This is an exciting time of year in the NBA, with the Conference Finals just around the corner for those fortunate enough to still be playing and the draft just around the corner for those looking to re-tool. Draft prospects are preparing themselves for what could be the biggest day of their lives. As part of our pre-draft coverage, HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the draft eligible players with the biggest upside.

Blake Griffin PF, Oklahoma
Griffin is widely considered the top prospect in this year's draft and, considering the numbers he put up in his sophomore campaign with the Sooners that is no surprise. Griffin was named the National Player of the Year by five publications this year after averaging 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.
Griffin will bring an NBA-ready body and outstanding athleticism to whichever team selects him and the few holes in his game are largely correctable. While his shooting range and free throw shooting are suspect, shooting is one thing that can be dramatically improved with hard work and time spent in the gym.

Griffin possesses tremendous touch and is a strong finisher around the rim, using his outstanding body control and freakish explosiveness to separate from defenders and get to the basket. His ball-handling has improved dramatically since he arrived in Norman, showing that Griffin has an outstanding work ethic that will prove to be essential to Griffin reaching his maximum potential at the NBA level.

Ricky Rubio PG, Spain
Rubio is one of the youngest players available in this year's draft and may struggle to find minutes on the floor early in his career, but has played at a very high level in the Euroleague and International competition at just 18 years old.

At 6'4", 180 lbs., Rubio has good size for an NBA point guard but one of his biggest strengths is his long arms, allowing him to wreak havoc in passing lanes and making him a pesky off the ball defender. Without elite athleticism or lateral quickness, Rubio could, however, have a difficult time staying in front of the quicker NBA point guards. His shooting range is limited and will have to improve in order for him to become a truly great NBA player but, again, that can be improved with time in the gym.

Rubio is a fierce competitor who plays every second he is on the floor as if it was his last and makes up for his average athleticism with a high basketball I.Q. and a remarkable feel for the game, especially for a player of his age. His court vision and ability to pass in traffic, setting up teammates for easy baskets, drawing comparisons to two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash.

Hasheem Thabeet C, Connecticut
Thabeet is one of the best shot blockers to come out of college in recent history who saw his numbers and efficiency improve throughout the course of his time in Storrs, developing his offensive game to a respectable level while never averaging less than 3.8 blocks per game in the competitive Big East Conference.

There are legitimate concerns about the 7'3", 265 lb., center's ability to become a consistent low post scorer at the NBA level due to the fact that Thabeet got a majority of his scoring opportunities off of offensive rebounds and cuts to the basket rather than post entries where the big man had to rely on post moves to garner scoring opportunities. Thabeet lacks great hands, struggling to catch the basketball particularly in traffic and his passing ability leaves something to be desired.

On the flip-side of the coin, Thabeet's shot blocking ability is off the charts and, despite his offensive limitations, he has drawn comparisons to some of the great centers in the history of the game. While Thabeet has proven to be developing his offensive skills set to at least a modest level, he reminds me of four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo.

DeMar DeRozan SF, Southern California
DeRozan is the first "one and done" player to make this list (although Rubio is the youngest) and his youth and athleticism make the Trojans' freshman one of the most intriguing prospects in this June's draft. DeRozan's game is far from a finished product but his ceiling is as high as any player available this season.

DeRozan has several holes in his game but has the ability through his athleticism and work ethic to turn his weaknesses into strengths. The swingman must improve his shooting range, decision making and defensive fundamentals, but possesses all the natural skills to become proficient at each. DeRozan is more of an athlete than a basketball player at this stage of his career, making him little more than a project early in his career.

A strong rebounder, DeRozan has an NBA-ready body that, teamed with his athleticism, will allow him to defend multiple positions in the NBA. With an advanced mid-range game and outstanding ability to finish through contact around the rim, DeRozan will be an immediate matchup problem while on the offensive end of the floor. DeRozan's skill set will allow him to become as good a player as he wants to be.

Ty Lawson PG, North Carolina
Lawson came very close to leaving Chapel Hill last year but decided to return to North Carolina for his junior season and another opportunity to win a national championship. The Tar Heels did just that and Lawson displayed the ability to dominate the game as both a scorer and distributor for Head Coach Roy Williams.

Lawson is something of a liability on the defensive end of the floor and struggled to stay in front of the quicker guards at the college level, lacking the ideal size (6'0", 195 lbs.) of the prototypical NBA point guard. Lawson shot over 47 percent from behind the arc in his final season on campus but will have to improve upon his mid-range game at the NBA level.

