J-Speaks: New Orleans Pelicans Win 2019 NBA Draft Lottery

Under the new NBA Draft Lottery rules, which began with the one that took place on Tuesday night in Chicago, IL, three teams which had the three worst records during the 2018-19 NBA regular season had a 14 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. For the guys from the “Big Apple,” “The Valley of the Sun,” and “The Land,” that meant they had the same odds of having the chance of drafting the first franchise changing talent since now four-time Kia MVP LeBron James back in 2003. Unfortunately for those three squads the only time they will see the next so-called big thing is when he rolls into their arena’s as a visitor because he is likely headed for the “Big Easy.”

With only a six-percent chance of winning the NBA Draft Lottery coming in, the New Orleans Pelicans beat the odds overwhelmingly and by winning the No. 1 overall pick on Tuesday night at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago, IL they will have the first chance of choosing the 18-year-old freshmen sensation out of Duke University Zion Williamson at the 2019 NBA Draft on Thursday, June 20^th on ESPN, presented by State Farm. 

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry high-fived anyone within reaching distance in a separate location with other NBA team brass when the No. 1 pick was announced. Jubilation was plentiful in the Pelicans’ season-ticket office, that was broadcasted via their Twitter page @PelicansNBA when they won the No. 1 overall pick as they shouted, screamed, laughed, and hugged like it was Marti Gras. 

“Well, I think its just another positive event for us in what’s going to be we hope several we stack together,” Pelicans new executive David Griffin said to ESPN’s Maria Taylor about winning the No. 1 overall pick. 

“I think (Gayle) Benson and her ownership groups have invested in this very heavily and my presence there, and my desire to be there had everything to do with this community. So, I’m really excited for our fanbase and we got a lot of work to do, but this is a good start.” 

When Taylor asked him about the possibility of using that No. 1 pick to select Williamson, Griffin answered, “We got a lot of work to do. This is a good start.” 

This will be the second time in franchise history that the Pelicans will have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Seven years ago, they won the lottery and in June of that year selected with the No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis out of the University of Kentucky. 

This moment though comes after a season where Davis, through his agent Rich Paul of “Klutch Sports” wanted to be traded-which right now does not seem to appealing of an idea, especially with the possibility of playing alongside a Consensus First-Team All-American, who averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals in his only season in a Blue Devils’ uniform. 

Coming into Tuesday’s Draft Lottery, the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers, who had the three worst records in “The Association” this past regular season at 19-63, 19-63 and 17-65 respectably. Only the Knicks made it into the Top 3, earning the No. 3 overall pick with the Memphis Grizzlies (33-49) winning the No. 2 overall selection. The Cavaliers and Suns winning the No. 5 and No. 6 overall picks respectably. 

The frontpage headline of the Wednesday edition of the New York Daily News read “Cryin For No Zion.” 

As big of a win this was for the Pelicans getting the No. 1 overall pick, it was also a big win for the NBA because over the past few seasons, teams that were abysmal and wanted to go the route of so-called “tanking” so that they can earn more ping-pong balls, the new format starting with this draft on that judgment was a success. 

It was especially true for the Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers, who moved up the draft board, much to dismay of the Suns, who won the Draft Lottery last season and selected No. 1 overall DeAndre Ayton, while the Cavaliers hoped to get the No. 1 overall pick for the fourth time in nine years. 

ESPN’s NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski said on Tuesday night pre-draft program “NBA: The Jump: At the NBA Draft Lottery” wanted to curve with this reform of the Draft Lottery is the “race to the bottom.” 

“They [the NBA front office] want teams chasing wins, not ping-pong balls,” Wojnarowski said. “What that may allow here tonight and in future draft lotteries are teams in the back and in the middle having a chance to move up or even getting all the way to No. 1 to get a Zion Williamson.”

Williamson, who name was centerstage in “Chi-Town” on Tuesday night will have an excellent chance to add his name to a list of No. 1 overall picks who entered the league with a great deal of fanfare in the lottery era dating back to 1985 like aforementioned LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, David Robinson, and Allen Iverson.  

“Still nervous. I don’t know why? I’m just still nervous. Maybe because like you said, ‘All eyes were on me,’ and I think-it’s a lot to take in because I don’t know where I’m gonna be,” Williamson said to Taylor after the Draft Lottery took place. 

Williamson, who had never been to New Orleans, LA said to Taylor about possibly being chosen No. 1 overall by the Pelicans next month, “It’s definitely a possibility but, I mean, it’s not sure until it actually happens.” 

One thing is for sure, Williamson will bring an excitement, anticipation and fanfare that as mentioned that has not been seen since the introduction of James into the basketball spotlight 16 years ago. 

