By Nunnie Robinson, The Westside Gazette Sports Editor
As the NBA playoffs are in full swing, the league’s marketing genius is in full effect as well. Just ahead of a monumental playoff game in MSG between the defending champion Boston Celtics and the hometown favorite New York Knicks with the Knicks holding a 2-1 lead, the LEAGUE held its draft lottery cloaked in myriad possibilities as to which team would receive the top draft pick in 2025. The Philadelphia 76ers were positioned to win the number one slot or lose that opportunity to Oklahoma City based on lottery results. Fortunately, they landed in the top four along with the Charlotte Hornets, the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks. Nico Harrison must be a blessed man as with only a 1.8% chance, the Dallas Mavericks won the top draft pick, significant if you consider the criticism, racial animus and vitriol he endured as a result of the Luka Doncic trade to the Lakers. It is a foregone conclusion that the Mavericks will select Duke’s freshman All-American Cooper Flagg with that pick. In many circles order will have been restored if you get my drift. Don’t get me wrong. Cooper Flagg is a great player, but he is going to be on a really good team where he won’t have to be the savior, but rather another piece of the puzzle, a welcome addition as a player of a particular ethnicity.
Just an added comment about the NBA Lottery. The Washington Wizards, the absolute worst team in the league, should have automatically received the number 1 pick but ended up with the sixth pick. The NBA introduced the Draft Lottery in 1985 to reduce tanking/ deliberately losing games. Prior to that change, a coin flip between the two worst teams decided the order. I’d like to see the NBA return to the NFL model where the team with the worst record automatically receives the first pick. Competitive balance around the league is best for all stakeholders, especially the paying public. Remember also that the lottery as presently established only impacts the top 14 picks. Severely punish teams via draft picks and fines if they violate ethical standards such as intentionally losing games to improve their draft position. Just my humble opinion. What say you…
