Let the Lottery Balls Roll...

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 7:30 AM EDT in NBA Draft

Can DeMar duplicate BC's luck from 2006?

With the NBA's draft lottery tonight, Toronto Raptors' fans get to find out where there team will be picking come June. Franchise talks a bit about the lottery, and just what attendee DeMar DeRozan may want to bring to help the Raps' chances of landing a top 3 pick...

So here we go.

Let the off-season begin.

Really, it's the draft lottery that truly kicks off the NBA off-season for those non-playoff teams, as it's at this point that GM's can start to plot their strategy's for next season.

Hit the jackpot and land a top 3 pick?

Maybe now you don't need to move that superstar. Or maybe you can now move that over-priced bum, left over from a previous regime.

Drop a few spots in the draft?

Maybe now it's time for plan B.

For the Toronto Raptors, it's an interesting situation. The team right now is looking at the 13th pick, and with that pick likely trying to decide if it's adding a piece for the future, or moving the pick to help augment the team for next season.

But should the club somehow jump into a top 3 spot?

Then that changes everything...including maybe Chris Bosh's decision to head back south.

Team	Combos	Pick No. 1	Pick No. 2	Pick No. 3	Any top 3 pick
New Jersey Nets	250	25%	21.49%	17.73%	64.22%
Minnesota Timberwolves	199	19.90%	18.79%	17.08%	55.77%
Sacramento Kings	156	15.60%	15.72%	15.55%	46.87%
Golden State Warriors	104	10.40%	11.20%	12.08%	33.68%
Washington Wizards	103	10.30%	11.10%	12.00%	33.40%
Philadelphia 76ers	53	5.30%	6.03%	6.97%	18.30%
Detroit Pistons	53	5.30%	6.03%	6.97%	25.19%
Los Angeles Clippers	23	2.30%	2.69%	3.22%	8.21%
Utah Jazz	22	2.20%	2.57%	3.08%	7.85%
Indiana Pacers	11	1.10%	1.30%	1.57%	3.97%
New Orleans Hornets	8	0.80%	0.95%	1.15%	2.90%
Memphis Grizzlies	7	0.70%	0.83%	1.01%	2.54%
Toronto Raptors	6	0.60%	0.71%	0.87%	2.18%
Houston Rockets	5	0.50%	0.59%	0.72%	1.81%

As you can see however, Toronto has about a 2% chance of jumping into a top three spot. Stranger things have happened, but my bet is they stick where they are at in the 13th spot.

DeMar DeRozan will be representing the Raptors at the draft this year so hopefully he brings the club some luck.

(Sidebar - DeRozan strikes me as a bit of an odd choice considering he hardly dominated as a rookie, and wasn't really expected to be the face of the franchise, but maybe BC is too embarrassed to show his face this year? Even so, wouldn't sending Andrea Bargnani make more sense? I digress...)

There's been no word as of yet regarding any special trinkets or good luck charms being brought by DeMar, but that doesn't mean he hasn't brought something with him. After all, as SB Nation's Mike Prada discusses in this post, there's been no shortage of draft lottery stunts over the past few decades.

If I'm DeMar, I'm bringing one of the following for good luck:

1) Isiah Thomas - Hey, he might have ruined the CBA and basketball in New York as we know it, but the man could draft. Maybe just having him alongside DeMar would help Toronto's mojo.

2) Sydney Crosby's Gold Medal-winning puck - The last time the nation's sports fans needed a clutch play, Sid the Kid came through. If he can't make it, can DeRozan borrow the game-winning puck, or maybe stick that scored the goal?

3) Michael Ruffin - Raptors' miracles have been few and far between in their history but Mo Pete's last second game-tying heave against the Washington Wizards back in 2007 has to be right up near the top of any list. Thanks to Michael Ruffin, who threw the ball in the air instead of holding it while time expired, the Dinos were able to send the match into an extra session where they ended up winning. It hardly altered the course of the franchise, but never-the-less, if fans are looking for a miracle tomorrow, having Ruffin beside DeMar tomorrow evening might not be such a bad idea.

