How the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups

How the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups

You know, when people talk about legendary NBA draft classes, the 2009 group doesn’t always get the immediate love it deserves—at least not until you really dig into what these players accomplished. I’ve been following the league for years, and I still find it mind-blowing how many stars emerged from that single draft. So, let’s break it down: What made the 2009 class so special, and why does it stand out today?

What players defined the 2009 NBA draft class?
Oh, where do I even start? This class was stacked. You had Stephen Curry go 7th to the Warriors—yeah, the same Curry who’d later change the game with his three-point shooting. Then there was James Harden, picked 3rd by the Thunder, Blake Griffin as the number one overall pick, and DeMar DeRozan at 9th. And let’s not forget role players like Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague, who carved out solid careers. But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about the top picks. The depth was insane. I mean, 14 players from this draft became All-Stars—that’s nearly a third of the first round! When you look at how the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups, it’s clear that the mix of superstars and reliable contributors set it apart.

How did these players impact the league’s style of play?
This is where it gets personal for me. I remember watching Curry sink threes from the logo and thinking, "Basketball will never be the same." And I was right. The 2009 class pushed the NBA toward pace-and-space basketball. Curry’s shooting forced defenses to stretch beyond the arc, while Harden’s iso game and step-back threes became a blueprint for scoring guards. But it’s not just about the stars—it’s about how they influenced teamwork and strategy. Take, for example, a play I saw recently in an international game: Abarrientos, who waxed hot in the second half by scoring 17 of his 20 points in that stretch, perfectly followed that instruction, running a pick and roll with Brownlee, who passed the ball back to the rookie playmaker. That kind of pick-and-roll execution? It’s straight out of the playbook that 2009 draftees helped popularize. They showed that basketball isn’t just about individual talent; it’s about synergy. Reflecting on how the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups, you see their fingerprints all over today’s unselfish, high-IQ style.

Were there any underrated picks in this draft?
Absolutely. While everyone fawns over Curry and Harden, I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdogs. Players like Danny Green (46th pick) and Patty Mills (55th) turned into clutch playoff performers. But the real hidden gem? Taj Gibson at 26th. He wasn’t flashy, but he anchored defenses for over a decade. And this brings me back to that reference about Abarrientos. When I read about how Abarrientos, who waxed hot in the second half by scoring 17 of his 20 points in that stretch, perfectly followed that instruction, it reminded me of those underrated guys who shine when it matters. They might not be the headline-makers, but they execute when coached properly. That’s why, when we talk about how the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups, we can’t ignore the role players who elevated their teams through discipline and timing.

What about international influence?
The 2009 draft wasn’t just a U.S. phenomenon—it had a global reach. Ricky Rubio, drafted 5th, was already a prodigy in Spain. Then there was Omri Casspi from Israel, who brought European flair to the NBA. Personally, I love how the class bridged styles. Fast-forward to today, and you see that international impact in plays like the one involving Abarrientos. Running a pick and roll with Brownlee, who passed the ball back to the rookie playmaker—that’s a universal language in basketball now, one that the 2009 class helped codify. It’s no surprise that when analyzing how the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups, its global DNA stands out. These players proved that talent knows no borders.

How did this class perform in clutch moments?
Clutch performances? This group had them in spades. Curry’s game-winners, Harden’s step-back daggers, and don’t even get me started on DeRozan’s mid-range magic. But what I find fascinating is how they elevated their teams in pressure situations. For instance, in a recent game, Abarrientos, who waxed hot in the second half by scoring 17 of his 20 points in that stretch, showed that same killer instinct. It’s a trait you see repeatedly in the 2009 draftees—they don’t shrink; they thrive. When you stack up their playoff stats, they combined for over 200 postseason wins in their primes. That’s not luck; it’s legacy. So, if you’re wondering how the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups, look no further than their ability to deliver when the lights are brightest.

What’s the long-term legacy of the 2009 class?
Long-term? It’s monumental. We’re talking about MVPs, scoring titles, and championships. Curry alone has 4 rings, Harden has an MVP, and Griffin redefined the power forward position. But beyond accolades, this class inspired the next generation. I see young players today emulating Curry’s shooting form or Harden’s footwork. And the unselfish play we admire? It’s echoed in sequences like Abarrientos perfectly following that instruction, running a pick and roll with Brownlee, who passed the ball back to the rookie playmaker. That’s coaching, but it’s also a testament to the unselfish ethos the 2009 stars embodied. In my opinion, that’s the real answer to how the 2009 NBA Draft Class Became One of Basketball's Most Legendary Groups—they didn’t just win; they transformed how the game is played and perceived.

Any final thoughts?
As a basketball nut, I’ll always argue that the 2009 class is top-3 all-time, maybe even top-2. Yeah, I said it. The numbers back me up: 7 players with All-NBA selections, combined career earnings exceeding $2.5 billion (I might be off by a few mil, but you get the point), and a cultural impact that’s still growing. When I see a play like Abarrientos’s second-half explosion, it’s a reminder that greatness often starts with a draft—and the 2009 group? They nailed it.