By theory, the NBA Draft Lottery (Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET) is left to randomness. But what if, as the conspiracy-minded have insisted for more than two decades ... what if David Stern dictated the results? With the power of Merlin, who would the commissioner designate the winners of the lottery prize?
Close your eyes and imagine such a world ...
1. New York Knicks. Like I need to explain this.
2. New Jersey Nets. Beyond the obvious potential large-market ramifications, the Nets might need help getting a push over to Brooklyn. (Depending on your optimism for Atlantic Yards.) Once there, a real rivalry between the Knicks and Nets needs to start up with some heat, with both teams pushing for the playoffs or better every year. If the Nets are the Nets in NYC ... well, they become the Clippers North. (Which is what they have been for much of the last decade, excusing a Jason Kidd diversion.)
3. Phoenix Suns. The league would love to see the Suns launched back into contention for the twilight of Steve Nash's career. I'm not sure any No. 3 picks in this draft pull it off, but it would obviously help more than the No. 14 pick would. No offense to Earl Clark. Also, this has quite a bit to do with the lack of a third team in the NYC metropolitan area, and the distastefulness with which the league most certainly views the Clippers franchise.
Special mention to the Bucks, Pacers, Kings, Grizzlies and Bobcats, all of which need help with attendance (or in some cases arena) issues.
