I found the 2009 NBA Draft to be very interesting and definitely reflective of the change in NBA rules as it relates to player-to-player contact.  In years past, the first objective for an emerging team was to draft a high-scoring player, especially a post player.  But I saw this draft overall as being unusually top-heavy in combo-type point and scoring guards.  I think the types of players that teams drafted may be a byproduct of the “no touch” rules for the defense.  Such rule changes affecting how defensive players make contact with the offensive players mean that lead guards can have a much bigger impact on the game than in previous eras.

I have seen and played against the quick and explosive players like Allen Iverson, Rajon Rondo, Tony Parker, and Steve Nash, who are usually adept at leaving defenders in their tracks with their sheer speed.  There are also the power lead guards like Baron Davis, Andre Miller, Jason Kidd, and Chauncey Billups, who use their strength to gain their advantage on most occasions.  But now I am seeing a new wave of combo floor generals emerge, and I think it is reflective in large part of the draft. 

Today’s NBA teams have turned over the game plans to playmakers like Chris Paul, Jameer Nelson, Brandon Roy, and Deron Williams.  These new lead guards are still very quick and superb ball handlers, but they are also very physical in their style of play.  One time they will come at you with speed and shifty ball handling, and the next time they may try to “bully” you, sticking their shoulder into you as they head to the hoop.  They initiate the contact as much as they change gears, in an effort to gain their offensive advantage.    I have witnessed this causing a lot of confusion with officials who are now forced to work extra hard in determining just who is creating an unfair advantage.  Most of the time, the foul is on the defender. 

Another interesting aspect of these new playmakers is their range in size.  Some are under 6’, while others are 6’5” and taller.  What makes them all similar, though, is the fact that they are as likely to blast you as blow by you.

So when I look at the draft, I see organizations anticipating a wide-open and athletic game plan and selecting players accordingly.   Some of the players selected are not nearly as talented or refined as the aforementioned NBA stars, but they do display uncanny combinations of size, physicality, athletic ability, and speed.  Such diversity may have fans wondering which position they will play once they get into the NBA.   

In the draft, Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin was a no-brainer. His size, explosiveness, tough demeanor, and athletic ability cannot be taught.  I expect him, along with Hasheem Thabeet (Grizzlies), to be very productive big men over the life of their careers and emerge as some of the best post players that have entered the NBA.

Things got very interesting, then, as talented but unpolished players like James Harden (Thunder), Tyreke Evans (Kings), Jonny Flynn (Timberwolves), Brandon Jennings (Bucks), and DeMar Derozan (Raptors) were selected early by their teams.  No doubt this was a result of their enormous potential, athletic ability, and physical style of playmaking.

I can’t wait to get out to some of the NBA summer league games and off-season training camps to see the progress of these players. The league could be witnessing another revolution of style and talent.