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Behind The Scenes At The NBA Draft Lottery: Sixers Edition

2013-05-22T13:54:14Z

There was a 90.7 percent chance that the Philadelphia 76ers would wind up with the No. 11 pick at the end of Tuesday night's Draft Lottery... and that's exactly what happened.

Neither of the team's representatives - co-owners Josh Harris and Adam Aron - brought any sort of lucky charm with them to New York last evening, but it probably didn't matter all that much. The Sixers did the most damage to their chances by winning 11 out of their last 20 games - pride is a fool's fortress - and no rabbit's foot, four-leaf clover, or Steve Nash bobblehead doll was going to magically vault them into the top 3.

There typically isn't much to be gleaned from events like this (it's really just a vehicle for owners and general managers from across the league to get together to talk shop), but in between bites of penne pasta and prime rib, both Harris and Aron were willing to speak on the record about the future of the franchise. And while Harris sidestepped a direct question in regards to how close he thought his team is from being a contender - "I'm going to let [new GM] Sam [Hinkie] speak about that" - he and Aron offered a few interesting takeaways:

Aron on Hinkie's role in the search for a new head coach:
"People in the ownership group will certainly interview the serious candidates, but it's Sam's search to run."

Harris on analytics:
"I think people get confused when you talk about analytics... All you're doing is adding data to player evaluation. Seems like it's very logical."

Harris, prior to the lottery results being announced, on whether he believes in luck:
"In my day job (as manager of a private equity firm), I spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to make smart bets, smart investments... but I've never been much of a superstitious person. And obviously in this... this is pure luck. There's nothing you can do to influence this."

(Note: You could have influenced it by not winning those meaningless games in April. But I digress...)

Harris on whether the team has enough information to make a decision on Bynum:
"Diligence is a process - you're always gathering information. But obviously, we've been thinking a lot about that. Certainly, we have more information than... the league at large, having lived with Andrew, and we have an exclusive negotiating period right now, so certainly we're looking at it, and gathering more information every day."

(Note: Call me crazy, but "Living With Andrew" sounds like a fantastic idea for a sitcom - I can hear the laugh track as I'm typing this. Levin: Have your people call my people.)

Harris on his role in major basketball decisions:
"The way it works with something that significant, the basketball people are tasked with developing a viewpoint, and certainly on that kind of decision, I would be briefed... I mean clearly, when there are big, big money issues, certainly we're going to get involved, because we're the ones writing the checks. But I think what we've shown is that if it's kind of important for the team, we think it moves the needle, we think it's a smart risk, we'll spend. We don't want to be dumb about it or stupid about it - the reality is, including the amnesty, our payroll was $84 million last year. So that was... kind of a lot of money."

Harris on coming out of the lottery with the No. 11 pick:
"Expected value. I figured when we came here I had a small probability of being super happy, and a small probability of being slightly sad, and I'm neither, We're right were we expected to be, but it was nice to be here and support the Sixers. It was good."

Again, the Draft Lottery isn't a place where earth-shattering revelations are made. But as is the case with virtually every NBA-sanctioned event, the night belonged to outgoing Commissioner David Stern, who gave something of a "State of the Union" address prior to ESPN's televised proceedings.

Stern may not be the most affable person in the world, but he's almost always the smartest man in the room, and his "G" (read: gangsta) is so unparalleled, it's impressive to watch him in action. For an example, take this exchange between Stern and a reporter last night:

Reporter: Three of the four teams that are in the playoffs are probably from your smallest markets. Is that a concern when it comes to your TV partners in terms of your ratings, etc.?

Stern: Not in the least. I asked Heather Cox (of ESPN): How do you define small?

Reporter: It's not Los Angeles, New York or Chicago.

Stern: Is it the lower half of the league?

Reporter: Well, I think popular TV markets...

Stern: Lower half?

Reporter: OK.

