Re: The Cleveland Cavaliers Magic Number Thread for Most Ping Pong Balls in May 2011.
Shit, we can't be winning too many games. I want 25% chance for that #1 pick! Please B-Diddy play hard and lose games for us
We just won 3 out of 5, including two wins over contenders and our schedule is quite a bit easier the rest of the way than it's been the last two months and we have multiple starters playing the best basketball of their careers lately (JJ, Sessions). There's a decent chance we fall (rise?) out of last place.
Of course, the last time I thought we were showing signs turning it around, we went on the longest losing streak in league history and lost about half of our team to injuries. More losses certainly improve odds, but we're nearly certain to get 2 of the top 10 picks and the team with the worst record has a better chance at the 4th pick than they do for the 1st pick. In 07, Memphis had the worst record and got the 4th pick.
What is ultimately really better, though. To have JJ return to looking like a bust, thus lock in the worst record or have JJ continue to look like a potential emerging all star caliber player, win a few games and risk moving up a spot or two in the standings? The target is Irving, yet there's no guarantee we get the first pick and no guarantee that Irving won't stay in school because of a combination of his missing most of the season, the pending lockout and the chance to play a full season for Coach K and with Austin Rivers next year. He has a chance to watch a national championship this year, but a chance to participate in one next year if he stays.
What I'm not sure of is do players drafted this year have a chance to sign their rookie contract under the old CBA before a lockout happens. If that's possible, it may draw out players who otherwise might wait a year rather than risk losing a season of development because of a lockout.
