What Winning The Draft Lottery Means
by Sebastian Pruiti
May 18, 2010 Draft Lottery
The graph above was done by Sleepy Freud of the Warriors blog Golden State of Mind, and it displays visually the Nets chances at the different picks (every lottery team is done over at the blog). As you can see, there are only four colors represented on the Nets’ chart, meaning that the worst the Nets can do is the 4th overall pick. The Nets really need the number one pick though. It isn’t because of John Wall though, sure he is a fantastic player, but in all honesty I’d be happy with any of the players rumored to be in the top 4. The reason the Nets need to win the draft lottery is that they need to keep this “momentum train” rolling.
Think about it. The Nets are coming off one of the worst seasons in NBA history. They had an owner who was more focused on making money than winning and it showed. Two years ago, the Nets just missed the playoffs and instead of retooling they decided to strip everything down. They kept a coach who was in “lame duck” status because they didn’t want to pay two coaches at once and when they eventually got rid of Lawrence Frank they filled the position internally with Kiki Vandeweghe. After all of this, the Nets finished with just 12 wins.
That all seems light years away, as things really has started going the Nets’ way. First and foremost, Mikhail Prokhorov has taken over and he means business. The Nets have a young core with some great players (Brook Lopez, Terrence Williams, and Devin Harris), and the Cleveland Cavs choked in the playoffs prompting rumors of LeBron leaving.
If the Nets win the draft lottery, the good mojo continues and this new feeling that Nets’ fan have (I think it is called hope) keeps going. If the Nets lose, it is just the other shoe dropping, something Nets’ fans are used to. Win 2 Eastern Conference championships, get smoked in the finals twice. Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, and Richard Jefferson made for the most exciting triple-threat in the NBA, couldn’t really do much in the playoffs. I (and most likely other Nets’ fans) have been conditioned to wait for that other shoe to drop during Bruce Ratner’s reign as Nets’ owner.. I think winning the lottery is what will help Nets’ fans finally close the book on the Bruce Ratner era for good and confidently start the Mikhail Prokhorov off on the right foot, optimistically.
May 18th, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Isn’t it some BS that they have a better chance at getting the 4th pick rather than the 3rd.
May 18th, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Well at least the kincks don’t have a shot
May 18th, 2010 at 6:10 PM
yea…but we have a better chance of getting the 1st, 2nd or 3rd than we have the chance of getting the 4th…;)
May 18th, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Still have a 40% chance or something close of not getting in the top 3. We should be top 3 protected at least.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:34 PM
I think it would be hilarious if the New York Knicks won the lottery and the Nets, second. The Utah Jazz who have the Knicks’ pick thanks to Isiah Thomas (Stephon Marbury) won’t need John Wall because of Deron Williams and maybe they pick a big like Cousins since Boozer is half-way out the door.
Or, at the worst, they trade the pick to the Nets swapping positions and get a future pick. Is it just me or would that make you laugh your testicles off? AND THEN the Nets sign LeBron… Wow! Hahaha!
Yeah, I hate James Dolan.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:45 PM
that would be the funniest outcome. all i want is the # 2 pick to get EVAN TURNER. hopefully the T wolves dont get the #1 and decide to take him over WALL cuz of all there PGs.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:30 PM
#3 pick wow!!!!!!
May 18th, 2010 at 8:42 PM
I’m a lot more upset than I thought I would when we got #3 we were so close
May 18th, 2010 at 8:44 PM
Balls to this
May 18th, 2010 at 8:47 PM
“Balls to this”
Was that an intentional pun?
May 18th, 2010 at 8:49 PM
Eh, I’m not sad. Remember that there is a possibility that philly takes a big. Also the last time that thorn picked 3rd…
May 18th, 2010 at 8:51 PM
he picked MJ. nice thought Randy. hopefully we do get lucky and have the 76ers pick a big and we end up wit EVAN TURNER. i really dont like cousins, and im not sure how to judge FAVORS
May 18th, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Yeah, I don’t know that Philly would take Turner when Iggy is there best player and they start Dalembert at C. I’d say they most likely take Cousins, barring a disastrous workout or interview.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:52 PM
but im pretty sad
May 18th, 2010 at 8:52 PM
God, I’ve started spelling “their” as “there.” The internet is getting to me.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Devin Harris fans can rejoice, though
May 18th, 2010 at 8:54 PM
but this might get them more inclined to trade Iggy. if they are still looking shed cap. and then pick TURNER. hopefully not tho
May 18th, 2010 at 8:55 PM
yeah Devins future is a bright spot for me at least. i still like DH
May 18th, 2010 at 8:55 PM
(REJOICING!!!)
May 18th, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Iggy makes a lot and will be hard to trade. I say, then, trade Iggy to us. We draft Favors and get a FA PF and we’re in good shape.
Up front: Brook/FA PF/Favors
Swings: Iggy/Lee/TWill
Point: Harris/maybe TWill/Keyon, please?
That’s a balanced team, and I don’t mind having a couple of veterans on board.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:01 PM
Yeah, I’m happy for you, Dennis.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:07 PM
this would be a great lineup.
DH
Lee
Iggy
Bosh (i wish)
Brook
but what would we trade to the 76ersV
May 18th, 2010 at 9:08 PM
Randy: “Also the last time that thorn picked 3rd”
Say, wasn’t Sam Bowie from Kentucky, too?
May 18th, 2010 at 9:09 PM
@cat I’ll be happier if the Nets can get Turner.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:11 PM
Manuel–
“but what would we trade to the 76ers”
Not much, to take on Iggy’s contract. But I think it’s much more likely that they’ll try to move Brand, anyway, if cap space is their goal.
Also, remember that Ed Stefanski is not good at this.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:13 PM
Dennis– well, yeah. But we’re also not going to get 2 free agents that are good. I’d much rather have Iggy than Rudy Gay.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:15 PM
Forgot about mr. Gay. Looks like it isn’t over!
May 18th, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Don’t fall into Kentucky curse.
May 18th, 2010 at 9:28 PM
@CAT great point
May 18th, 2010 at 9:37 PM
@tosters
Yes it was if you checked nets daily i made it clearer
May 18th, 2010 at 10:10 PM
It is possible that Washington takes Turner, cause they already have Arenas. Then the 76ers who are in dire need of a PG takes Wall. To be honest, I think the lottery is all messed up and needs to be changed