Stern: Good, thank you. We have four teams in the lower half of our TV households. It's not three of four, it's four of four. Miami is 16th. And it just goes to show you that if you have good teams, people will want to watch... Miami wasn't a big market, defined by the media as a big market until it attracted big players, and then suddenly it became a big market.

Reporter: I'm talking about the international market that goes beyond graphs and sizes...

Stern: Really? You should go back and look at some of the numbers. Sorry - it doesn't hold.

The best example of David Stern's G? At the reception prior to the draft lottery, there was an empty table that was literally guarded by a woman for the better part of two hours.

She wasn't eating or drinking like every one else in the room - she just stood next to the table with a stoic expression on her face like the guards in front of Buckingham Palace. It soon became clear that the table was reserved for a VIP, but while a simple "This table is reserved for Commissioner David Stern" sign probably would have sufficed, but that's not how Stern rolls. I'm really going to miss that guy.

Hopefully, Hinkie has that same amount of G if and when someone on the basketball side of the house floats a proposal to sign Bynum to a long-term deal. But while Hinkie may or may not have Stern-level G, he definitely has the No. 11 pick. And given the uncertain nature of this year's draft class, we all may want to break out the lucky charms come June 27.

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Experts Have Sixers Going Big

2013-05-22T13:51:24Z

Last night's Draft Lottery was the equivalent of a Dan Brown book. You pretty much knew what you were going to get, but there was some small part of you -- maybe like 2.9% of you -- that hoped it would lift itself out of the mediocrity, and a bigger part of you that worried it would be worse. But in the end, Majority, and O'Doyle, rules, and the Sixers will go into the NBA Draft slotted with the 11th overall pick.

And now, we enter a phase that we in the biz call "Oh My God Seriously Another Mock Draft?" Experts and people who breathe with their mouths will be submitting countless mock drafts between now and June 27th. We'll report some of them back to you when we feel like it. But keep in mind that the Sixers are run by Sam "Hot Pants" Hinkie. He don't like to stay still for too long -- I do not believe the Sixers will simply make their three picks (11, 35, 42) and be on their way.

But for now, here are the updated NBA Mock Drafts that currently have the Sixers going with a big man because apparently Spencer Hawes, Kwame Brown, Lavoy Allen, and Andrew Bynum's expiring contract don't seem to cut it.

DRAFT EXPRESS - Cody Zeller

DX doesn't take their mock too seriously until later in the draft process, but now that individual team needs are finally being considered, this is worth looking at. Givony has Rudy Gobert going the pick before and the Sixers opting for Zeller over Kelly Olynyk and Mason Plumlee.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED - Kelly Olynyk

Mannix has Zeller going to the Kings at 7 and Alex Len falling to 10 for the Blazers. Here's what he had to say about it.

"With the future of Andrew Bynum in doubt and with a hole at the power forward spot, the Sixers badly need frontcourt help. There are questions about Olynyk's strength and concerns about how, after three years at Gonzaga, he will match up with bigger, more physical defenders. But there is no denying Olynyk's offensive skills. He has a variety of moves in the post and at the combine showcased guard-like shooting from the perimeter."

SB NATION - Rudy Gobert

Jonathan Tjarks has the Blazers opting for Cody Zeller with the pick before, which leaves the extremely long Frenchman for the Sixers at 11. Upside, baby. Nobody say Alexis Ajinca, please for the love of God. Here's Tjarks, whose opinion I trust, on Gobert.

"It's hard to get a feel for what direction new management will go in here. Do they go with a safe, low-ceiling pick or swing for the fences? Gobert, and his 7'9 wingspan, definitely falls into the second category."

NBA.COM - Mason Plumlee

There's our boy! He'd been dropping to the mid-late teens in most mocks, but NBA.com, steadfast as ever, has the Sixers asking for just one serving of mashed potatoes, thank you very much. With Zeller gone, Howard-Cooper has the Sixers opting for ol' Plum Face instead of Olynyk and Gobert.

"The combination of a developing offensive game and already-there elite athleticism for a big man has turned the brother of Pacers rookie Miles Plumlee into a very solid choice late in the lottery."

