop. The best has been LaMarcus Aldridge, and I would have been shocked had they named anyone else. The second-best choice was Boston’s; they took an undersized point guard named Rajon Rondo at #21. Paul Millsap, the 47th selection (Hello: is anyone there? This guy led the NCAA in rebounding 3 straight seasons and he’s barely 6’8″ – don’t you think that might be a sign of exceptional talent, brains and desire?) is ranked third. And who do they place at the fourth position? Let’s hear it for Kyle Lowry, who’s blown past his relatively modest #24 selection to become an All-Star in Raptors colours.

Colangelo could have chosen Millsap with the #35 pick, but took the feisty and durable P.J. Tucker instead. Too bad BC didn’t give Tucker a proper look. There are precious few second-rounders from that draft still receiving NBA paycheques, but Tucker is helping Phoenix.

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While we’re months away from the actual NBA draft, March Madness is very near. It’s the time of year when college players can make, or break, their reputations. I’ll be taking occasional glances at young players. Our team has two first-rounders, including one which is likely to be in the lottery, so we Raptors people have a vested interest.