Michael Jordan not 1st - Steve Lipofsky photo     Kevin Garnett not 1st - NBA photo     Kevin Durant not 1st - NBA photo Kobe Bryant not 1st - NBA photo

NBA BEAT - WIZARDS WIN DRAFT LOTTERY OVER FAVORED NEW JERSEY NETS

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Michael Jordan who many consider the best ever NBA player was chosen 3rd in 1984. Kobe Bryant was chosen out of high school 13th in 1996.

1st CHOICE NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST CHOICE

Thursday May 20, 2010

The Washington Wizards who had a 10.3 percent chance of obtaining the first selection in the NBA Draft Lottery got lucky and the ping pong ball dropped their way was they won the number one NBA draft selection. The selection is made with ping pong balls dropping from a machine like at a carnival. All of the 14 teams that failed to make the playoffs are in the lottery with the remaining teams that made the playoffs being assigned a position in the draft order according to their finish with the worst record having the 15th pick and the best record having the last. Changes are made in the order due to previous trades in previous seasons. The NBA draft is June 24 in New York, NY USA and the order could change if trades are made before or during the draft event.

Of the 14 lottery participants the team with the most wins has fewer ping pong balls in the machine. The teams with the least have the most chances with more ping pong balls. That non-distinguished title belonged to the New Jersey Nets who finished with a league worst 12-70 record but weren't as lucky as Washington who finished 26-56. As luck would have it the Nets are to have the third pick.

Having the first choice doesn't mean that the team will have the best choice it just the best CHANCE at having the best choice. Michael Jordan who many consider the best ever NBA player was chosen 3rd in 1984. Kobe Bryant was chosen out of high school as the 13th pick in 1996.

The Boston Celtics big three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were all chosen in later rounds. Garnett was the 5th choice in 1995, Allen also 5th in 1996 and Pierce was the 10th pick in 1998. All are considered future hall of Fame players.

Joining them on the Celtics 2008 title winning team and current Eastern Conference Finals competitors is their emerging star guard Rajon Rondo who was the 20th pick in the 2006 draft.

Being number one overall pick doesn't translate into NBA success as the LA Clippers overall number one choice last season Blake Griffin was injured during the preseason and has yet to play a regular season NBA game.

The Portland Trailblazers Greg Oden was the overall number one choice in 2007 but has had a number of injuries resulting in limited playing time and has yet to be a major impact in the league. That season the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant was the 2nd choice and has had a spectacular NBA career thus far. This was his best season as he earned the honor of being selected to the NBA's All-Star 1st team.

The last time the Wizards had the No. 1 pick was in 2001, when Hall of Famer and former Washington executive Michael Jordan selected Kwame Brown, considered one of the biggest busts ever in the league after being chosen No. 1. Brown is currently with the Detroit Pistons and has had a lackluster career. The 6'11 243 pound (2.11/110.2 kilo) center has a career average of 7 points 5.6 rebounds per game.

LOTTERY PICKS

1. Washington

2. Philadelphia

3. New Jersey

4. Minnesota

5. Sacramento

6. Golden State

7. Detroit

8. LA Clippers

9. New York (To Utah via Phoenix)

10. Indiana

11. New Orleans

12. Memphis

13. Toronto

14. Houston

Following is the order for the remainder of the 2010 NBA Draft:

15. Chicago (To Milwaukee)

16. Charlotte (To Minnesota via Denver)

17. Milwaukee (To Chicago)

18. Miami

19. Boston

20. San Antonio

21. Oklahoma City

22. Portland

23. Utah (To Minnesota via Philadelphia)

24. Atlanta

25. Denver (To Memphis)

26. Phoenix (To Oklahoma City)

27. Dallas (To New Jersey)

28. LA Lakers (To Memphis)

29. Orlando

30. Cleveland (To Washington)

2010 SECOND ROUND DRAFT CHOICE ORDER

31. New Jersey

32. Minnesota (To Oklahoma City)

33. Sacramento

34. Golden State

35. Washington

36. Detroit

37. Philadelphia (To Milwaukee)

38. New York

39. LA Clippers (To New York via Denver)

40. Indiana

41. New Orleans (To Miami)

42. Toronto (To Miami)

43. Memphis (To LA Lakers)

44. Chicago (To Portland)

45. Houston (To Minnesota)

46. Charlotte (To Phoenix)

47. Milwaukee

48. Miami

49. San Antonio

50. Oklahoma City (To Dallas)

51. Portland (To Oklahoma City via Dallas and Minnesota)

52. Boston

53. Atlanta

54. Denver (To LA Clippers)

55. Utah

56. Phoenix (To Minnesota)

57. Dallas

58. LA Lakers

59. Orlando

60. Cleveland (To Phoenix)