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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 2013 NBA Draft Lottery

Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) runs up the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) runs up the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2013, the Suns went from aggravatingly mediocre to now bad team after the loss of Steve Nash and Grant Hill. The Suns had the 4th best odds of winning the lottery and ended up moving down one slot from 4 to 5 in classic Suns fashion. The winners of the lottery, the Cleveland Cavilers, who had just won it in 2011, selected UNLV’s finest, Anthony Bennett.

Despite Cleveland winning the lottery and the Suns falling, I don’t believe this was fixed. This draft was viewed as one of the worst in recent memory. There was no projected number one pick. In fact, when Anthony Bennett was drafted #1, it was such a surprise that Bill Simmons did this:

Verdict – Not Fixed, but can someone check in on Anthony Bennett, I hope he’s ok.

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