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Ball Don't Lie

Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:50 pm EDT

BDL 2009 NBA Mock Draft: Pick No. 7, Warriors

By J.E. Skeets


With the NBA Draft just a few days away, Ball Don't Lie has decided to weigh in with its own 2009 Mock Draft, just for shots and giggles. But since we know so little about college basketball, we called in SB Nation's team experts (and a few others) to throw their darts at the board. Let's see what sticks ...

With the seventh pick in the 2009 Ball Don't Lie NBA Mock Draft, the Golden State Warriors select ...

Brandon Jennings: PG, Lottomatica Roma (Int.)

Golden State Of Mind (via RU):

"Based on the astute draft research analysis of ESPN's Chad Ford and The Mercury's Tim Kawakami it seems like the Warriors are down to a Fab Five of Jrue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Brandon Jennings, Terrence Williams, and Tyreke Evans. Evans is off the board and we wish him the best of luck in Sactown.

The remaining four are all intriguing talents and I personally wouldn't be upset if the Warriors end up with any one of them. But Jrue "TWDY Players" Holiday doesn't appear to be that pure point guard, and wings — aside from the elite LBJ and KB — are a dime a dozen in this league. Flynn looks to be a solid, steady pro, but not a superstar, which is what the Dubs need. Williams, aka "Gatorade Protector", could be the steal of the draft (or a trademark Nellie smokescreen), but at No. 7 that would be pulling a Raiders and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Maybe the Dubs can swing a deal and get him later in the draft though, if that's who they're targeting.

So in this draft, it's all about the people's choice — and the golden people have spoken: Brandon Jennings, welcome to the Yay Area! In the words of DJ Quik: "Because Oakland is just like Compton."  Jennings has (drum roll please) ... ridiculous upside.

I don't doubt that it will take Jennings a few seasons to get acclimated to the NBA. I don't doubt that pairing him with Monta Ellis is a defensive disaster waiting to happen. But that's not what draft picks are all about. For the Warriors, it has to be about fishing for a superstar who, at worst, can be a serviceable player in this league.

Still, barring a miraculous trade for a superstar (which I'd love to see), the Warriors are not going to the playoffs next season. Does it really matter if it takes Jennings a few seasons to mature if he's going to have the best NBA career when it's all said and done? By the time he matures, if the Monta-BJ duo isn't working and it turns out he's BETTER than Ellis — move Ellis. If the Monta-BJ duo isn't working and it turns out he's WORSE than Ellis — move Jennings. You don't make draft decisions based on your current cast unless you're one piece away from a sure-fire championship (see the Blazers passing on Michael Jordan because they had Clyde Drexler).

Jennings is indeed a high risk reward player, but when you're the Warriors and you've sucked this bad for a decade and a half, you've got absolutely nothing to lose."

For more NBA Draft coverage, visit Yahoo! Sports NBA Draft HQ and Ridiculous Upside.   

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56 Comments

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  1. ronstar
    1. Posted by ronstar Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:55 pm EDT

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    1st.. i love it baby put him in a gsw uni!!!
  2. ronstar
    2. Posted by ronstar Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    him and monta - exciting, blazing fast, mesmerizing on the break, explosive, quick, list goes on...
  3. Hyatt
    3. Posted by Hyatt Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:02 pm EDT

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    Is that Play with Kid's haircut?
  4. glenn
    4. Posted by glenn Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    other than blake griffin, he's going to be the best player 5 years from now
  5. MikeB
    5. Posted by MikeB Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    A bust of Darius Miles proportions
  6. Sliderpig
    6. Posted by Sliderpig Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    Yeah I'd agree with that.
  7. Aaron
    7. Posted by Aaron Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    personally i would rather have patty mills. He is a blur with a ball in his hands. Monta Ellis is a six man to me, instant offense off the bench. the problem is he has a starring starters paycheck. I would trade jamal crawford he seems to clash with Jack. I hope anthony randolph is ready he looks like he is a upcomng . But he needs work on that ugly jumper. The dubs are not balanced and we may be back in the lottery next year . Also we not taking Jennings, the last thing we need is another dumb player
  8. Travis
    8. Posted by Travis Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:15 pm EDT