Any other suggestions for DeMar? Will it even matter? Check the poll question below and give us your thoughts on the Raps' lottery chances tonight.

As well, we've got one more NBA.com contest (we'll announce the winner of our first contest today in our lunchbox links) for our readers. Simply leave your guess as to the final lottery results for all 14 teams in the comments below, and the closest to the actual result will win a prize package courtesy of NBA.com! All entries must be in by 3 PM EST today.

Good luck to all...and good luck to the Raptors tonight.

Poll

What do you think the lottery result for the Toronto Raptors will be when all is said and done?

Nothing - the team sticks at 13

156 votes

Jackpot - the team moves into the top 3

74 votes

Luck of Hoffa - the team actually drops a spot to 14

33 votes

263 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 57 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

It should be interesting.what time does it start at?

by sherwin316 on May 18, 2010 8:05 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

7:30 PM on the Score here in Canada

Sorry – should have put that in the article…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Odds

Odds of getting picks should increase when looking at pick 2 and 3.

For example, Toronto. Has a 6 in 1000 chance at pick #1, but has anywhere from a 6 in 750 chance at number two to a 6 in 995 chance depending on who lands #1. They have anywhere from a 6 in 551 to a 6 in 988 to landing #3 depending on who goes 1st and 2nd. Even 6 divdided by 995 is better/higher than 6 divided by 1000.

by JumpShootersRUS on May 18, 2010 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's Go Jazz!

Speaking of Isaiah — I’m hoping the Jazz win the lottery, just to piss off the Knicks fans even more… the legacy of Isaiah Thomas is never-ending!

In 2004 Isaiah Thomas traded Howard Eisley, Antonio McDyess, Charlie Ward, a 2004 draft pick, and a future protected draft pick to the Suns for Penny Hardaway and Stephon Marbury. A month later, the Jazz traded Keon Clark and Ben Handgloten to the Phoenix Suns for Tom Gugliotta and that Knicks first-round pick.

by B.C. on May 18, 2010 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

That would be unreal if the Jazz won…would make my night (outside of the Raps winning.)

In fact, my top 3 if Raps can’t get it would be:

1. Jazz (to screw with Knicks fans and further cement Isiah’s legacy.)
2. Clippers (would be hillarious for them to win again…Wall would get hurt this off-season for sure.)
3. Pacers (Bird is overdue for some good luck.)

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Teams are not allowed to win two years in a row, so the Clippers chance of getting the first pick is zero.

Tim W.
The Picket Fence

by Tim W. on May 18, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t they change this?

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Some of the media (Chris Mannix SI.com) are thinking the Clips win it again…hmmm…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m pretty sure they haven’t changed it. I think it’s a sound rule, quite frankly.

Tim W.
The Picket Fence

by Tim W. on May 18, 2010 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually its not a rule and it shouldn’t be a rule. What is the point of having a lottery if you are going to ban bad teams from winning because they won the year before.

by McGateway on May 18, 2010 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

if...

If we get top 3 ill shit myself LOL stranger things have happened.I have a feeling there will be a few changes in the draft order tonight.

by sherwin316 on May 18, 2010 9:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Same here

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Solid 13

There is no way the Raptors can crack the top 3, much less the top 10. Picking at 13th is not that bad because there should be some decent players still around. I would recommend to BC to not get a European bust and focus on drafting a college prospect.

Either way, I think that next season we will witness DeMar’s maturation as a pro-player. Bosh is in-line to make the same mistake that other former Raptor players have made when neglecting to see the development process through.

BC must try his best to keep the “Young Guns” together and should make it his priority to sign Amir Johnson to a deal.

by Slick_Rick on May 18, 2010 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

Yes sir

Johnson and Weems gotta be a part of our future. They were both excellent last year.

by dchoubak on May 18, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

utes

Raptors got the second pic:
http://tweetphoto.com/21480664

by utes on May 18, 2010 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

Welcome to Toronto Evan Turner!

Just tweeted it too…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

awesome

you do not want to know how many times I had to play the Draft Machine to get that ;)

by utes on May 18, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I got 1st overall once. That would be wild…

by HDave on May 18, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve done it dozens of time, and not once did I get the Raptors in the top 3.

