The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, aka the Zion Williamson sweepstakes, was the first since the NBA Board of Governors switched up the odds to discourage teams from tanking. Previously, the team with the worst record received a 25 percent chance at the top pick. The second-worst team received a 19.9 percent chance. The third-worst squad had a 15.5 percent chance at the top spot.
After watching subpar teams flop and flail their way to the finish in hopes of landing the top spot, the NBA unstacked the deck a bit for the bottom three. Lowering the odds to 14 percent for the bottom three meant the remaining non-playoff teams saw an Adidas-like probability boost.
Tuesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans (armed with a 6 percent chance) used that boost to bound over seven teams with higher odds to land the rights to the number one draft pick. While all eyes were on the Big Apple, Lady Luck apparently prefers po’ boys and beignets.
The Pelicans landing the first overall pick is plot twist worthy of a George R. R. Martin manuscript. The New Orleans franchise was thrust into the spotlight when Anthony Davis requested a trade just a few weeks before the All-Star Break.
Complete chaos followed. Rumored trade talks with the Lakers and Celtics were covered by sports media like Donald Trump tweets. Once the trade deadline passed, the drama played out between the NBA and the Pelicans as the team sought to bench the star for the remainder of the season. Knowing that ticket buyers and TV networks would be less than pleased, commissioner Adam Silver channeled his inner Randy Jackson and essentially told the Pels, “That’s gonna be a no from me, dawg!”
Coach Alvin Gentry was clearly drained by all the drama. Gentry was forced by the front office to limit his best player’s minutes. He also had to find a way to navigate the toxicity that comes with a franchise player attempting to break up with his team.
“It’s not me, it’s you.”
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Gentry became a “sympathetic figure” in the league due to the Davis situation. When New Orleans landed the top pick, Gentry stood and raised his hands in celebration. He then yelled out words of joy and gratification that are a tad too strong for this family-friendly publication. It was as if the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders by a Duke-educated, 6-foot-7, 285-pound behemoth.
There’s no doubt that the Pelicans will hold onto the pick and take Williamson. There has been some speculation that Davis might reconsider his trade request after learning that Williamson is headed to the French Quarter.
It is highly unlikely that will happen. Davis demanded a trade because he wants to contend for championships right away. Even with Davis and Williamson forming a fear-inducing frontcourt, the Pelicans would not be title contenders, especially in the West.
Instead, New Orleans will move Davis to the highest bigger and bring in a cache of young, talented players (and possibly a few draft picks). St. Louis native Jayson Tatum has been rumored as an asset Boston would use to land Davis. Tatum and Williamson would be a strong foundation for post A.D. success.
After a tumultuous year, Gentry and the New Orleans fans deserve the joy that comes with landing the move coveted college player in recent memory. They might have to waive goodbye to ‘The Brow’ but will get to say hello to the future.
NCAA coming to its senses?
Despite raking in billions off college athletics, the NCAA has fought tooth and nail to keep college athletes from profiting directly from their own athletic abilities or images. After a litany of antitrust lawsuits, it seems the organization is finally open to changing the rules on athlete compensation.
Wednesday, the NCAA announced it would form a committee “to examine issues highlighted in recently proposed federal and state legislation related to student-athlete name, image and likeness.”
In short, star players are about to get paid.
Currently, NCAA athletes are severely restricted on ways they can be compensated. Colleges and universities earn tons of money off tickets and television rights. They sell jerseys with players’ numbers emblazoned on the back. Advertisers pay the NCAA for the right to use highlights to hawk products and services.
Yes, it is true that players get a “free” education. However, they should also be free to use their names or images to make a buck just like anybody else.
As with anything related to the NCAA, changes will happen slowly. It will likely take years for any recommended changes to take effect. After all, former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon sued the NCAA over these issues way back in 2009. Ten years later, the organization is just finally cracking the door in the slightest way.
The NCAA hasn’t suddenly become more progressive in its views of athletes’ rights. It knows the legal winds have changed. If it doesn’t end its draconian ways voluntarily, the courts will do it for them.
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