May 19, 2015
Not #OneSixEleven, but in the words of the great Larry David, still pretty, pretty good.
NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum deliberately opened the envelopes at The New York Hilton Midtown, and you knew by the first commercial break that the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers picks wouldn't convey this season. They'll still be in Philadelphia in some shape or form in the near future. At that point, the only matter of business left to handle was where the Sixers would select in the top three of the draft.
Just like last year, the Sixers were the first envelope revealed after the commercial break. They'll pick third, behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. Not the best outcome, but not too shabby, either.
Looking at the various mock drafts, you would expect Kentucky's Karl-Anthony Towns to be gone by the point that the Sixers pick, if they do indeed stay put at three. Duke's Jahlil Okafor has a good chance to be off the board as well, although that's a little more debatable. If those two big men do go 1-2, everyone else is in play. By now, you already know the names: D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay, Justise Winslow, Kristaps Porzingis, etc.
Putting aside the idea of draft reform for a second, the actual lottery is some of the most entertaining 20 minutes in sports. For the parties with a vested interest (looking at you, Sixers fans), it's pure agony. It's reality television that is actual reality television! For that reason, I absolutely love it.
Now, it's officially draft season. Even if Sam Hinkie and his front office run an extremely tight ship, there certainly won't be a lack of stories and speculation coming out Philadelphia.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
