The Cleveland Cavaliers look to put The Decision and a tough 2010-11 season behind them tonight during the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery. With two chances - thanks to the mid-season Mo Williams trade - the Cavaliers can hope that they can acquire two of the top prospects in the 2011 NBA Draft.
With their own set of ping pong balls, the Cavs have a 19.9% chance at landing the #1 Overall pick. Only Minnesota has better odds. Their second set of balls, thanks to the Clippers, gives them a 2.8% chance. A long-shot to be sure, but ask the Chicago Bulls, who turned a 1.7% chance into lottery gold when they won, and drafted NBA-MVP Derrick Rose #1 overall in 2008.
The Cavaliers have had mixed results in the Lottery. They won it all in 2003, of course, and selected LeBron James. In 1999, the Cavaliers had two lottery selections and chose PG Andre Miller with the #8 pick and Duke swingman Trajan Langdon at #11.
In 2001, the Cavaliers chose C DaSagana Diop at #8. In 2002, the Cavs made Dujuan Wagner their choice at #6. In 2004, their last foray into the NBA Lottery, the Cavaliers used the #10 pick on Luke Jackson.
Did I say mixed results? Aside from LeBron, and maybe Andre Miller, the Cavs have failed miserably in the lottery for much of the past 15 years. If the Wine and Gold are going to rebound, and fast, they need a little luck tonight - and they need to hit a home run in the Draft in June.