Now that Stephen Curry has won back-to-back MVP awards, including the distinction of being the first unanimous selection, let's review again the six players drafted before him.
This isn't quite the same situation as Tom Brady lasting until the sixth round and having six quarterbacks drafted ahead of him. But if there could be a do-over for the 2009 NBA draft, this would be another unanimous decision for Curry.
Warriors fans should be familiar with the premise of a player being drafted seventh overall and turning into a superstar while players selected before him fizzled. That's what happened in 1985 when Golden State was happy to grab Chris Mullin after the likes of Jon Koncak, Joe Kleine and Benoit Benjamin were taken.
In Curry's case, two of those drafted in the top six have been perennial All-Stars, but two others are no longer in the league.
1. Blake Griffin, Clippers
Griffin has been voted to the All-NBA second team twice. He has had injury issues, but all things considered, Griffin has delivered as advertised.
2. Hasheem Thabeet, Grizzlies
The 7-foot-3 center from UConn and Tanzania bounced around with four teams and has been out of the NBA since 2014. Ouch!
3. James Harden, Thunder
After being NBA Sixth Man of the Year with Oklahoma City in 2012, Harden was dealt to Houston and has been a first-team All-NBA selection twice. He was also part of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.
4. Tyreke Evans, Kings
Evans was the NBA rookie of the year in 2010 after averaging 20.1 points and 5.8 assists. (Curry averaged 17.5 points as a rookie.) But Evans hasn't been able to match his rookie numbers, with injuries playing a role. The Kings traded him to New Orleans in 2013.
5. Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves
Rubio, the first point guard taken, stayed in the Spanish league for two seasons before coming to the NBA. He is a clever playmaker, but hardly the type of game-breaking scorer Curry is.
6. Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves
Minnesota had consecutive picks, thanks to a trade with Washington. Since the Timberwolves already selected Rubio, it was puzzling that they took another point guard. Flynn had a respectable rookie season, averaging 13.5 points, 4.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 steals. But after brief stints in Houston and Portland, he has been playing overseas (Australia, China, Italy) since 2012.
7. Stephen Curry, Warriors
The term "game-changer" gets tossed around a lot in sports, but that might actually be an understatement with Curry.
