Memories of Yester-year
As I assume pretty much everyone knows, this year's NBA draft lottery - that swinging party for losers, and for winners who know how to swindle losers out of the only good thing that comes from losing - will be held roughly 24 hours from now. Since we have no balls in the bucket, frozen or otherwise, it's not much of an event for Bulls fans. But what could be more fun than a quick glance back to last year when we were blessed with the pick that would turn into Derrick Rose? It's the gift that keeps on giving.
Matt had this unusually positive post the morning of The Day:
Here are the Bulls chances Tuesday night:
No. 1: 1.70%
No. 2: 2.00%
No. 3: 2.40%
No. 9: 81.34%
No. 10: 12.18%
No. 11: 0.38%
No. 12: 0.0024%Get a top two pick, draft Rose or Beasley (in, my opinion, that order), and all of Pax's inactivity and (public) idiocy doesn't matter. (Getting the 3rd would be a good night's work as well, but the next step would be a bit more muddled) The history of many GMs work out this way: the lottery can sure make them seem smart.
This is followed by a comments thread that starts off with a bunch of bored chit chat and quickly morphs into a "Holy hell! They just called out the 9th pick AND IT WASN'T US!" cocophony of animated elation and disbelief. And, of course, this was shortly thereafter followed by the breathtaking moment of watching the Timberwolves be eliminated from the Top 2 picks -- ensuring the Bulls would get one of the two prized draftees -- and then, finally, the sheer ecstacy of seeing "Stan" Schanwald as the last man standing.
After a long, long, long season of great misery, the rejoicing could not have been sweeter. I imagine I wasn't the only one who rewatched the lottery more than a few times - I had to watch D'Antoni's reaction to the Knicks not moving up while knowing the Bulls had at least a dozen times, and I lost count of how many times I watched the 9th pick and picks 3 through 1 announced. I even made people who have no interest in basketball watch. Just reading through the comments today makes me smile - hopefully they'll show some great coverage from last year as part of the build-up.
But back to this year. It feels a bit odd to not be in the lottery, even if a few of those years were courtesy of the New York Knicks. I'm still excited to watch, find out who gets the coveted top pick, and really jump into the draft. There's a nice preview over at Ridiculous Upside, as well as a ton of draft stuff at Draft Express. I'd like OKC to win the top pick - the Thunder actually have a reasonable shot, they're the closest thing to a local team where I live, and the conspiracy theories would be awesome if yet another team gets to keep the hometown kid. Washington would kind of tick me off since they're a pretty decent team barring injuries and an oddly down season (which is probably how other teams felt last year about the Bulls). I still root against New York on principle - and obviously it would be nice if the top pick or two head west instead of to an Eastern Conference foe. Then again, I hate to banish the poor top kids to some of those bad Western Conference teams - at least everyone in the East outside of Washington was playing with a shot at the playoffs until late in the season.
So I'll be watching, and I'll be interested in the outcome - but mostly I'll be reliving the 2008 lottery draft.
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81 comments
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Comments
Nice post
I enjoyed it a lot. It is fun to rethink about the ridiculousness of us landing Rose.
by Jamaicanpi on May 18, 2009 6:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I remember being at work running and screaming like it was Christmas and I was 8.
by SoulEater7 on May 18, 2009 6:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
same here...
I remember Michael dribbling at the top of the key. Everybody knew to just get the hell out of his way. - Steve Kerr
by Yibs on May 18, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW I really hope...
I really hope Phoenix wins it this year. I think it would be hilarious if a .561 team wins the lottery. I know it’s mean, but can you imagine the B@#$%ing that would happen. Ahh, drama. :)
by Jamaicanpi on May 18, 2009 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If they get the first pick
It makes me wonder if they would still wanna trade Amare? They might envision Amare and Blake the future of the NBA
by Option27 on May 18, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or redundant
I just care about reading the complaints of OKC, Sacramento, and Washington. How it would affect the team, meh :)
by Jamaicanpi on May 18, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They both play the same position
so if they win I’d think they would be more willing to trade one of them, either Amare or Griffin. Same with Toronto and Bosh. Now I’m hoping wither Phoenix or Toronto wins the lottery.
by Rose MVP on May 18, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they would want a defensive minded C in return if pairing them with either
Would you wanna trade Noah? Not me
by Option27 on May 18, 2009 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I would trade Noah.
Not sure about Amare because of his knees, but for Bosh definitely. They are already all stars. Noah might get close to all-star level if he works his butt off this offseason, or he might not.
by Rose MVP on May 18, 2009 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Noah is the PERFECT complement to those kinda players
I wouldn’t
by Option27 on May 18, 2009 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So basically, you'd rather have Noah than Amare or Bosh.
