NBA 2009 Draft: A Year of Surprises and Talent

The 2009 NBA draft was a memorable one, filled with surprises and talent. On June 25, 2009, the NBA''s 30 teams gathered in New York City''s Prudential Center to select their future stars.

One of the biggest surprises of the draft was the selection of james.html">James harden.html">Harden by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the third overall pick. Many expected Harden to fall further in the draft due to concerns about his scoring ability, but the Thunder saw something special in the Arizona State product.

The top two picks were no surprise, as Blake griffin.html">Griffin went first to the Los Angeles Clippers and Hasheem Thabeet was taken second by the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the real excitement began when stephen.html">stephen.html">Stephen curry.html">Curry was selected seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors. Despite being undersized for an NBA shooting guard, Curry''s incredible three-point shooting ability made him a coveted prospect.

Others who stood out in the 2009 draft include DeMar DeRozan (Ninth overall to the Toronto Raptors), Jonny Flynn (Sixth overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves), and Tyreke Evans (Fourth overall to the sacramento.html">Sacramento Kings). These players.html">players would go on to make significant contributions to their respective teams, cementing the 2009 draft as one for the ages.

Looking back, it''s clear that the 2009 NBA draft was a turning point for several franchises. The Thunder, in particular, hit the jackpot with Harden, who has become one of the most consistent and clutch players in the league. Meanwhile, the Warriors'' selection of Curry marked the beginning of their transformation into the dominant team we know today.

As the years go by, it''s fascinating to see how the 2009 draft class has developed. Some have flourished, while others have struggled with injuries or inconsistent play. Nevertheless, the 2009 NBA draft remains a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of the professional basketbal.html">basketball.html">basketball world.