2009 NBA Draft Odds: It is all but a certainly that the Los Angeles Clippers will select Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin with the first pick in tonight's draft, but things should get interesting after that. One of the hottest prospects in this year's draft crop is Arizona State guard James Harden. Online bookmaker BetUS.com has him listed at +150 on the moneyline to be selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the third overall pick in their James Harden 2009 NBA Draft Odds.
James Harden wowed potential suitors this past college basketball season by posting averages of 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assist per game. Harden helped led the Arizona State Sun Devils to a 22-8 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, where they garnered a 66-57 first round win over Temple.
In his two seasons at ASU, the 19 year old Harden averaged 19 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He also shot 50.6 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.
The Thunder seems like a likely landing spot for Harden as they do not have a true two guard, at least one of any consequence, on their roster. Kevin Durant played mostly at the small forward last season and figures to do so again next year. Harden would greatly bolster the team's offensive attack, which ranked near the bottom of the league at 97 points per game.
Should the Thunder pass on Harden and go with Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, as they are favored to do at BetUS.com, then the Timberwolves at the five and six spots in the draft would, no doubt, claim the 6'5" Los Angeles native.
Harden displayed an abillty to finish at the rim both out of the set and in transition in his days in Tempe, and he certainly demonstrated his soft shooting touch while there. He is regarded as a smart player with the kind of all-around game that warrants top five consideration. However, some critics have suggested that Harden is not athletic enough to be one of the upper echelon two guards in the NBA.
The 2009 NBA Draft is set to take place at 7:00pm ET tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York.
BetUS.com James Harden 2009 NBA Draft Odds
Who will the Grizzilies take at number 2:
Hasheem Thabeet -250
Ricky Rubio +150
James Harden +425
Brandon Jennings +1000
Jordan Hill +1400
Any Other +500
Who will the Thunder pick at number 3:
Ricky Rubio +100
James Harden +150
Hasheem Thabeet +175
Brandon Jennings +1000
DeMar DeRozan +1000
Any Other +350
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