2019 NBA Draft
2019 NBA Draft Lottery - BEFORE
These were the odds for the contenders to win the 1st pick of the 2019 NBA draft lottery. 3 teams ranked equally with 14% chance to land the Number 1 pick.
The New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns each had a 14% chance of landing the number 1 pick under a new system that gives equal weight of winning the lottery to the teams with the three worst records in the league.
Under such circumstances, hardly anyone gave those outside these 3 teams... Correction... gave any team other than the New York Knicks the possibility of landing the top pick. If you knew nothing about how the draft lottery works, you could be forgiven thinking the Knicks is a shoo-in to get the Number 1. Most articles focused on 'What a good fit Zion Williamson will be at the Knicks' yada yada... No hoots given to the other teams.
There were whispers alluding that it would 'definitely' go to the New York Knicks, as this invoked memories of the 1985 Patrick Ewing 'fix'.
And in case you are outside the NBA universe, and wondering Who the hk is Zion Williamson?, you could read more here.
2019 NBA Draft Lottery - AFTER
So when all was said and done, Surprise Surprise!
1: New Orleans Pelicans
2: Memphis Grizzlies
3: New York Knicks
4: Los Angeles Lakers
5: Cleveland Cavaliers
6: Phoenix Suns
7: Chicago Bulls
8: Atlanta Hawks
9: Washington Wizards
10: Atlanta Hawks (from Dallas Mavericks)
The Pelicans got IT
'Quashing rumors' that the lottery is fixed. They were a long shot, holding just... 6% chance of winning the lottery, the 7th best odds entering the night.
And the Knicks? They fell to 3rd in the pecking order. Good gracious, what travesty!
Securing the top pick would meant having the flexibility and bargaining power to trade for Anthony Davis, a 6-time All-Star and generational talent. Now that this option is light years from fruition. What comes next for the the New York Knicks?
Not all Doom & Gloom in the Big Apple
IF the rumor mill is true, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will be joining the Knicks. And another IF, if they have enough assets to entice the New Orleans Pelicans to trade Anthony Davis, the NBA could witness the new Big Three!
Interesting off season ahead.
In my humble opinion, Zion Williamson, listed as 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and 285 pounds (129 kg), is far too muscular for the small forward position. See Kawhi Leonard. Carrying an extra 20kg of muscle and trying to move as much as Leonard will definitely place tremendous strain to his lower body, and increasing the chances of severe injuries in the long term.
As for playing power forward, Williamson is probably not tall enough, though his wingspan (2.08m) and athleticism could make up for it.
What about his shooting? We witness the NBA transitioning in the past few years, placing more emphasis on shooting, to the point where Bigs who cannot shoot, are granted fewer opportunities. Let's hope Zion Williamson realizes this, and invests effort to improve his shooting in time to come.
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