Gambling Odds Don't Pay as Palms Owners Miss Top NBA Pick
The Sacramento Kings, owned by the Maloof brothers, who also operate the Palms Casino in Las Vegas, had a twenty-five percent chance of getting the first pick in next month's NBA draft. But the Kings instead saw their fortune turn as bad as possible tonight, as the team slid to the fourth pick while the Los Angeles Clippers stole the top choice with a bit of gambling luck.
The Kings were guaranteed as owners of this year's worst record to pick no lower than fourth. Meanwhile, the Clippers, who as the third-worst team had a 17.7 percent chance at the prize, snuck into a spot which offers them a shot at redemption for years of frustration.
The Memphis Grizzlies will pick third, while Oklahoma City takes the third choice. The rest of the NBA lottery order, after the Kings at four, goes Washington, Minnesota, Golden State, New York, Toronto, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Charlotte, Indiana, and Phoenix.
The draft will take place June 25th, after this year's playoffs conclude. Blake Griffin of Oklahoma is considered the consensus best player and likely first pick.
The Clippers, however, have a history of screwing up sure things. The last time the team picked first, it took center Michael Olowakandi, who turned out to have a mediocre career.
Some basketball observers are predicting a better NBA career for Ricky Rubio, the talented Spanish teenager who caused US heads to turn during last year's Olympics, than for Griffin.
