2008 NBA Draft Lottery is Tonight… So?
The NBA will complete the 2008 draft lottery this evening at the their “Entertainment” headquarters in NJ. Tonight’s event will not tell us who is going where, but rather which team will be picking first, second and third (etc.).
In what has almost become a laughable event, where the NBA’s worst teams are rewarded (for tanking! - oops :P) and the teams that continue fighting throughout the season are not; tonight’s event is only moderately interesting because there is a debate about who will be picked with the #1 draft pick - Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose.
With the highest probability of grabbing the #1 pick, the Miami Heat are salivating over the opportunity to improve upon last year’s disastrous season - can you call it that (for them)? Miami’s troubles have been discussed in great detail throughout the season already - if you missed them, here’s a quick recap.
The Miami Heat, shortly after trading Shaq to the Suns, more closely resembled a JV team than a professional basketball team in the NBA. Sure, they had a few injuries, but half of them were made up (ie: Marion) and were used to keep their star players healthy down the stretch like most teams do… except that, Miami isn’t in the playoffs where the rested players energy is usually needed. Nope, the Heat have already “gone fishing”, as Kenny, EJ & Charles like to say. To top that off, Heat coach Pat Riley also took important time off from his coaching duties, to visit regional NCAA tournament games to scout for talent. Doesn’t he have assistant coaches for that crap?
What I ask of everyone reading this article, is to pray that Riley & Co. are not rewarded for their poor sportsmanship. Pray that they get the #4 pick and lose out on the top players in the draft. Other teams played hard throughout the season, despite the fact that they had no chance; those teams deserves the #1 thru #3 picks - not Miami.
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Updated 11:30 (PST):
The Chicago Bulls have won the 1st pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. With a 1.7% chance of scoring the pick, Chicago gets it over the Miami Heat (#2 pick) and Miinnesota Timberwolves (#3 pick).
Despite my calls for prayers on Miami not winning the top pick, a #2 pick will suffice for them, since the choice of Beasley and Rose is really a toss-up at this point.
It will be interesting to see if any teams trade their picks - the Top 3 are doubtful, since they all need serious help. Look for the Bulls to shop away other players after taking the pick - if they wait, look for them to make a huge splash in 2009 free agency.