NBA teams’ future hangs on bounce of a ball
By Scott McCoy
The NBA holds its draft lottery Tuesday — the ping-pong ball extravaganza that can decide a franchise’s future. Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin is generally considered the top prospect available in this year’s draft. But who has the chance to take him will come down to the luck of the draw. Here are some good- and bad-luck moments since the lottery format was introduced in 1985:
Good luck
New York Knicks (1985): The NBA developed the lottery in hopes it would discourage teams from tanking down the stretch to secure a top prospect. In that first lottery, all seven teams that had missed the playoffs had an equal chance at the top pick. The Knicks won and drafted Patrick Ewing. Had the lottery not been ins uted, the Knicks would have owned the No. 3 overall pick. They still might have wound up with a 7-footer, but it would have been Creighton center Benoit Benjamin. Benjamin had a long NBA career, but he scored 15,592 fewer points and grabbed 5,544 fewer rebounds than Ewing. It’s hard to imagine e Lee sitting courtside in a Benjamin jersey.
Orlando Magic (1993): The Magic won the lottery in 1992 and drafted Shaquille O’Neal. Orlando improved by 20 wins the next season but just missed the playoffs at 41-41, meaning it had the smallest chance of winning the lottery again. The Magic beat the odds and became the only team to win the lottery in back-to-back seasons. Orlando drafted Chris Webber and traded his rights to Golden State for Anfernee Hardaway. The combination of O’Neal and Hardaway put the Magic in the Finals within two seasons.
San Antonio Spurs (1997): Sometimes it’s all about timing. The Spurs were already a regular playoff team in the 1990s, but an injury to David Robinson in 1996-97 caused San Antonio to plummet from 59 victories to 20. Tim Duncan just so happened to be the top prospect available. The Vancouver Grizzlies (14 victories) and Boston Celtics (15) had better odds and probably far greater needs for a franchise player, but the Spurs wound up the winners and a dynasty was launched. Other possible ramifications: Rick Pitino went 102-146 over the next 3 1/2 seasons with the Celtics and returned to college, and the Grizzlies moved to Memphis.
Bad luck
Minnesota Timberwolves (1992): The Timberwolves had the worst record after winning 15 games in 1991-92. There were not one, but two franchise centers available in the draft. But the T’wolves wound up with the third pick and Christian Laettner. He was also a franchise player ... in college. Laettner had a decent professional career but never came close to matching the impact the top two picks, Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning, had on their teams.
Los Angeles Clippers (Seemingly every year): You’d think if you bought a lottery ticket every day, you’d win by default a few times. Not so with the Clippers. The Clippers have held the worst record four times since the lottery began:
In 1987, the Clippers’ reward for a 12-win season was the No. 4 pick (Reggie Williams). The Spurs won 28 games but walked away with the top pick (David Robinson).
In 1988, the Clippers won the lottery but the draft lacked a superstar and they ended up with a solid two-time All-Star in Danny Manning.
In 1995, they used the No. 2 overall pick on Antonio McDyess but traded him on draft night to the Denver Nuggets for Rodney Rogers and Brent Barry. Barry did win a slam-dunk contest, so it wasn’t a total wash.
In 2000, they picked Darius Miles with the No. 3 pick after a dismal 15-win season. The New Jersey Nets drew the No. 1 slot after a 31-win season and drafted Kenyon Martin.
The only other time the Clippers had the top pick was 1998. And that year, Michael Olowokandi was the big prize. So even when they win, they lose.
haha the poor clippers. i dont know of any team in any sport that has so symbolized mediocrity.
even though they land great Draft numbers ever year, they are always at the bottom of the league.
why the franchise hasnt moved from LA, ill never understand.
The Clippers.....geesh!
I just wish this team had a better owner/management/coach....they have talent......
Boo, they removed it!
Interesting
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