Sorry, that’s over-valuing him. He’s good, which is why the other team would want him. I understand holding out to the last breath to get either of those w/o trading Noah, but you should still make the trade if there’s no other way.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett
by tyger1147 on May 18, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too bad
Noah made himself look so good and Tyrus made himself look so bad there at the end. It made it really hard to pull the old switcheroo on someone.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
by cranscape on May 18, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying I would rather have Noah but under the circumstance
The way it has set up for thew Bulls, they are in position to get one of them in 2010 anyways so unless you get them for Tyrus and fillers, I wouldn’t do it.
But yeah, if you asked me straight up who I would rather have . . Amare or Chris for sure
by Option27 on May 18, 2009 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well.... now that you mention 2010, I might be back on your original side.
If it’s just Noah and contract filler, maybe I do it. But if it’s Noah and another significant piece, maybe I hold off, hoping that they can get someone comparable next year, especially considering that they could trade Noah and then Stoudemire or someone could walk.
Yeah, I don’t know.
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. --Bruce Bartlett
by tyger1147 on May 19, 2009 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ricky Rubio is destined for Phoenix
Nash’s successor slowly takes over, gut cap space for the next few years, then rebuild around Rubio/Amare.
That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
by Ozzie Montana on May 18, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go
SUNS!
C’mon Ozzie… tyger… make with the magic voodoo vibe again!
"As a basketball player gordon is a useless as tits on a a whore" - BigWay (Dec 2, 2008). BigWank, I'll miss you more than all the others. This song is for you, my brother!
by marionette on May 18, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hell no
Let some East team win it :P
by Sabonis4Ever on May 19, 2009 3:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya
goin for suns and the evil empire…really dont wanna see the clippers
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 6:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Way to jinx it.
Man-slave, bring me my PB&J!
by wjb1492 on May 19, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
afterwards
I thought it was great finding out Pax wasn’t watching, indeed, wasn’t even thinking about it, and it was his sons who let him know what happened. The whole not thinking about it just is another reminder what a long shot it was getting that number one pick. Good times.
by KT on May 18, 2009 7:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
you don't believe that do you?
maybe he just locked him self into a closet and his son let him out?lol You know he was thinking about it come on. I bet David Stern called him before the draft. ‘’ Ok we’ll let you guys land the number one pick.‘’ ’’Don’t mess it up!’’
by SoulEater7 on May 18, 2009 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats my theory
we went out for pizza after the game. -dave wannstedt
by BULLieving in Miami on May 18, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
after reading those comments made me wish I was here when it happened
btw it’s hilarious now reading all the “Draft Rose! don’t get Beasley” comments, I’m so glad that Pax didn’t messed it up and we got the ROY
"...Lies, damned lies, and statistics."
by Teri on May 18, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Nah, wrong number

That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
by Ozzie Montana on May 19, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i actually wasn't watching
i think i was watching Marlins baseball or something and my friends called me when the Bulls suddenly had a top 2 pick. then my phone REALLY got blown up by texts and calls from all my Heat-loving friends when the Bulls got #1. LOL. oh, i love living in Miami. if Wade ever goes home, i’ll never hear the end of it.
we went out for pizza after the game. -dave wannstedt
by BULLieving in Miami on May 18, 2009 7:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Reading those old comments
reminded me of how the big Kirk/Gordon rivalry began that day. “Kirk can play SG!” “We need two PGs!” The day we lost our innocence. Ok, now I feel sick.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
by cranscape on May 18, 2009 7:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
tomorrow 8:30 on espn
"...Lies, damned lies, and statistics."
by Teri on May 18, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Noah
The Bulls are known for trading a star player,so what do you think they will do if some other team wants Noah?That’s why they will never,never,ever win another championship because they will not let their player’s stay together long enough to have that bond that Mike had with Scottie.
by cousar on May 19, 2009 7:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Who have we gotten rid of who turned out to be a stud?
If anything we hold on to people until their value tanks.
We’d need Mike and Scottie to recreate Mike and Scottie and they are not on the team. I don’t really think you can create that no matter how long players stay together. Gordon, Deng, and Kirk have all played together since they started in the NBA and that never developed. It is an organic thing that will either happen or not. You can’t manufacture it. You can just try to make smart moves along the way.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
by cranscape on May 19, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chandler isn't a stud
The little amount of success he has is attributed to having the best PG in the game on his team.*
(* saying that he and Rose would have been great together would have been an impossible matchup. Chandler was traded for Ben Wallace, who brought horrible play to this team, which lead to a 1st round pick)
by NittanyCub on May 19, 2009 7:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know
Depends on what one calls a stud. I think Noah is very Chandlerish so no real loss.
by Sabonis4Ever on May 19, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
His increase in “production” just came from an increase of being on the floor and having a PG who fed him the bad a foot away from the basket. He still isn’t that great and if I remember right they’ve already tried to trade him and had it backfire when he couldn’t pass a physical. Not a stud. He is the same guy we knew very well here.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
by cranscape on May 19, 2009 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since when is Noah a star?