Many felt coming into his junior season that Lawson wasn't a particularly tough player, questioning his desire and ability to play through pain. Those questions were answered resoundingly in the NCAA Tournament, where he averaged over 25 points and almost seven assists per game despite playing with an injured big toe on his right foot on the way to being named to the 2009 NCAA All-Tournament Team. Lawson is lightning quick and is remarkable in the open court, using his speed, ball-handling and court vision to create easy scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Lawson will make an instant impact on offense at the NBA level and, if he continues to improve his mid-range game and defense, has the ability to play at an all-star level.

Tyreke Evans PG, Memphis
Evans is another "one and done" player who, after a tremendous freshman season, opted to forego his final three years of college eligibility and enter the NBA Draft. Evans immediately became Head Coach John Calipari's primary scoring option, averaging over 17 points per game and leading a depleted Tigers team to the Sweet 16, despite the loss of three starters from last year's squad to the NBA.

The 6'6" guard is caught, somewhat, between two positions. Evans isn't ready to be a full-time point guard at the NBA level, as he plays out of control at times and must improve his assist-to-turnover ratio and overall decision making skills. The freshman also must improve his shooting range after shooting just 27.4 percent from behind the arc last season.

Despite some glaring weaknesses in his game, Evans has unlimited potential. He has prototypical size and athleticism to go along with the ability to defend multiple positions effectively. Evans spear-headed one of the best defenses in the nation during his only season at Memphis, proving to be a capable two-way player while emerging as the team leader. His NBA-ready frame, basketball I.Q. and killer's mentality will help Evans make the transition into the NBA game very quickly.

Jrue Holiday PG, UCLA
Holiday hit the UCLA campus as one of the most highly touted recruits in the country and, after a slow start, emerged as one of the blossoming young stars in college basketball. Without one shining strength or glaring weakness, the freshman proved to be solid, if unspectacular, during his lone campaign under Head Coach Ben Howland.

The 6'3" point guard played a limited role behind Darren Collison while in Westwood, leaving some doubt as to how big a role he will be able to play at the game's highest level. The freshman isn't a true point guard, leaving some questions regarding where he will be best suited to play in the NBA.

Holiday does several things particularly well, however, and has a high basketball IQ to go along with being a tremendous defensive player, both on and off the ball with the ability to guard more than one position. Holiday fits comfortably as role player and is an unselfish player, willing to the back seat while possessing the ability to be a dominant player at times. Holiday is a bit of a project and may never put up huge numbers but his winning mentality and unselfishness reminds me of Denver's Chauncey Billups.

guess who didn't make the list... IMHO w/the sole exception of Lawson, these are the only prospects the Knicks should be looking at... i know there are good prospects like Curry, Clark & Harden in this draft, but we need to be shooting for the ones w/the biggest upside potential at this point... gotta swing for the fences w/this pick, no more time to play it safe anymore... we need a star in the worst way possible.

[Edited by - TMS on 06-08-2009 8:32 PM]

Posted by TMS:

guess who didn't make the list... IMHO w/the sole exception of Lawson, these are the only prospects the Knicks should be looking at... i know there are good prospects like Curry, Clark & Harden in this draft, but we need to be shooting for the ones w/the biggest upside potential at this point... gotta swing for the fences w/this pick, no more time to play it safe anymore... we need a star in the worst way possible.

[Edited by - TMS on 06-08-2009 8:32 PM]

Last year, we took a project. This year, I'm thinking we need to play it safe, and even if we take Curry, it's no guarantee, same as Derozan. To me, Curry has that type of game that can advance his teams in the playoffs. And if he can play the point, his upside is just as great as just about everyone in this draft besides Griffin and Thabeet. I'm starting to realize Curry is the best we can go for now, besides the other two I mentioned.

Besides, we already have Danillo and Wilson so we can't really afford to use our pick on a 2/3 swingman.

i really like harden he reminds me of brandon roy drfting wise people were scared of his speed athleticism but the guy just flat out plays i really hope we can get him he will solve our problems at the 2

You know who I'm rooting for a two way player in Evans, Calipari made the mistake by making him play SG and he struggled. After the switch to point Memphis went on tear, and also was one of the better defensive team out there. He ran the offense and played great defense I think it's about time we added someone of that ilk to this team.