And the winner is...Cleveland

Outside wrote:I don't go out of my way to watch the lottery, but I happened to see it this time.

Minnesota (the team with the worst record) is probably fine with the second pick, considering that they drafted two point guards (Rubio and Flynn) in the first round two years ago and wouldn't want Kyrie Irving. Though if they had gotten the first pick, they might've picked up something valuable by trading it away. They still might trade the second pick.

It does seem like a nice break for Cleveland to get two of the top four picks. The people of Cleveland could certainly use a ray of sunshine. I don't think Dan Gilbert acquitted himself particularly well in the whole LeBron fiasco, but seeing his son Nick representing the team humanized the father. Here's a blurb from a Cleveland sports website (http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/2011/05/dan-gilberts-son-to-represent-cavs-at-upcoming-lottery/).

Nick Gilbert’s representation will be two-fold as he will be there in support of his father’s team, but will also be serving as the Ambassador for Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF). Born with Neurofibromatosis (NF) – a disease suffered by 1 in every 3,000 children which allows tumors to merely grow anywhere at any time – Nick has endured brain surgery, chemothereapy, and has lost vision in one of his eyes. As luck would have it, May 17th is also World NF Awareness Day.


Outside

MDCelticsFan wrote:Yes it was good fortune for the CAVS to get 2 of the top 4 lottery picks. However both combined will not replace what James walked away from their table with last Summer. This further dehumanizes Lebron for his actions. Imagine how that broke young Nick Gilbert's heart when he (James) deceided to "take his talents to South Beach." Greasy slime ball Riley used shifty smarmy Wade to orchestrate the whole sordid mess. regardless of TV playoff ratings, the NBA is on a downward spiral!

MD

tjmakz wrote:Outside,

I think this will be the straw that breaks the camels back.
I would think that Kahn will be fired over this.
His reign as GM/President has been horrendous.
Now add in that he is questioning the integrity of the sport that employs him...
He should be fired today.

MDCelticsFan wrote:We know the lottery can be rigged. Dave Debusschere didn't look too surprised in 1985 when he got the ticket to Patrick Ewing. The WNBA even rigged its' lottery three years ago so Candace Parker could be selected by the LA Sparks. This smacks of Stern's stripped shirt reign.

■Kent Youngblood, Minneapolis Star Tribune: When Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery was about to hit the home stretch, the reps from the three teams still alive — Minnesota, Utah and Cleveland — were asked to step onto the stage of the NBA’s studio in Secaucus, N.J. The Wolves president of basketball operations knew then he had no chance. David Kahn was standing there with Utah General Manager Kevin O’Connor and 14-year-old Nick Gilbert — the son of Cleveland Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and a young man battling a rare nerve disorder. “I did tell [O'Connor] … as soon as the 14-year-old kid joined us, we were toast,” Kahn said. “There was no way the 14-year-old was about to be denied in a league that has a habit of compelling story lines.” He was joking, folks. Kahn was not suggesting that Cleveland’s getting the top pick right after losing LeBron James — and with a first-round choice acquired in a trade with the Clippers! — was anything other than lottery luck. Cleveland was the big winner, ending up with the first and fourth picks. Utah also jumped up into the lottery, finishing third. By finishing second, the Wolves might have been toast, but they didn’t get burned, either. It’s the team’s highest finish in 14 trips to this lottery. Kahn has the second pick in what is generally considered a two-player draft, with Duke guard Kyrie Irving and Arizona forward Derrick Williams considered the top two.

MDCelticsFan wrote:We know the lottery can be rigged. Dave Debusschere didn't look too surprised in 1985 when he got the ticket to Patrick Ewing. The WNBA even rigged its' lottery three years ago so Candace Parker could be selected by the LA Sparks. This smacks of Stern's stripped shirt reign.

MD

MDCelticsFan wrote:The envelope Debusscherre was to pick when it was his turn had a corner folded on it to tip him as to what envelope the number one selection was going to be in.

MD