CHAD FORD - Cody Zeller

If you've been doing the Lottery Generator with any regularity, you know Ford's had Zeller and the Sixers married like the couple who always want you to come over for game night if you bring a vegetable tray but without the ranch dip because ranch is too fatty and we're already having blueberry crumble for dessert. Ford, INSIDER ONLY BUT WHERE'S MY PROMO CODE, thinks they go Zeller even with the Shabazz Muhammad enigma still on the board.

CBS, MATT MOORE - Gorgui Dieng

More bigs! I don't buy Dieng having monster upside and I think this would be a reach, but I don't dislike Dieng in a vacuum.

"The Sixers need a big man with a pulse. Re-sign Bynum, don't re-sign Bynum they have to stop playing Thad Young at the four and relying on Spencer Hawes. Dieng gives them a high level big that can rebound with a monster upside."

Also, NBADraft.net, who we don't particularly love or trust, has them going with Olynyk with Gobert and Shabazz still on the board.

It's mocking season!

NBA Draft Lottery Results: Sixers Remain at 11th Pick

2013-05-22T00:52:00Z

Despite our best efforts and Adam Aron's face, Lucy turned her nose at us and the Sixers did not move up into the Top 3 of the NBA Draft Lottery. They will remain Galadriel with the 11th pick in next month's draft. Not necessarily the worst thing with in the world with Sergeant Spreedsheet Sam Hinkie at the helm.

Congratulations to the three less-deserving teams for sneaking into the Top Three and out-tanking us all. Jerks. The odds weren't ever in our favor and I suppose the Hinkie hiring gives us our fill of Good Sixers News for the ~~month~~ year, but, ya know, luck and stuff would've been quite nice. Roy will have a full juicy report from the Lottery up tomorrow morning.

So we move forward with the 11th, 35th, and 42nd picks in the 2013 NBA Draft. I can guarantee we won't remain there. But since we've got just over a month before David Stern gives somebody a Sixers hat, it's time to seriously think about who we want.

Participation required:

1. Who do you want if they stay at 11?
2. Who is the top guy you'd trade up a few spots for?
3. Who would you want them to trade down to the early 20's and get?

Coaching search and all blah blah blah, but all eyes are on the draft. I don't care how terrible it is. We've got Hinkie. I'm confident.

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY OFFICIAL SIXERS LUCY PRAYER CIRCLE THREAD

2013-05-21T23:35:02Z

The NBA Draft Lottery Extravaganza is one of the more ridiculous televised events in the world. It's always ridiculously quiet with an heir of supreme seriousness broken only by Adam Silver's Adam Silverness. Everything seems too clean. The team reps have no idea how to interact with each other or when to smile or how to act. Each year feels like the first year they've televised it. I imagine this year won't be better.

More Lotto Stuff: NBA Lottery FAQ Should-Be Sixers Reps Pank

I hate that the Sixers don't have better odds. It's been a while since I've thrown some hatred at Damien Wilkins so here it goes:

HEY DAMIEN WILKINS, I HOPE THAT APPLE YOU'RE EATING IS ROTTEN.

That feels better.

I will not be watching the Lottery live with you guys. Apologies, but I'm a student of karma and, despite the odds against us, am indebted to follow it to my grave. When the Sixers won the 2nd overall pick in 2010, I was with my pops at a Phillies game. Tonight, I'll be playing basketball with him. It's DVR'd. I promise I'll watch it. But I've got a scheduled post already written that the Sixers are standing pat at 11 and I really hope you guys never see it. Hopefully some father-son fast breaks will do the trick.

Lucy was conceived as the God of Tanking. She still dabbles in other areas, but the surefire Lottery God is Shelly. Pray to Shelly. Do not forsake us.

OH MY GOD THE DRAFT OH MY GOD NUMBERS OH MY GOD HINKIE. Let's knock it out of the Pank. Sixers Be Helen.

