Even with another 2 rounds of the playoffs to go, the NBA world momentarily turned its gaze to Secaucus, New Jersey for the 2011 draft lottery overnight.
In an improbable turn of events, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2.8% chance pick was the first drawn. The pick, acquired from the LA Clippers mid season, was the first drawn and so they will select first come draft night.
The Clippers sent the number 8 chanced selection to Cleveland at the trade deadline in a deal that saw the Cavs swap Mo Williams for Baron Davis.
The Cavs were represented at the lottery by 14 year old Nick Gilbert, son of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert. Nick was there to spread awareness for Neurofibromatosis (NF), a disease he has had since birth. NF is a nerve disorder that causes tumours to grow without warning throughout the body.
The win for the Cavs is great story for the NBA and the town of Cleveland, so much so in fact that it prompted Timberwolves GM David Kahn to say this
“This league has a habit, and I am just going to say habit, of producing some pretty incredible story lines”.
The comment is highly controversial and seems to imply the lottery may have been rigged in favour of the Cavaliers.
Such a careless comment is likely to gain big scrutiny in the press and in the league offices, with many expecting a large fine to be handed out.
The Cavs, and indeed all NBA teams, have just over a month to prepare for the draft, which will be held on the June 23 in Newark, NJ.
The Cavs weren’t the only ones to move up though, the Jazz also moved up 3 spots to take the 3rd overall pick. The Jazz’s pick was also a mid season acquisition, coming in the trade of Deron Williams to New Jersey in February.
The T’Wolves will have the second pick, with the 3rd 4th and 5th going to Utah, Cleveland and Toronto respectively.
Former Duke freshman Kyrie Irving is expected to go number 1 with Arizona forward Derrick Williams and one of SDSU forward Kawhi Leornard or the Turkish center Enes Kanter expected to round out the top 3.
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