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    jennings will be better than rubio, i bet, but it'll take a few years. don't the warriors need a SG more than a PG? the scooter man will be upset about this. and those two guys on the same team? bad chem.
  9. Travis
    9. Posted by Travis Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    which reminds me: this draft really does suck. i think more will come of some europeans in the late first round than a lot of these lottery guys.
  10. chicagocubs15
    10. Posted by chicagocubs15 Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    my name is sir poopn [profane]
  11. greg v
    11. Posted by greg v Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:23 pm EDT

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    Unfortunately we wont be able to know how this kid is coz nelson gonna bench him until the end of the season.
  12. Tuyen
    12. Posted by Tuyen Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    Yeah I agree with you re: BJ's upside. But I can't help but think he'll be closer to Marbury than anything else. Or worse, Telfair.
  13. Jeremy S
    13. Posted by Jeremy S Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    I think saying the Warriors without a superstar aren't going to the Playoffs next year is not true. Give them a fully healthy squad and I think they make the playoffs last year, I watched every game, and the team with the true Monta, Jack, Maggette, Randolph, Biedrins, Turiaf, Azubuike, and Watson were a force to be reckoned with.
  14. Mike A
    14. Posted by Mike A Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    I still say they try and move up for Rubio! Give Memphis a choice of Crawford, Magettie, Wright, or Buke along with the #7 for the #2. This kid is going to be sick for a long time! If that doesn't pan out, than snatch up BJ or Evans.
  15. ANA HILDAR
    15. Posted by ANA HILDAR Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:44 pm EDT

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    We are goin to playoffs.yall just watch.
  16. Rymo
    16. Posted by Rymo Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    Thank you 15! Grizz dont want that pick and they know it, Larry Riley needs to make moves for Rubio!
  17. DOC
    17. Posted by DOC Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    Did people not see the Monta/ Point Forward Jax division kind of working and worth a little more time. How can you put that kind of undersize combo in your back court. Did you not see the A.I. and Rip bomb in Detroit last year. Please Riley/Nelson draft size in the back court if you going that way. The kid from USC is good compromise. Or better yet a punishing low post presents. Earl Clark would be nice, even short azz Blair would be a fit on this team. Let Morrow mature as 2 guard threat. How about a lock down defense player. Offense ain't really our problem and seven is nice pick, not to be wasted. That being said I have seen this play in the open court and he is nutz. Rent the documentary about NYC play ground basketball done by the Beastie Boyz for a treat.
  18. PHEEZY
    18. Posted by PHEEZY Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    chauncey billups + fresh prince will smith = brandon jennings(in that picture)
  19. mark s
    19. Posted by mark s Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    thas coo
  20. brandon k
    20. Posted by brandon k Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    Take BJ
    tell him to cut his hair
    let him mature, develop into a solid point guard
    keep monta at his natural position
    then we have a playoff calibur team
    BJ/Monta/Jack/Randolph/Biedrins
    I would love it if we got Bosh to, but that would just be dumb
  21. Derek K
    21. Posted by Derek K Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    Jennings is definetly who I want but Nelly won't play him I'm sure because of his age. The Dubs will take flynn and jennings will go on to be a young damon stoudimere type PG somewhere else......sigh.
  22. Stuart T
    22. Posted by Stuart T Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:08 pm EDT

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    Sign and trade with the Bucks for restricted FA, Ramon Sessions.
    Bucks get number 7 pick. Warriors get number 10 and Sessions.
  23. Roger Mason Jr. = Hero
    23. Posted by Roger Mason Jr. = Hero Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    But who's going to draft "play"
  24. Marvin
    24. Posted by Marvin Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    "Why Believe"
  25. trueaznstayreel
    25. Posted by trueaznstayreel Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    oh god, this isn't going to turn out well.

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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