Philadelphia 76ers 2013 NBA Draft Lottery FAQ

2013-05-21T19:00:09Z

The following is everything that you wanted to know about tonight's Draft Lottery, but were afraid to ask...

How does this thing work?

14 numbered ping-pong balls are loaded into a standard lottery machine, and from those 14, a combination of four balls is selected. Each of the 14 lottery teams is assigned a certain number of possible combinations based on their record from the previous season.

The 20-62 Orlando Magic had the worst record this year, so they will be assigned 250 out of the 1,000 possible combinations (actually, there are 1,001 possible combinations, but the NBA ignores 11-12-13-14 because... basketball reasons). The Sixers, meanwhile, will be assigned eight out of the 1,000 combinations. They could have had twice as many had they lost four more games, so blame Doug Collins and/or Damien Wilkins at your leisure.

Four-ball combinations are pulled out of the hopper until each of the first three selections is assigned, and after that, the rest of the lottery picks are given out based on record.

Why does the NBA hold a lottery? Why don't they just assign all of the picks based on record?

It's to prevent teams from purposely tanking (or panking, as some would call it) in order to get the No. 1 pick. Of course, this doesn't prevent teams from losing in order to improve their odds, but a certain franchise that shall remain nameless refused to do that this season for a reason called PRIDE.

So... the Sixers can't really win this thing, can they?

Probably not. Under the current system, no team with odds as bad as the Sixers has ever won the whole thing. However, the last time the draft lottery was held in New York City (1993), the Orlando Magic went from 11th to 1st. So there's that.

So you're saying there's a chance?

Sure. The Sixers have a 0.8 percent chance at the No. 1 pick, a 0.95 percent chance at the No. 2 pick and a 1.15 chance that they'll wind up at No. 3. There's also a 90.7 percent chance that they'll stay right at No. 11, and a 6.5 percent chance that they'll actually fall back to either 12, 13 or 14. Welcome to Philadelphia, Kelly Olynyk.

Who will be representing the Sixers in New York?

While other teams are sending guys like Brad Beal, Damian Lillard and Kevin Love, the Sixers will be represented the dynamic duo of Adam Aron and Josh Harris. Personally, I'd send Sonny Hill and/or one of World B. Free's suits, but it's not my call. In case you missed it, we debated the different possibilities here.

I've heard that the lottery is rigged in order to favor certain teams. Is that true?

Nope. Many people (read: the newly unemployed David Kahn) think that it is in light of the whole Patrick Ewing fiasco in 1985. But small-market teams win just as often as large-market franchises, so it seems as if everything is on the up-and-up.

However, if the New York Knicks miss the playoffs in 2013-14 and somehow wind up with Andrew Wiggins, then we may need to revisit this question next year.

What Can You Do To Ensure The Sixers Land A Top Three Pick?

2013-05-21T14:45:06Z

The NBA Draft Lottery is, miraculously, tonight. With the 11th worst overall record, the Sixers currently have a 2.9% chance of finding their way into a top 3 pick in this year's draft (and a 6% chance of dropping past 11th). That's mostly well and good, until you remember percent means out of a 100 and 2.9% is just slightly less than a 3 out of 100 chance. On the plus side, this is a significantly better chance than winning the Powerball. On the minus side, this does not look good.

But fear not! I have come up with some (possibly) foolproof ways for you, yes You, to help the Sixers increase their chances at landing in the Top 3 in the Draft lottery!

Think of your son.
Think of Andre Iguodala's son.
Write a letter to Adm Aron asking the Sixers to knock the #11 pick out of the pank tonight.
Wake up as King Arthur, call on the immortal Merlin, and make magic happen.
Repeatedly scream "THE SIXERS WILL GET A TOP THREE PICK" every time you use a stapler at work. Hopefully it's a big stapling day at the office.
Fire a confetti cannon with each keystroke.
Sever your left pinky toe as a tribute offering to Lucy.
Create a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet in honor of the new Sixers General Manager.
Wearing a Sixers jersey, slip David Stern a 20 when you bump into him on the street.
Draft a 15,000 word essay on the importance of late night text messaging in basketball.
Sneak into WIP's studios and burn all tapes of Angelo Cataldi talking about the Dirty Thirty.
Douse yourself in lube.
Walk around town with a yellow umbrella calling yourself The Top Three Pick.
Take a poop. Take another.
Re-watch the 1993 NBA Draft Lottery.
Pour one out for Shawn Bradley's career.
Re-watch the 2010 NBA Draft Lottery because once the Sixers get a top 3 pick what can possibly go wrong?

