WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The players drafted before Stephen Curry in the 2009 NBA Draft
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Stephen Curry is arguably the greatest basketball player in the world right now.
While it is not unusual for an all-time great to slip past the first pick in the NBA Draft, it is strange to see a talent like Curry not be drafted until six other players have come off the board.
Below, we take a look at the six teams that passed on Curry, who they chose instead, and where those players are now.
1. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesPosition: Power forward
All-Star games: 5
All-NBA team: 2nd team (three times), 3rd team (one time)
Championships: 0
What was said at the time: "Griffin has some holes. He'll be beat defensively. He isn't the sturdiest in the low post, as he tends to fall to his left or right when he should be jumping straight up for jump hooks. The same glitch hurts his jump shot. He isn't 7-feet tall, either. And that's about it. The guy is a stud." — Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo Sports
Where he is now: Not all of the picks ahead of Curry were busts. In fact, there are a couple that can be argued were not mistakes at all, including Griffin, a perennial All-Star on a championship contender.
2. Hasheem Thabeet, Memphis Grizzlies
YouTube/D-LeaguePosition: Center
All-Star games: 0
All-NBA team: 0
Championships: 0
What was said at the time: "I am not a huge fan of Thabeet but understand why the Grizzlies went that way. Ricky Rubio wasn't cooperating, and Thabeet can help the Grizzlies, who needed a big, athletic shot-blocker. He is limited offensively, but he can change the game on defense." — Chad Ford of ESPN.com
Where he is now: Thabeet played for four NBA teams in five years, and that doesn't even include his two stints in the D-League. Out of the NBA completely during the 2014-2015 season, Thabeet played in the D-League and was last seen being ejected from a Summer League game.
3. James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesPosition: Shooting guard
All-Star games: 3
All-NBA team: 1st team (two times), 3rd team (one time)
Championships: 0
What was said at the time: "While I thought the Thunder might be able to use Ricky Rubio as a trade asset, if nothing else, it's hard to fault Sam Presti. Harden is a better fit in the backcourt with Russell Westbrook" — Chad Ford of ESPN.com
Where he is now: After being traded to Houston, Harden has thrived in the Rockets' offense, which emphasizes 3-pointers and driving to the basket. Harden finished second in the MVP voting for the 2014-2015 season.
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