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2009 NBA Draft Preview: SHOOTING GUARDS

June 16, 2009
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Well, it's that time again! With the NBA Draft just over one week away, cavs.com takes a position-by-position look at who might be available in this year's class. Today, we take a look at some of the Draft's top shooting guards.
Point Guards | Power Forwards

Chase Budinger – 6-7, 206 – Born: May 22, 1988 (Carlsbad, CA) – College: Arizona – If the former volleyball star can add weight to his frame, he might be able to play the 2 or 3 at the next level. Scouts love his great basketball IQ, fluent mechanics and, above all, 40-inch vertical. Budinger is an unselfish player and above-average rebounder. On the negative side, he’s not a strong one-on-one player and needs work on ball-handling to survive at two-guard in the NBA. He doesn’t have great lateral quickness and there are concerns about his “mean streak.” He finishes well in traffic and has excellent hands. His volleyball skills are evident in his offensive rebounding efficiency.

Wayne Ellington – 6-5, 202 – Born: October 29, 1987 (Wynnewood, PA) – College: North Carolina – One of the best pure shooters in the draft, Ellington is lethal coming off screens, spotting up or off the dribble. He knows how to get open or find his own shot. While being a top-flight athlete, the former Tar Heel isn’t known as a physical player – averaging under three FT attempts per game. Scouts feel he’s not great in traffic and tends to fall in love with his perimeter game. Ellington’s not a great defender (yet) and needs to add bulk to his frame, but he is a solid scorer with a picture-perfect shot with great range and the ability to finish at the rim.

Danny Green – 6-6, 208 – Born: June 22, 1987 (North Babylon, NY) – College: North Carolina – Green worked tirelessly on his jumper heading into senior season at UNC and the work paid off. Green is just an average ball-handler and athlete, but scouts feel that he can be a lock-down defender at the NBA level. Green has good upper and lower body strength and moves well without the ball, although he struggles to create his own shot. He’s an excellent rebounder for his size. Like most four-year Tar Heels, he’s a very good passer and decision-maker, flashing his outstanding basketball IQ. He flew under the radar at UNC; possible role player at the next level.

Jermaine Taylor – 6-5, 207 – Born: December 8, 1986 (Tavares, FL) – College: Central Florida – Despite leading the nation in scoring at 32.2 ppg, Taylor didn’t get the national press of his Draft classmates. He’s got an impressive jump shot and is excellent at getting to the rim. Conference-USA’s Player of the Year has an NBA-ready body (posting 18 reps on the bench press as a guard; Blake Griffin put up 22). That great frame allows him to fight through contact at the rim. On the negative side, Taylor’s not a great passer, is just an average ball-handler and doesn’t maximize athletic prowess on the defensive end. He recently blew scouts away at the Portsmouth Invitational.

Terrence Williams – 6-6, 213 – Born: June 28, 1987 (Seattle, WA) – College: Louisville – The senior swingman from Louisville can do a little bit of everything. He’s considered super athletic and relies on his versatility. Sometimes and up-and-down player, he’s been scrutinized for some questionable decisions and his inconsistent jumper. Williams has been one of the most perplexing enigmas in the Draft and could go anywhere from the middle of the first to the middle of the second round. He has an NBA-ready body and was a four-year player for Rick Pitino. He could contribute as a rookie. He has some off-court baggage, but scouts love his physical toughness and fact that he can defend multiple positions.