Tim W.
The Picket Fence

by Tim W. on May 18, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldn’t imagine what would happen if we got evan turner.

by sherwin316 on May 18, 2010 11:18 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

It would be interesting because he’s a 3…so would Jay have the balls to bring Hedo off the bench? Turner has a nice post game though so the Raps could play small ball at times with him at the 4.

Wait…why are we even discussing this ha ha.

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Whats this nonsense I hear about Delonte West and LeBrons mother?… just when things couldnt get any crappier in the Bollocks Media….
At least all this LBJ lame duck stuff is taking alot of speculative attention off Bosh. I’m sure CB is sleeping better because of it…

Anyways, this is my Draft Order based on non-sense…

1. Golden State
2. Minnesota
3. Washington
4. NJ (boooo)
5. SAC
6. PHI
7. DET
8. LAC
9. UTH
10. IND
11. NOH
12. Memphis
13. Toronto
14. Houston

by Jenge on May 18, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I think GSW needs to add Wall or Turner to their Backcourt/frontcourt… I mean …it makes total sense…

by Jenge on May 18, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I wonder if Golden State wins, whether Don Nelson will tell everyone he thinks that Wall, Curry and Ellis can all play together.

Tim W.
The Picket Fence

by Tim W. on May 18, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

With Anthony Morrow at the 4 and Maggette at the 5…what a team!

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Then bring Mullin back as a player/coach… and get Spreewell back from his yacht repo lawsuits and Tim Hardaway back from his gay-bashing, and figure out where Mitch Richmond dissapeared to.

by B.C. on May 18, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Pure rumours…so random too ha ha. Delonte?

So G State takes the top prize in your scenario?

My gut says Sacto…I’m going:

Sacto
Jersey
Clippers
Minny
G-State
Washington
Philly

etc, etc.

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Wizards

For some reason I see the Wiz getting the top draft. Then they change their name and logo and front office and team. Kinda like the Cavs did when the drafted LBJ.

by utes on May 18, 2010 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

Pistons need Wall more!

Sacramento already has the Rookie of the Year — I think the Pistons need the help more.
After that, I’d say Indiana needs someone like Wall the most:

Minnesota already drafted 15 PGs.
Washington still has Arenas under contract for a few years — they need to rid themselves of him first.
NJ has Harris
PHI has JRue Holiday
LAC have Baron Davis
Utah have Deron
NO has Paul

by B.C. on May 18, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

What all those conference finals this past decade were not enough for you?

by McGateway on May 18, 2010 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

NICELY DONE

nice call utes

by B.C. on May 18, 2010 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

thanks

I seriously hope they rename the team or at least the logo / colours now :)

by utes on May 18, 2010 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

The Center Position

I may be wrong but I understand that Rasho and Pat O"Bryant are gone this coming year. So, should the Raps draft a center and are there good centers in this draft?

by RT... on May 18, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

A big man makes a ton of sense...

…especially if Bosh is gone obviously. And who knows if the team can keep Amir. Problem is, big men in this draft like Udoh and Orton are all very raw.

We’ll discuss this more tomorrow but Raps might go another direction entirely…

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Your right a lot of the bigs that I’ve been reading on draft sites are all pretty raw right now maybe the raps do go another direction and the delonte west thing is sooo messed up..I mean out of no where maybe that’s why west played like garbage through the playoffs lebrons mom been keepin him up late nights lol what a crazy rumor to be floating around.

by sherwin316 on May 18, 2010 1:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Chris Mannix

of SI says he could see us taking Hassan Whiteside.

by HDave on May 18, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

More on Center

I see you mention Amir, but is he considered big enough to be a true center and if the draft doesn’t offer a decent choice then what do they do about the center position next year?

by RT... on May 18, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

That’s a damn good question. I guess Bargs sticks there and they play Evans at the 4…that’s the worst-case scenario I’d say.

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Raptors win Lottery!!

The only way the Raptors are going to win the draft lottery is if Michael Ruffin does the draw ;-)

by DW19 on May 18, 2010 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

If the Raptors don’t win, I’d like to see the T-Wolves win so they can draft 3 top 5 PG (draft position) in 2 years. It would be like when they drafted a center 3 years in a row back in the 90’s.

