were gonna have the number 9 pick at the end of the day, so dont get ya hopes up

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/44585.htm

KNICKS NEED LOTTO LUCK

By MARC BERMAN

When Isiah Thomas took over 17 months ago and within two weeks traded away two first-round picks and two European prospects in the Stephon Marbury blockbuster, he said the Knicks weren't into rebuilding and he wasn't relying on ping-pong balls to determine the course of the club's future.

Tonight, Thomas, who's thrown the rebuilding word around the past few months, will rely on ping-pong balls to determine the course of the Knicks' future. Thomas will not be in attendance tonight in Secaucus, presumably to concentrate on his month-long search for a coach,and likely because he does not want to be linked with lotteries.

So John Starks, the ex-Knick shooting guard now in community relations, gets the honor of sitting on the dais, as the Knicks attempt to beat the odds. If the Knicks win it, they would select 7-foot Utah center Andrew Bogut.

The Knicks have a 3.5-percent chance of winning the lottery and a 12.5-percent chance of moving into the top three with a crack at North Carolina freshman swingman Marvin Williams.

More than likely (70 percent chance) they'll stay put at their seed — No. 8. In a worst-case scenario, the Knicks have a 17-percent chance of sliding to nine or 10.

The Knicks go into the draft needing a center or wing man. Thomas has proven to be a savvy draft man— his pick of swingman Trevor Ariza at No. 43 last summer the latest example.

But there is a dearth of quality centers outside Bogut. The 7-3 Lithiuanian, Martynas Andriuskevicius has piqued Thomas' interest but he's raw and 19. Moving up in mock drafts is Arizona 7-foot center Channing Frye but eight is a stretch.

As far as swingmen, two high schoolers, the super athletic 6-8 Gerald Green of Houston and Martell Webster of Seattle are potential top-10 picks. Spanish big man Fran Vazquez and Brazilian shotblocker Tiago Splitter could be possibilities. Pittsburgh's Chris Taft is the top college power forward.

"I think we can get someone at eight who can help us," Thomas said. The Knicks also have the last pick in the first round, at 30, and could package it to move up a few slots.

*

A report out of Orlando says Penny Hardaway is interested in a buyout so he can re-sign with Orlando. Hardaway has one more year on his contract and could a very tradable commodity this summer or at February's trading deadline, so the Knicks would need to save a good chunk of the $14.5M owed.

[Edited by - Rich on 05/24/2005 02:27:41]

My Predictions for the Lottery Order:
1 - Atlanta
2 - Charlotte
3 - NY Knicks
4 - New Orleans
5 - Utah
6 - Portland
7 - Milwaukee
8 - Toronto
9 - Golden State
10 - LA Lakers
11 - Orlando
12 - LA Clippers
13 - Charlotte (from Cleveland)

it's about time the Knicks got some good luck for a change!

I'd trade the #3 for the 8 and 16 in a heartbeat. I'd get Taft and petro or something like that. We don't need Marvin Williams or Chris Paul and the guys we want will be around at 8 and 16.

My Predictions for the Lottery Order:
1 - Atlanta
2 - NY Knicks
3 - Charlotte
4 - LA Clippers
5 - Utah
6 - Portland
7 - Milwaukee
8 - Toronto
9 - Golden State
10 - LA Lakers
11 - Orlando
12 - New Orleans


13 - Charlotte (from Cleveland)

it's about time the Knicks got some good luck for a change!
[/quote]

N.Y will trade with Charlotte and endup with 2 of Charlotte's first round picks....Charlotte wants either Williams or Green, but they want Williams the most...If we pick him, we can always trade him to Charlotte for their picks..

How are the CLips getting the 4th spot?

Posted by diderotn:


My Predictions for the Lottery Order:
1 - Atlanta
2 - NY Knicks
3 - Charlotte
4 - LA Clippers
5 - Utah
6 - Portland
7 - Milwaukee
8 - Toronto
9 - Golden State
10 - LA Lakers
11 - Orlando
12 - New Orleans


13 - Charlotte (from Cleveland)

it's about time the Knicks got some good luck for a change!

Posted by Pharzeone:

If a team moves up that should be behind you, you get bump back, like someone cutting in line. I guess he has NY and the Bobcats bumping LA.

[Edited by - pharzeone on 05/24/2005 15:06:56]

Yeah, but the CLips have the 12th pick right now. Its impossible for them to end up 4th.

Official Draft order (pre-lottery)
1 Atlanta
2 Charlotte
3 New Orleans
4 Utah
5 Portland
6 Milwaukee
7 Toronto
8 New York
9 LA Lakers
10 Golden State
11 Orlando
12 LA Clippers
13 Charlotte
14 Minnesota

I am posting for the Knicks to exceed expectations in tonight's lottery drawing. My good karma lately will make it happen. Zygi Wilf (Minnesota Vikings heir apparent) was my college roommate at FDU Madison from 1969-1971!!!!!!!!!
Go Knicks...bring home a top three pick!