I still remember sitting in my dorm room watching the 2009 NBA Draft unfold, completely unaware that this particular class would fundamentally reshape basketball as we knew it. At the time, everyone was focused on Blake Griffin going first overall - and rightfully so, the guy was an athletic marvel. But what nobody could have predicted was how this draft would produce players who would influence everything from positionless basketball to the global expansion of the game. Looking back now, it's clear this class created ripples that transformed the NBA landscape in ways we're still experiencing today.
What strikes me most about the 2009 class is how many players developed into foundational pieces for modern basketball. Stephen Curry went seventh to Golden State, and I'll admit I was among those who doubted whether his game would translate to the NBA. His Davidson highlights were incredible, sure, but could a relatively slight guard who relied so heavily on outside shooting really dominate at the highest level? Oh, how wrong we were. Curry didn't just translate - he revolutionized the game. Before Curry, teams averaged around 18 three-point attempts per game. Last season? That number jumped to nearly 35. That's not just evolution, that's a revolution, and Curry was the catalyst.
Then there's James Harden, who went third to Oklahoma City. I remember watching him come off the bench behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, thinking he was destined for a solid sixth-man career. Instead, he developed into an MVP and perfected the step-back three that's now in every young player's arsenal. The way Harden manipulated spacing and pace changed how teams approach offensive sets entirely. His isolation-heavy style might have drawn criticism, but you can't deny its impact - nearly every team now has at least one player who models their game after his hesitation dribbles and step-backs.
But here's what often gets overlooked about the 2009 draft class - its global impact. Players like Ricky Rubio (fifth pick) and later draft selections like Patrick Mills paved the way for the international influx we see today. This global influence reminds me of contemporary international players making their mark, much like how 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. These international players brought different styles, different rhythms to the game, forcing NBA teams to adapt and evolve defensively. The league's international presence has exploded since 2009, with nearly a quarter of current NBA players born outside the United States compared to just about 15% back then.
The class also gave us DeMar DeRozan at ninth pick, who ironically became an antidote to the three-point revolution he witnessed. While everyone was jumping on the three-point bandwagon, DeRozan perfected the mid-range game, proving that old-school basketball still had value in the modern era. I've always appreciated his stubborn commitment to his craft, even when analytics suggested he should adapt. His success helped spark the current resurgence of the mid-range game we're seeing from players like Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.
What's fascinating to me is how these players' careers intertwined and influenced each other. Curry's Warriors battling Harden's Rockets in those epic Western Conference playoffs pushed both players to new heights. Those series weren't just games - they were philosophical battles about how basketball should be played. The pace-and-space Warriors versus the isolation-heavy Rockets created some of the most compelling basketball narratives of the past decade.
The longevity of this class is another remarkable aspect. Fourteen years later, Curry just won his fourth championship, Harden continues to be an elite playmaker, and DeRozan just had arguably his best statistical season. How many draft classes can claim such sustained excellence? The 2003 class with LeBron James comes to mind, but 2009 might have the second-best argument for long-term impact.
I think what made this class special was its timing - they entered the league right as analytics were taking hold, social media was exploding, and basketball was becoming truly global. They didn't just adapt to these changes; they drove them. Curry showed how devastating three-point shooting could be when built around an entire system. Harden demonstrated how a single player could dominate possession and create unprecedented offensive efficiency. Players like Jrue Holiday (17th pick) redefined what we expect from two-way guards.
When I watch basketball today, I see the fingerprints of the 2009 draft class everywhere. The emphasis on three-point shooting, the value placed on international talent, the resurgence of skilled big men who can stretch the floor - all these trends either started or accelerated because of this remarkable group of players. They didn't just play the game; they changed how it's played, coached, and even how front offices are constructed. The modern NBA, with its pace, space, and global flavor, owes more to the 2009 draft class than any of us could have imagined that night in my dorm room. And honestly? I feel privileged to have witnessed their entire journey unfold.