Tim W.
The Picket Fence

by Tim W. on May 18, 2010 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

What a franchise…this is also the same one that got kicked out of the lottery for a few seasons because of their behind-the-scene dealings to get of all people, JOE SMIITH!

Adam Francis - Publisher - RaptorsHQ.com

by Adam Francis on May 18, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, it was more than worth it. Joe Smith was a number one pick, for god sakes! He helped deliver that team a Championship, didn’t he?

Tim W.
The Picket Fence

by Tim W. on May 18, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually the worst part is they got busted for something everyone else in the NBA has done (including the Raptors and Yogi).

by McGateway on May 18, 2010 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

number 13 pick surprisingly number 1 goes to washington. I think the number 2 pick going to philly is intresting for the raptors beacuse with evan turner is town will the 76ers give up on iggy they both play the 3? and iggy has a really bad contract this opens up an oppourtunity for the raptors to get iggy. I know he has a bad contract but he would be a good fit for toronto giving us the slasher we need at 3 and a good rebounder to go with andrea

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

i agree

i was hoping philly gets the 2nd pick after the 3 final teams were determined, and they did. heres to hoping we get iggy, or young, as they are both great players. i really hope we can make a play for their 2nd overall pick but if not then go after iggy/young. im guessing turner would be there pick so they are bound to move one of their wing players…hopefully….to us.

please Philly! please accept hedo

by tea time on May 18, 2010 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

i think philly could use hedo because hes a good “ball” handler and maybe there GM is stupid enought to take him lol. I dont think philly would trade there pick because that would mean they believe in iggy more then they do in evan turner. maybe we can do a s&t with philly where we give them bosh and we get the pick but that probably wont happen . common colangelo now is your chance to convicne bosh to stay and get a solid 2nd option to bosh

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Forget about Iggy. No way Philly will trade him to a division rival. The only player Toronto could get from Philly for Turk is Brand.

by McGateway on May 18, 2010 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

no way philly keeps young,iggy and evans at the 3 thats to many starting caliber players at one postion and i feel atleast one of them will demand a trade or philly will trdae one of them as i feel iggy will be the odd man out because i dotn think he will accept a bench role with philly

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

sorry i mean to say turner not evans

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

i dont thinks its possible to convince bosh to comeback

it seems like hes already made his decision. with all his stupid tweets and that article today saying hes already decided to move on, i am already convinced he’s leaving. come on, bosh staying with the raps, this is probably his last chance to be on a desired team. and im fine with it. i just really hope he decides to choose a team with decent-to-good players such as houston, chicago, or any other team not named miami cause they have nothing good to return. although i really hope its houston, they have great players.

unless we get an all-star to at least try and convince bosh, but that is unlikely, and dont think its a wise choice especially if we have to give up a lot to retain this “all-star”., knowing bosh may OR may not be convinced.

so im thinking BC go after more draft picks (memphis anyone?) or trade up the draft.

by tea time on May 18, 2010 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

i like the idea of trading up into the top 6 so we can try to get a player like al-farouq aminu. im a big fan of him and i think he has what it takes to succeed at the next level but i dont know if any team is willing to give up its draft pick and i dont thinkt he raptors have good trade assests to give up in order to get a top 6 draft pick

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

we could also trade for arenas maybe? he would be a major risk but the wizards can take back hedo. from what I have heard the wizards want arenas to GTFO now lol so what do you guys think about a hedo for g-bert trade.

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 11:03 PM EDT reply actions

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=23jot6l ?

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Philly needs a point guard..we have a point guard..we need a proven wing player they have one..jose for iggy..just a hunch

by sherwin316 on May 18, 2010 11:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

they have jrue holiday

by raptors_run_the_show on May 18, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s not ready to take over full time.and just like lou williams he’s more of a 2 guard.that’s where they miss andre Miller he’s a true point guard which is what that team needs.Jose is a true point guard and that’s what they need.

by sherwin316 on May 18, 2010 11:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions