I have an Idea

[[RCG]]

I'm thinking the Magic, Suns or SuperSonics win this year.

Not gonna lie, if the Magic will get the #1 pick I'd be super freaking furious. I'd still don't think the draft is rigged but how lucky could one franchise be in terms of lottery luck if that were to happen.

What makes you think the Suns would win it? Just because they lost Nash?

Nash, yeah. Plus they could use an infusion of young talent more of just a gut feeling though. They don't really have a centerpiece on that team.

[Mattya]

It has to be between the Sonics and Magic. Way to much coincidence in the draft for it not to be rigged.

[Klomp]

Not gonna lie, if the Magic will get the #1 pick I'd be super freaking furious. I'd still don't think the draft is rigged but how lucky could one franchise be in terms of lottery luck if that were to happen.

On the bright side, there's not a O'Neal/Howard this year if they do win it.

[Klomp]

Nash, yeah. Plus they could use an infusion of young talent more of just a gut feeling though. They don't really have a centerpiece on that team.

Dejavu?

Suns also own LAL's unprotected first, which is currently tied for the 10th pick. Somewhat like two years ago, when the Cavs owned the Clippers unprotected 1st, which was the 8th best odds, but ended up being the winner.

[[RCG]]

Nash, yeah. Plus they could use an infusion of young talent more of just a gut feeling though. They don't really have a centerpiece on that team.

Dejavu?

Suns also own LAL's unprotected first, which is currently tied for the 10th pick. Somewhat like two years ago, when the Cavs owned the Clippers unprotected 1st, which was the 8th best odds, but ended up being the winner.

Ruh roh.

[shrink]

The questions that I think Stern and the owners would ask are:

1. If the top draft pick likely to be a Grade A superstar?
2. Does the top draft pick have local connections with any struggling franchise?
3. Did a team lose a superstar so that the fans have reason to abandon the team?
4. Is there a struggling franchise that an owner wants to sell?

If the Maloofs hadn't sold their team, I'd have guessed it would be SAC. SEA probably doesn't need a 1st to get fans to see the team though, but it's a possibility.

Suns are a great guess. I'll go with that.

[Dewey]

The lottery is rigged - zero doubt. Until they choose W-L record as the determining factor, it will always lower the credibility of the NBA.

[Worm Guts]

It's not rigged, it would just be too big of a risk and there would need to be too many people involved. It would leak and there would be huge repercussions. I don't think there's a lot to be gained by doing it, and I don't think owners would take kindly to franchise changing players being handed out on the whims of David Stern.

[C.lupus]

The lottery is overly complicated but it is not rigged.

[[RCG]]

Until we win, it's rigged

[Dewey]

Until we win, it's rigged

AMEN

[Devilzsidewalk]

definitely rigged, probably via an elaborate Rube Goldberg contraption

[Basti]

The lottery is rigged - zero doubt. Until they choose W-L record as the determining factor, it will always lower the credibility of the NBA.

How about you address some of the points I made about this subject earlier in this thread than just simply making a claim that is based on hearsay (to me) and some luck.

[Jukeness]

I say the coincidences are way too much for me to not think it's rigged.

Washington gets #1 pick, had like a 3% chance of getting it.

Cleaveland gets #1 pick, because they lost Lebron.

Then NO gets it because they lost Paul.

I have predicted the last 3, it's too rediculous for me. I would say either the Sonics or Orlando this year, but that seems too obvious if it is rigged.

[[RCG]]

New Orleans is also because Stern vetoed their original trade.