Not that I would go out of my way to trade him, but he certainly isn’t untradeable or anything. If Toronto were to demand Noah be part of a trade for Chris Bosh, I’d have to consider it (of course, I’d also demand Bosh sign a contract extension with the Bulls after any trade).
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
by Big D on May 19, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will never forget last year's lottery.
I went beserk when we were not called at the #9 spot. Same for #3 and #2. wjb1492 do you have the link to last year’s draft night diary? That would be terrific to read again. We all went wild when we won.
by chgobr on May 19, 2009 11:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The link is in WJB's post.
"Whoever was responsible for pulling that offer [to Ben Gordon] off the table...bring him before me and I'll punch him right in the face " - Frederick Pfeiffer
by Granny Waiters on May 19, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
found it - thanks!!
….and I love it all over again!!!!!!
by chgobr on May 19, 2009 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i love the first comment
I’m pleased as long as they don’t drop
I hate that (slim) possibility. I can’t wait to find out who David Stern fixed the draft lottery for this year!!!
:D
"They should. They better. I'm Vinny Del Negro!"
by Jaina on May 19, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are so many great comments
I love this short string where wjb1492 states “I’m actually shaking”.
by chgobr on May 19, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot about Stan the Man plugging season tickets like a hack moments after winning the lottery
That was classic.
That Steve Nash is exactly the same as Kirk Hinrich, but worse.
by NBA Observer on Apr 8, 2009 12:23 PM CDT
by Ozzie Montana on May 19, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh
i just remember that someone commented:
“I guess we won’t be resiging Duhon”
by CJOliveira on May 19, 2009 2:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
OT
John Wall has chosen to go to Kentucky.
Damn, John Calipari gets lucky again with the top freshman PG.
Derrick Rose part 2
by Option27 on May 19, 2009 3:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well
I don’t necessarily mean he’s gonna be like Derrick.
Just mean another chapter in Calipari/Amazing Freshman PG world
by Option27 on May 19, 2009 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That makes Kentucky
quite the powerhouse. Wall, Patterson, and Meeks (if he stays)
by Jamaicanpi on May 19, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure he stays
And yeah, they’re definitely my clear cut fav
by Option27 on May 19, 2009 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game Tread for draft later?
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
game *
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thread ;)
"Whoever was responsible for pulling that offer [to Ben Gordon] off the table...bring him before me and I'll punch him right in the face " - Frederick Pfeiffer
by Granny Waiters on May 19, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The draft lottery won't be the same without Elgin Baylor this year
Or as someone once referred to him, a “veteran of the lottery process.”
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
by Big D on May 19, 2009 7:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
def gonna miss this reaction

"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Start one and maybe she'll move it to the front page when she sees it.
Everything I post is speculation. I have no insider information nor ideas deemed concrete enough by those who are self-elected to regulate post content.
by cranscape on May 19, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol @ knicks gettin
houston and Reggie jackson to show up
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hahah, Chris Webber's face was priceless
It’s like he wanted to say “Dis some bullshit righ’ heere.”
by NittanyCub on May 19, 2009 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Clippers, OKC and Memphis?
The NBA lost
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Goin 4 the thunder
hoping clippers get #3
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
damn
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
FUK THE CLIPPERS!
there gonna ruin Rubio/Griffin
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Griffin has got to be pissed off
The Clippers can’t possibly trade Zach Randolph, so he’s going to have to fight just to get the ball.
Why resort to name calling?
-Dionysus2.0
because I wish to insult you personally
-your friendly BullsBlogger
by Big D on May 19, 2009 7:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
they can trade BD to
open up 4 rubio
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT WHERE DOES Z-BO FIT WITH THE CLIPPERS?
OH NOES!
by NittanyCub on May 19, 2009 7:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The guy with glasses scares me
"Talent wins games, but team work and intelligence wins championships." 23
by Belize on May 19, 2009 7:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Westbrook, Thabo, Durant, Jeff Green plus Thabeet
that could be scary
"...Lies, damned lies, and statistics."
by Teri on May 19, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They've done so well drafting centers
I’m so far from sold on him that I hope they don’t take him – but there would be something poetic about the former Sonics taking another center in the lottery.
At least they moved up a few spots, even if its to the crap spot right after the “sure things” are gone.
Man-slave, bring me my PB&J!
by wjb1492 on May 19, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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