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Has the NBA Draft Lottery Screwed the Phoenix Suns: A look into history

By Matt Litzenberg

Dec 18, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Former NBA player David Robinson cheers during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Former NBA player David Robinson cheers during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2007 NBA Draft Lottery

Mar 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) dribbles against Phoenix Suns forward Brandan Wright (32) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) dribbles against Phoenix Suns forward Brandan Wright (32) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

You may be asking yourself, the Suns never had a lottery pick in the 2007 NBA draft, they were one of the top teams. This information is flawed. In 2007, the Phoenix Suns had the Atlanta Hawks’ first round pick so long as it did not fall into the top three. The Hawks had the fourth best odds but managed to move up to third and selected Florida’s Al Horford with the pick. The Suns would not convey the pick until the next year, in which the Hawks became a playoff team and ended up drafting 15th, and the Suns selected Robin Lopez.

Overall, this was one of the most fixed lotteries of all time. You have the Portland Trailblazers getting the first pick and a potential dynasty being created in the West. You have the Seattle Supersonics getting the second pick, which could save the franchise and build a Northwest rivalry with Portland. And you have the Hawks stealing Phoenix’s pick.

This year is never described as fixed, but it clearly is.

Verdict – 2002 Game 6 Western Conference Finals Fixed

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