Draft time: Clippers in Griffin's future as the likely No. 1 pick News Indiana Pacers

Related stories: What's in store for Griffin? Thunder ponder first No. 1 pick. Shortly after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, NBA commissioner David Stern will stroll to the podium at Madison Square Garden in New York and reveal the worst-kept secret regarding this year's NBA draft. Stern's words likely will be this: "With the first pick in the 2009 NBA draft, the Los Angeles Clippers select Blake Griffin from the University of Oklahoma." With that expected announcement, Griffin will join former Stillwater High School player Jim Barnes as the earliest NBA draft pick ever with Oklahoma ties. However, it does not ensure stardom for the former OU forward.

There have been 27 NBA first-round selections with Oklahoma ties since the draft's inception in 1957. But only a few truly have had long-lasting careers of distinction in the league. And of course, there is Griffin's likely employer the dreadful Clippers. Los Angeles' "other" NBA team has made the playoffs once in the last 12 seasons and finished at least .500 once in the past 16 seasons. Draft standouts Five first-round draft choices with state ties who flourished in the NBA 1. Paul Pressey, Tulsa, selected by Milwaukee in 1982: The Rubber Band Man was selected 20th overall, behind such ignominious players like Bill Garnett, Keith Edmonson, David Thirdkill and Brook Steppe. Pressey became a fixture on perennial Bucks playoff teams throughout the 1980s. He led the Bucks in assists for five consecutive seasons and was a three-time All-Defensive Team selection. 2. Alvan Adams, Oklahoma, selected by Phoenix in 1975: Adams was picked fourth overall and immediately helped the Suns to prominence. He won Rookie of the Year in 1976 in helping the Suns to their first NBA finals appearance. He played his entire 13-year career in Phoenix and had his jersey No. 33 retired by the organization. 3. Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma, selected by Indiana in 1985: The Booker T. Washington graduate was picked No. 2 overall behind Patrick Ewing. But while Ewing had the fortune to go to New York and star, Tisdale languished with the lowly Pacers before being traded to lowly Sacramento in 1989. It wasn't until he signed with Phoenix in 1994 that Tisdale played on a consistent winner. Still, he contributed wherever he played. In 12 seasons, Tisdale averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. 4. Bobby Smith, Tulsa, selected by San Diego (now Houston) in 1969: Nicknamed "Bingo," Smith was the sixth overall pick by the San Diego Rockets. But he spent nine of his 11 NBA seasons with Cleveland and became one of the Cavaliers' all-time performers. He was noted for his ability to hit jump shots from long range in an era before the 3-point shot. His jersey No. 7 has been retired by the Cavs. 5. Desmond Mason, Oklahoma State, selected by Seattle in 2000: Picked 17th overall, the former OSU standout has been a serviceable performer for the four franchises he has played for. Now playing with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Mason has averaged 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds a game in nine NBA seasons. Clippers Hits And Misses In their 25 years based in Los Angeles, the Clippers have had 18 top-10 draft picks and had the No. 1 overall selection twice. But having high draft choices on a regular basis has not helped the fortunes of the franchise. More than a few of those high picks never panned out. Can Blake Griffin change the culture of misfortune that has been the Clippers' label for a quarter century? HITS Al Thornton: The 2007 first-round pick from Florida State moved into the starting lineup last season at small forward averaging 16.8 points a game. Lamar Odom: Selected No. 4 overall in 1999, he averaged nearly 17 points a game his first two seasons in L.A. before injuries and drug problems forced him out. Danny Manning: The No. 1 overall pick in 1988, the former Kansas star became the franchise's first NBA All-Star Game representative before getting traded to Atlanta in February 1994. MISSES Chris Wilcox: The Clippers used the No. 8 pick in 2002 on the Maryland power forward, who is now with his fourth team. One pick later, Phoenix chose Amare Stoudemire, who became a star power forward. Michael Olowokandi: Labeled by some as the biggest bust in NBA draft history. The center from Pacific was the No. 1 overall pick in 1998 ahead of future All-Stars Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce. Injuries curtailed Olowokandi to 366 career games in nine seasons. Lorenzen Wright: Picked No. 7 overall in 1996, Wright has been a journeyman center with five NBA clubs. While the Clippers were wrong on Wright, the neighboring Lakers got it right six picks later by choosing Kobe Bryant. All-time first-round draft choices with Oklahoma ties 1964: Jim Barnes (played at Stillwater High School), selected No. 1 overall by the New York Knicks. 1967: Al Tucker (played at Oklahoma Baptist), selected No. 6 overall by the Seattle SuperSonics. 1968: Charles Paulk (played at Northeastern State), selected No. 7 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. 1969: Bobby Smith (played at Tulsa), selected No. 6 overall by the San Diego Rockets. 1971: Dana Lewis (played at Tulsa), selected No. 12 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. 1975: Alvan Adams (played at Oklahoma), selected No. 4 overall by the Phoenix Suns. 1977: Anthony Roberts (played at Oral Roberts) selected No. 21 overall by the Denver Nuggets. 1978: Winford Boynes (played at OKC Capitol Hill High School), selected No. 13 overall by the New Jersey Nets. 1982: Paul Pressey (played at Tulsa), selected No. 20 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. 1985: Wayman Tisdale (played at Oklahoma), selected No. 2 overall by the Indiana Pacers. 1985: Steve Harris (played at Tulsa), selected No. 19 overall by the Houston Rockets 1988: Harvey Grant (played at Oklahoma), selected No. 12 overall by the Washington Bullets. 1989: Stacey King (played at Oklahoma), selected No. 6 overall by the Chicago Bulls. 1989: Mookie Blaylock (played at Oklahoma), selected No. 12 overall by the New Jersey Nets. 1991: John Turner (played at Phillips University- Enid), selected No. 20 overall by the Houston Rockets. 1992: Lee Mayberry (played at Rogers High School), selected No. 23 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. 1992: Elmore Spencer (played at Connors State College), selected No. 25 overall by the L.A. Angeles Clippers. 1992: Byron Houston (played at Oklahoma State), selected No. 27 overall by the Chicago Bulls. 1994: Brooks Thompson (played at Oklahoma State), selected No. 27 overall by the Orlando Magic. 1995: Bryant Reeves (played at Oklahoma State), selected No. 6 overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies. 2000: Etan Thomas (played at Booker T. Washington High School), selected No. 12 overall by the Dallas Mavericks. 2000: Desmond Mason (played at Oklahoma State), selected by No. 17 overall by the Seattle SuperSonics. 2002: Ryan Humphrey (played at Booker T. Washington High School), selected No. 19 overall by the Utah Jazz. 2004: Tony Allen (played at Oklahoma State), selected No. 25 overall by the Boston Celtics. 2005: Joey Graham (played at Oklahoma State), selected No. 16 overall by the Toronto Raptors. 2006: Shelden Williams (played at Midwest City High School), selected No. 5 overall by the Atlanta Hawks. 2008: J.R. Giddens (played at OKC John Marshall High School), selected No. 30 overall by the Boston Celtics. NBA Draft Order First round 1. L.A. Clippers 2. Memphis 3. Oklahoma City 4. Sacramento 5. Minnesota (from Washington) 6. Minnesota 7. Golden State 8. New York 9. Toronto 10. Milwaukee 11. New Jersey 12. Charlotte 13. Indiana 14. Phoenix 15. Detroit 16. Chicago 17. Philadelphia 18. Minnesota (from Miami) 19. Atlanta 20. Utah 21. New Orleans 22. Portland (from Dallas) 23. Sacramento (from Houston) 24. Dallas (from Portland) 25. Oklahoma City (from San Antonio) 26. Chicago (from Denver through Oklahoma City) 27. Memphis (from Orlando) 28. Minnesota (from Boston) 29. L.A. Lakers 30. Cleveland SUBHEAD: Clippers in Griffin's future as the likely No. 1 pick NBA DRAFT 6:30 P.M. THURSDAY ESPN-25