Basketball

NEW YORK – As I stepped into a crowded Good Morning America Times Square Studio after the NBA lottery, other media, observers and official team representatives had already flooded the floor. It was difficult to even walk without following a single-file stream leading toward the center of the crowd. In the scrum, the first face I clearly saw belonged to Andre Drummond. The 6-foot-10 center towered above everyone near him, using his wide frame to clear space in his immediate vicinity. He was smiling. The Pistons’ streak of never benefitting from moving up in the lottery – the only time they’ve moved up, they drafted Darko Milicic – remains in tact. Entering Tuesday’s lottery with the No. 7 seed, the Pistons fell to the No. 8 pick to create a grim situation. The Cavaliers, a Central Division foe, landed the No. 1 pick and will also see Anderson Varejao return from injury. Another Central Division team, the Pacers, will begin play in the Eastern Conference Finals tomorrow. A third Central Division team, the Bulls, won a playoff series and will get Derrick Rose back next season. The Pistons might be in better shape than the Bucks, but at least Milwaukee made the playoffs this season, and I’m not going to bother with the pointless exercise of comparing the Pistons and Bucks. Moreover, the eighth pick is not a great place to sit in this draft. Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Trey Burke, Victor Oladipo and Anthony Bennett will almost certainly be off the board. It would have been worth hoping one fell to No. 7, but to No. 8? It was already a stretch at No. 7. The Pistons won’t even necessarily get their top choice of a lower tier that includes Shabazz Muhammad, Alex Len, Cody Zeller and C.J. McCollum. But as I saw Drummond standing there smiling, I exhaled and smiled, too. Maybe this won’t be so bad. After all, the Pistons have Drummond, one of the league’s most promising players thanks, in part, to the size that allowed me to see him first. And they got him one pick later than they’re choosing this year. Sometimes, the improbable happens, and lately, the Pistons’ improbable luck has come on draft night rather than lottery night. The risks are still plentiful, as the No. 8 pick might do just enough to ensure the Bobcats get the best pick possible in a stacked 2014 draft, thanks to a first rounder Detroit still owes them from the Ben Gordon trade (top-eight protected next year). Is a Drummond-Greg Monroe-Brandon Knight core plus whoever the Pistons draft and sign this year good enough to run with? Before I knew it, a crew dismantled the stage that not long ago Drummond and ever other team’s lottery representatives sat on. I didn’t stick around to watch the end, but the crew was taking down the logos top to bottom, left to right, leaving the Pistons’ logo due to come off last. The Pistons are still standing thanks to Drummond, and they might even still be smiling thanks to an irrational hope that draft luck repeats itself. But as much as I want to remain optimistic, I can’t help but think it won’t be long until someone comes by and takes down what the Pistons are building.

At the end of the first half of Game 2 of the San Antonio Spurs' Western Conference Finals against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spurs turn the clock back to 1999's level of defense, when David Robinson and a young Tim Duncan snuffed out the New York Knick's chances of extending The Finals. Just watch as Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter harrass, block and intimidate the Grizzlies into seven straight misses under their own basket before finally securing the defensive rebound. Man, that's fun to watch. Even Tony Parker got in on the act!

The Magic will pick second in the NBA Draft after the Cleveland Cavaliers drew the winning combination in the NBA Draft Lottery. Orlando entered the Lottery with the best odds at winning the first overall pick. However, that has actually not been a lock for the top pick. Only three teams -- including the Magic in 2004 -- have won the lottery with the best odds. That followed suit this year as the Cavaliers won the lottery for the second time in three years, this time with the third best Lottery odds. The Washington Wizards climbed into the top three to win the third selection. So the Magic will have to wait five minutes into the NBA Draft before it is their turn to make a selection. This hardly changes their approach however. All the top prospects -- from Nerlens Noel to Ben McLemore to Victor Oladipo to Trey Burke -- are still squarely in play for the Magic. Even though this is considered a weak draft at the top, there are still several players that could be long-term contributors for the Magic or any team. The Draft preparations will still be about research and figuring out which player fits what the Magic are trying to build. That could be just about anyone. After a 20-win season, Orlando is likely thinking not about immediate roster needs but who would make a good building block for the long-term future. The next month of research, workouts and interviews will be vital. That research will also include looking into any trades that might occur and potential deals. Orlando will surely be keeping its ear to the ground and remain open to making deals if they become available. A month is a long time to wait. A lot is still left to do.

That sequence — seven missed shots inside five feet in a row — pretty much sums up the first half for Memphis. Tony Allen has his shot rejected blocked. But he got the ball back then missed a bunny. Zach Randolph came in and missed a tip in (he was 1-of-10 shooting in the first…

The Mavericks might not actually use the first lottery pick they've owned in a dozen years. Multiple sources told ESPN.com's Chad Ford that the Mavs ...

Chad Ford offers his third mock draft of 2013, in the wake of Tuesday night's NBA Draft Lottery.

1 -Cleveland – Heck, they just need a coach and they should be off and running away from the lottery at least. Now if your them with the number one pick, and 3 others to boot (1, 19, 31, & 33), Who do you draft? Many say this draft has no superior players, but its stacked with a depth of starters and solid back ups. Cleveland has Irving PG, Waiters SG, Vorejao C, Thompson PF, and Zeller C. Top draft picks are Noel C, McLemore SG, Porter SF, Burke PG, Aladipo SG/SF, Zeller C, McCollum PG, Len C, Bennet PF. So other than depth, or an All Star, they really only need a SF. First pick in the 2013 Draft = Otto Porter. Unless they trade down, or feel that Noel or McLemore are All Stars it has to be Porter. The good thing for them is they also need a back up PG, which many should be available for any of their other picks. If Cleveland is in the lottery the next few yrs, then they will be story line of why the lottery doesnt work…… 2 – Orlando – They own the 2nd and 51st picks. They need lots of help. They have some solid players but no All Stars. I can see the taking what they consider best available out of Noel or McLemore. 3 – Washington – They have Wall and Beal, but are in big need of help in the front court. I can see them drafing best big available. Funny thing is, they dont need to be this high to land a good big. Noel, Zeller, or Bennet come off the board here. 4 – Charlotte – wont be crying at this time as they need help in the Front court and unless you see a trade, Charlotte takes the best big available at this time. Likely Zeller or Noel. The Bobcats already have 4 guards in Walker, Henderson, Gordon, and Sessions. Charlotte only has one pick in this draft, and may decide to trade down to gather a few more, could be an interesting spot to watch. 5 – Phoenix – Need help badly. Who knows, they could go with best available or trade it away. My guess is if McClemore is here the gobble him up with out much thought.. 6 – New Orleans – I would Guess Burke or Oladipo could go at this point. So, what do you guys think. Does it change some things? Do the top 3 trade down or out? How about the rest of the lottery, its going to be a hard one to call this year. Now that we are set at 14, 21, and 46 who do you want to draft? Would you be happy to trade up or out? Can we land your favorite guy? Lets see. 14th Caldwell, MCW, or Plumlee could all drop to us. Who do you take of the 3? 21st Adetokoubo, Larkin, Gobert, Hardaway? 46th Kabongo, Jackson, Covington? I think you take 2 PGs and a SF would be nice. But there are so many combinations of just the players I mentioned. Plumlee, Larkin, Jackson. MCW, Adetokoubo, Jackson. MCW, Larkin, Covington. The combinations are endless. Your turn.

Ok, the draft order is set, we are ready to mock the 2013 draft. I'll do picks 1-20 and may edit depending on things that unfold before the actual draft on June 27th. The Cavaliers once again rise to the first pick in the draft, but unlike the last two times as Quick Draw McGraw might say, There's some thinnin' to do round here. There is no clear cut order here but here is what I think might happen with some comments. 1. Cleveland-Nerlens Noel-I really think Cleveland would rather take someone else(Porter)but could use the inside presence of Noel more. Also helps drive the 2014 tank so this is the way they go imho. 2. Orlando-Trey Burke-Struggled with this one for a bit but I can't see them picking someone else, think Noel would be the best for them but PG is definitely a PON(position of need I'll use this again) 3. Washington-Otto Porter-Biggest no-brainer so far, Georgetown kid, play the biggest PON. Only trouble is the Wiz have no one to score other than their backcourt and have little to trade. 4. Charlotte-Ben McLemore-They get their choice of 2 guards here, wouldn't be surprised with Olipado either but I think scoring wins over D. 5. Phoenix-Victor Olipado-Debated on Bennett for a minute but think Victor fills a PON and gives them some D. Sarver will be making more changes, hey Robert, need a flashy PG to go with Olipado? 6. New Orleans Pelicans-Cody Zeller-Bennett should be taken here but I'm guessing they go Zeller, kind of makes sense. 7. Sacramento Kings-C.J. McCollum-makes sense to me even though I'd love him to fall to 15. 8. Detroit Pistons-Shabazz Muhammed-Think Detroit would prefer McCollum but takes some scoring with Bazz. 9. Minnesota T-Wolves-Alex Len- Not really who they want but no choice really 10. Portland Trailblazers-Steven Adams-Looking at my countryman Bennett who has tumbled down to 10 but they go big with Steven Adams 11. Philadelphia 76ers-Anthony Bennett-They run up to the mike and grab Bennett before anyone yells mulligan, a great pick for the Sixers 12. Oklahoma Thunder-Kelly Olynyk-Back-to-back Canucks, Kelly Olynyk helps out with some front-court scoring. 13. Dallas Mavericks-Miles Plumlee-I know some think Schroeder but I pick Plumlee here, just a gut feel. 14. Utah Jazz-Dennis Schroeder-Ricky Dennis Schroeder, no ifs, ands or buts 15. Milwaukee Bucks-Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-Coin flip between KCP and Sergei Karasev, Pope wins out 16. Boston Celtics-Michael Carter-Williams-Can't resist Michael Carter-Williams, they'll shop Rondo in the summer. 17. Atlanta Hawks-Rudy Gobert-just because they have two picks. 18. Atlanta Hawks-Gorgui Dieng- no more Al Horford at C. 19. Cleveland Cavaliers-Sergei Karasev-fits perfectly here, their D will still blow but they can fill it. 20. Chicago Bulls-Jamaal Franklin-forms the most athletic NBA backcourt with Rose(presuming Rose plays next year) Well that's it for my 2013 Mock Draft, feel free to leave any comments, I am sure we are not all in agreement. I think there will be some trades this year, just didn't want to make a mock with trades(I can see Minny trading out for sure) Don't think Bennett falls to 11 either tbh, just the way it played out Ok, the draft order is set, we are ready to mock the 2013 draft. I'll do picks 1-20 and may edit depending on things that unfold before the actual draft on June 27th. The Cavaliers once again rise to the first pick in the draft, but unlike the last two times as Quick Draw McGraw might say, There's some thinnin' to do round here. There is no clear cut order here but here is what I think might happen with some comments. 1. Cleveland-Nerlens Noel-I really think Cleveland would rather take someone else(Porter)but could use the inside presence of Noel more. Also helps drive the 2014 tank so this is the way they go imho. 2. Orlando-Trey Burke-Struggled with this one for a bit but I can't see them

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