A player who athleticism and explosiveness is second to none. He has an electricity in the open floor that brought many Duke fans to their feet when he was on the fast break and more nearly every time finished that break with a thunderous, jaw-dropping, dynamite slam dunk. His vertical jump is so sensational that former Blue Devil and ESPN College Basketball analyst Jay Bilas said during Tuesday nights coverage that Williamson out-jumped Duke’s vertical leap device. Williamson along with that great athleticism that made him a dynamo in the open court and in the half court on drives to the hole, he has amazing court vision; has an uncanny ability to find open people; has an amazing basketball IQ; can play any position from forward to guard and is a solid defender.  

Along with the great skill set Williamson brought to the table as a collegiate this past season, he brings a relentlessness to where he never takes a play off and he is an exceptional teammate. 

That was on display at the Draft Lottery as Williamson sat stage side with his former Duke teammates and draft hopefuls in R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish. 

“It’s my will to win and whatever that team needs me to do, I’m going to be able to do it,” Williamson said to Taylor about what he will bring to whatever team drafts him. 

He added about what he and Davis can be together on the court if the Pelicans draft him, “Definitely the versatility. The ability to block shots and rebound, and I think just want to win.” 

The other positive for the Pelicans when they select Williamson in June’s draft is that he wants to play in the “Big Easy,” unlike Davis who wants to leave. 

That is especially pleasing if you are a Pelicans fan as there had been reports he would go back to Duke if either the Knicks or a big market NBA team did not get the No. 1 overall pick, especially since he has not signed yet with a sports agent. 

Williamson’s stepfather Lee Anderson put those rumors to rest by saying to ESPN’s Baton Rouge 104.5’s “Off the Bench,” “We’re excited. We’re excited about that.” 

“One thing Zion has always been taught is you accept the things you can’t change. You change the things you can change, and this is one of the things he had nothing to do with. It’s the process of the NBA, and certainly we’re excited about the ‘Crescent City’ down there in New Orleans. And you said about returning to Duke. You know, there’s been a lot of speculation but that is nothing we have even considered.”

Along with that will to win and wanting to play for the Pelicans if they select him in June, Williamson will also have to bring a work ethic and focus that will help him even in the toughest of times that he will face in the early stages of his NBA career. 

He will be entering the league at a time where everyone from television and radio analyst to random people on social media will have an opinion on him from his play on the court; to his actions off the hardwood; to his ability to lead. 

One person that knows what Williamson is about to face is the No. 1 overall pick in the 1985 draft, the first via the draft lottery in Hall of Famer of the New York Knicks Patrick Ewing, who would go on to make 11 All-Star appearances in his 15 seasons in the “Big Apple.” The current head coach of his alma mater Georgetown University is the franchise’s all-time leader in games played, points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. 

“The only thing I would tell him is continue to work, continue to grow” Ewing, who represented the Knicks at the Draft Lottery on Tuesday said to Taylor about the advice he would give to Williamson on how to succeed as a high-profile entry into the NBA. 

“Everybody’s anointing him, you know, the savor of which ever franchise he goes to. The same thing happened to me. So, just keep on working. Keep on believing in himself and keep on adding to his game.” 

“Right now, he’s skilled. He’s athletic. And that’s where a lot of people see his game, and the way to be a superstar at some point in his career is to keep on working and keep on adding to what God has blessed him with.”   

In a year where the Pelicans, who finished 33-49 this past season, after making it to the Western Conference Semifinals around this time last year getting the No. 1 overall pick and either having a player to play alongside Davis or having the air-apparent to build around puts the Pelicans in not only a better position moving forward but to dictate on their terms the direction where they want to go as a franchise. 

When the three-time All-NBA First Team selection, through as previously mentioned his agent asked for a trade to the Lakers it threw the franchise a major curve. Their best player, who had raised his game, especially the last two seasons but saw the team not improving around him wanted out and he wanted to go to a team that had another star to share the same desire he had to win. 

While it has been reported that Davis still wants to be traded, the Pelicans, led by Griffin are putting their best foot forward to show him that the best play for him to be is in the “Big Easy,” even though their chances of being a title contender are slim to none at the moment, the front office is doing what they can make the team better. 

What is also is in the Pelicans favor is that the Chicago, IL native has one year left on the five-year $145 million contract extension he signed on July 9. 2015. 

So, the Pelicans have things in their favor because they do not have to trade the two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection right away. They can keep him until the Feb. 2020 trade deadline. 

The other thing in the Pelicans favor is Griffin has negotiated with Paul in the past during Griffin’s time as the General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Paul’s client was James. Meaning, Griffin will not give in or be intimidated by any tactic that Paul tries and there is a level of respect the two have for one another. 

Going back to the Knicks, Suns and Cavaliers, it is rough that they missed out on the chance to select a player who would be a big draw for both in their home arenas and on the road. However, the Suns and Cavaliers cupboards are full in terms of talent and in terms of optimism going forward. 

In the case of the Suns, they brought stability to their franchise with the hire of new head coach Monty Williams earlier this month. 