Please report back any and all findings!

Sixers Interested in Houston Rockets Assistants Chris Finch and Kelvin Sampson

2013-05-21T12:30:05Z

New developments have been made in The Search For The Sixers Next Head Coach™. According to reports, the Sixers are interested in two assistants from the Houston Rockets. Specifically, they're rumored to be targeting Chris Finch and Kelvin Sampson. It's no surprise that the Sixers have interest in Rockets assistants considering new GM Sam Hinkie's background in Houston.

More: Sam Hinkie and Analytics

First, we'll take a look at Finch. Here's the report from Eskin:

Told 2day that in lead 4 next #sixers HC is Houston Rockets assistant Chris Finch. From Reading PA, and HC overseas 4 a few @fox29philly
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) May 21, 2013

As you can see, Finch (43) is originally "FROM HERE". Despite being a local guy, he's spent plenty of time overseas as both a player and a coach. Along with coaching some Euro teams, he oversaw the men's basketball British national team. Finch's coaching experience in the US includes a successful stint with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, who won a NBA D-League championship under him in 2010.

From what I've gleaned, he is seen as an "offensive coach". Here's an interesting Finch nugget (yum) I found in a 2011 interview:

[Q]: I know you believe in freedom on offense and virtually no freedom on defense. What do you want to define this team offensively?

[Finch]: I want us to always be on the attack. I want us to look and feel like a herd of horses coming down the floor every single time. I want us to really, first and foremost, put the defense under pressure every way possible and I want to see us share the ball. We want to run and keep the tempo high, but to do that we have to value the right shots and we have to do it unselfishly.

Finch has be touted by some as a potential successor to current Rockets coach Kevin McHale. If that's true, he could be hard to pry away from Houston if the Rockets really do value him for their future. It also means that Hinkie could indeed highly covet him for the open job in Philadelphia.

Sixers Coaching Targets: Quin Snyder Mike Malone/Jeff Hornacek Brian Shaw

The other Houston assistant's name that has come up in the coaching search is Kelvin Sampson. According to a report, the Sixers have received permission to interview him.

Sampson (57) has years of coaching experience in both the pros and the college ranks. Reports indicate that he's also a candidate for a number of other open coaching jobs this off-season.

Here's what The Dream Shake (Rockets SBN site) had to say about him:

In a lot of ways, Sampson is an old school guy. His father coached basketball, a hard brand of basketball, and those values clearly stuck with him. If you're not rebounding, hustling down the floor, or playing defense, say hello to the bench. At the same time, he is an incredibly hard worker. Players respect that, and he's managed to connect with stars at every step of the way. James Harden in particular has become close with Sampson, and I'm sure if the Sixers hired him, he'd build great relationships with star big men Spencer Hawes and Kwame Brown as well.

* * *

Hiring a coach from Houston would make a lot of sense for the Sixers. The familiarity with Hinkie and the kind of expectations he has would help the new coach fit in here. It would also be ideal for creating an exciting offense that looks to take good shots, similar to the Rockets offense.

Keep an eye on these names as the Sixers continue their search.

You've Got Sixers Email, Vol. 5: Kelvin Sampson and Player Comps

2013-05-20T23:52:37Z

Michael Baumann
For all the crap we went through this season, I sure am glad I didn't have to see the Sixers yak away a critical playoff game by playing Derek Fisher.

Michael Levin
When Derek Fisher plays 26 minutes, we all lose.

