Validated by Ernst and Young, presented by Nicholas Gilbert, and witnessed by several select members of local sports elite, the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the NBA world leaving the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery with the first and fourth overall selections in the upcoming draft.
With the two overall selections, the team had been given a 22.7 percent chance at landing the first-overall selection. Mathematically, the Cavaliers should have received the second and eighth selections overall – the selection received from the Los Angeles Clippers in return for Mo Williams, with a 2.8 percent chance of being the first overall leapfrogged the team’s own pick which had a 19.9 percent chance.
To be held on June 23 in Newark, New Jersey, general manager Chris Grant and the rest of the team’s front office will now be tasked with ensuring that the Wine and Gold land the pieces which they feel will best help right the ship – Grant has long said that the team is confident in their potential selections wherever they may fall.
It has been widely speculated that Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert will do what is necessary to better the team’s chances of improving between now and the exact time names are called with the Cavaliers logo on the backdrop, but for now, at least we know what cards the team has been dealt and Chris Grant can rest relatively easy.
Thank you, Los Angeles.