He will bring a necessary presence, structure, discipline, and focus that should improve the young core of Devin Booker, NBA All-Rookie selection to be in DeAndre Ayton, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, De’Anthony Melton, and T.J. Warren. 

The Suns would be even better served if owner Robert Sarver allows the people within the organization to the coaching staff to the players to handle their business and not be a distraction or do any kind of medaling that is unnecessary.  

For the Knicks, as exciting as it would have been to have Williamson playing in Madison Square Garden for possibly the next 10-plus years, this off-season for them is about using the nearly $75 million in salary cap room to sign in free agency two-time NBA Finals MVP and 2014 Kia MVP Kevin Durant and perennial All-Star and 2016 NBA champion Kyrie Irving in free agency. 

They have young players that showed signs they can be great in rookies from this past season in Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson and second-year lead guard Dennis Smith, Jr., who was acquired in the Kristaps Porzingis deal a few months back. They will be able to bring in a great young prospect in the draft next month, possibly Barrett according to reports. 

“We are excited to have the third pick and are confident we will be able to add a great player to our talented young core, and the team that we are building,” Knicks’ President Steve Mills and General Manager Scott Perry said in a statement on Thursday. 

As bumped as fans that watched the draft from Slattery’s Midtown Pub in New York, NY, there is still hope for the Knicks to have a great off-season, which after the draft will turn to them getting a high-quality A-List star here in the “Big Apple” for head coach David Fizdale’s squad to go along with the young players and begin building a product that can finally be sustainable and can return to at least being a playoff contender. Once that occurs, the reality of bringing a championship to the “Big Apple” can then be realized. 

For the Cavaliers, it is simply about just building the foundation that will simply be competitive. 

Even if they won the No. 1 overall pick and had the chance to select Williamson, he alone could not raise them back from the ashes from where they were this past regular season. 

They began their off-season by choosing to be their new head coach John Beilein, formerly of Michigan. 

While the hiring of a coach that reached two Final Fours in nine NCAA Tournament appearances, garnering 18 wins in the Tournament since 2013-tied for the most in that span and winning four Big Ten titles in 12 seasons at Michigan is stellar, he is the third straight full-time hire that did not have any prior NBA head coaching experience. 

“So, if they want a guy that can develop talent and he’s brought in guys into this league, I think it’s great,” former Cavalier and now NBA media personality Richard Jefferson said on Monday’s edition of ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump.” “I don’t think he’s the guy for the future, and that’s not a disrespect but this is an interim job for him to develop young guys.”   

While not a lot is expected of the Cavaliers going into next season and even further at some point if you want to turn things around, you want to have a guy in the lead spot on the sidelines that you can picture being there long term. Rebuilding is hard and it takes a lot of out of a coaching staff, the front office, the players, and the fans. Great head coaches do not grow on trees, and while owner Dan Gilbert, a Michigan grad got the guy he wanted, sooner or later he will have to hire a head coach with experience that can them back to the top of the NBA mountain where they were just three seasons back led by James. 

The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery gave us a shocker. It brought life and hope back to the New Orleans Pelicans. It perhaps curved the so-called “tanking” idea that many teams have tried in recent years to get more ping-pong balls to get in better position to draft that franchise-changing prospect. At the end of the day though this Draft Lottery, which dates back to 1985 was teams being positioned to select a player they hope will raise them from the cellar to hopefully the mountain of the National Basketball Association. 

For this Draft Lottery, it is the Pelicans, who had who will have the opportunity to select that franchise altering prospect in Zion Williamson who possibly could be drafted and play for a city that wants him and he will be in a place that ABC’s “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts, who has family that lives in the “Big Easy” said, “He’s going to love it.” 

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 2/7/19 6 p.m. edition of NBATV's "Gametime Live," with Ro Parrish, Kenny Smith, Dennis Scott, and Tom Penn; 5/13/19 3 p.m. edition of “NBA: The Jump” with Rachel Nichols, Richard Jefferson, and Scottie Pippen; 5/14/19 www.nba.com story, “Pelicans Win NBA Draft Lottery;” 5/14/19 8 p.m. “NBA: The Jump: At the Draft Lottery,” on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Adrian Wojnarowski, Jay Williams, Jay Bilas, Zach Lowe, and Maria Taylor; 5/14/19 8:30 p.m. “2019 NBA Draft Lottery,” presented by State Farm on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Adrian Wojnarowski, Jay Williams, Jay Bilas, Zach Lowe, and Maria Taylor; 5/15/19 7 a.m. edition of ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” with Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, Michael Strahan, Ginger Zee, Amy Roback and Lara Spencer, with report from Paula Faris; 5/16/19 3 p.m. edition of “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Brian Windhorst, Richard Jefferson; www.espn.com/nba/standings/_/group/league; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018-19_Phoenix_Suns_season; and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Davis.