Michael Levin
I'm on my way to play basketball in Hollywood. Which Sixer should I model my game after tonight? As Dave and Tanner know, i always go in telling myself not to shoot at all. That ends quickly.

Michael Baumann
I never shot when I played pickup regularly. I always had a good handle, went hard after rebounds and always found the open man. I was kind of like Evan Turner with better court vision. Of course, that was several years and several dozen pounds ago, so right now I'm probably more like a latter-day Corliss Williamson. As long as you can top that, I don't think you'll have a problem.

Justin F.
Seeing as you have the height to pull it off, I would recommend you model your game after Spencer Hawes.

Roy Burton
You seem like a Lou Williams-type of guy, Levin. You want to do the right thing and play the team game, but after that first open look, it all goes downhill.
I've always patterned my game after Reggie Evans: Set screens, grab boards, play tough D. Basically everything that Kwame Brown was supposed to do here.

Rich Hoffmann
I played tonight. Shot the three-ball like George Lynch.

Tanner Steidel
David Lee without a doubt. The True Hoop gang has seen the wrath of D-Leecious.
The couple playing badminton across from us certainly enjoyed it.

Derek Bodner
I always thought I played like a 6'2" version of Matt Harpring. I could occasionally make a shot, but not consistently. Not the greatest athlete and my handles were lolworthy in traffic, but I'd play hard and physical.
Those who can't, write.

Dave Rueter
My heart says Steve Nash. My head says John Crotty.

Sean O'Connor
I came to the realization a while ago that mine resembled a more out-of-shape Spencer Hawes, and I've hated myself ever since. I like to say it's like Brad Miller's, though, because he was actually cool and good.

Michael Baumann
Brad Miller was the absolute tits.

Brandon Lee
I've always thought of myself as the white Ben Wallace.

Michael Levin
Tonight's Verdict: Jerryd Bayless on a bad night. Won 3 of 5 games.

Justin F.
You said former Sixer. Jerryd Bayless is not a former Sixer.
Actually, you just said "Sixer." But still, Jerryd Bayless has no ties with the Sixers.

Michael Levin
HE'S A SIXER IN MY HEART.
Sixers-era Speedy Claxton then.

Dave Rueter
Roy and I only refer to Claxton as Craig. Roy, tell the man.

Roy Burton
I think we can find some middle ground, Dave. On first reference, it must be Craig "Speedy" Claxton (per the rules of the AP stylebook). HOWEVER, any subsequent references can use EITHER Craig or Speedy.

Michael Levin
Well I was playing like Speedy, not Craig. Backboard had no give. All my English just fell by the wayside.

Michael Baumann
The Sixers want to talk to Kelvin Sampson. Can Sampson get them lifted?
And yes, that joke is still funny to me no matter how many times I use it.

Sean O'Connor
It's not surprising given the Houston link, certainly. And I'm a fan of giving Sampson the reins and the same instructions he had in Houston. Not sure if that's a good tanking strategy, but given Houston's track record while Hinkie was there I think tanking is unlikely.

Michael Baumann
This calls for a running feature about Sampson texting various Sixers.

Sean O'Connor
Is it the sequel to Doug giving everyone note cards last year? Because that would be an awesome series.

Dave Reuter
I saw the "Sampson" subject of another email from Mike, and was like, "Ralph is a coach?"

Michael Levin
Ralph's is the name of a grocery store chain on the west coast (maybe just LA?) and I just assume Sampson or Macchio deserve the bulk of the credit.

Justin F.
Is this getting published?

Michael Baumann
Oh, crap, it's already Monday....

Edit: To recap the Liberty Ballers NBA Player comps:

Michael Levin: Jerryd Bayless
Michael Baumann: Corliss Williamson
Roy Burton: Reggie Evans
Rich Hoffmann: George Lynch
Derek Bodner: Matt Harpring
Dave Rueter: Jon Crotty
Sean O'Connor: Brad Miller
Brandon Lee: Ben Wallace
Tanner Steidel: David Lee
Justin F.: A coward who does not compare himself to NBA players.