Back in 2005, the NBA Draft was heralded for its talented trio of floor generals.  The third, fourth and fifth picks gave us Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Raymond Felton – three amazing collegiate point guards who each could have very easily been picked ahead of the first two picks in the draft – Andrew Bogut and Marvin Williams.

Those three team leaders – particularly Williams and Paul – have dominated any discussion related to the NBA point guard position (along with 2-time MVP Steve Nash).  Over the subsequent three drafts, only one ‘ready-made’ point guard was drafted (Derrick Rose) and one other point guard prospect (Rajon Rondo). 

But the 2009 NBA Draft stands to make a grand impact on the scope of the point guard position in the Association.  Let’s look at the crop that got picked in the latest draft:

Darren Collison has proven that he can be a starting point guard in the NBA.

Pick #4 – Tyreke Evans:  Averaging 20-5-5, Evans’ size (6’6″, 220 lbs.) may him the ultimate playmaker.  He has the ability to easily see the floor, and he can be matched up against ones, twos and threes.  The former Memphis Tiger has great penetration ability and, with the recent trade of Kevin Martin, has already been given control of the Sacramento franchise.

Pick #6 – Jonny Flynn:  From day one, Flynn has been the floor general for the Timberwolves.  The rookie’s 14 points and 4 assists per game don’t tell his true value to a franchise that has sorely lacked a leader.  Minnesota has five players scoring in double figures, and that’s a testament to the job that Flynn has done.

Pick #7 – Stephen Curry:  While fighting shot happy Monta Ellis for ball handling duties, Stephen Curry has fit right into the Golden State system.  Curry has put up some very impressive scoring games, but most importantly he is facilitating the team’s ball movement.  He’s putting up 15 points and 5 assists a night.

Pick #10 – Brandon Jennings:  Jennings has made his mark on the NBA in a variety of ways.  He has scored 55 points in a game (a rookie record).  Jennings has put the Bucks in a legitimate position to make the playoffs.  And finally, he has had more interesting haircuts in one year than most of us have had in our entire lives.

Pick #21 – Darren Collison:  He’s making a lot of GMs (the ones that needed a point guard after the 10th pick and passed on him) look bad right now.  After Chris Paul went down to injury, Collison assumed his role of leadership and has done a magnificent job.  In his last seven games, Darren has averaged 23.7 ppg and 8.9 apg…and he’s even recorded a triple-double (18 pts, 13 rebs, 12 assts against the Indiana Pacers).

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