Why bother when it's gonna be rigged for the Knicks anyways?
/Bill Simmons

It all depends on how the ping pong balls are shuffled. Presentation makes all the difference.

The Greek put himself at risk when he started dealing with Sobotka and the rest of those stevedore union types.

Tim Donaghy may know which ball will be frozen for this year's draft lottery.

So what kind of odds can I get on Bird screwing up the Pacer's pick?

I wish Isiah was still here. He would absolutely have paid extra for the multiplier.

Based purely on franchise personnel with extensive gambling histories, I'm putting everything I own on the Bobcats.

What are the odds of Elgin Baylor receiving the Lifetime Lottery Achievement Award?

Odds that Stern plants a random WNBA player to represent a team - 2:1
Odds that the random WNBA player will illicit a "yes" from the commentariat - 2000:1

The NBA shouldn't gripe. The D-League uses scratch off tickets.

@Doyle McPoyle: Damn, but do I miss that show.

@Doyle McPoyle: But the genius of it is... He's not even Greek.

Bet the farm on someone wearing a zoot suit and fedora.

@Hank Scorpio-Steinbrenner: I don't recall exactly what the odds were, but they were similar to betting on the possibility of water being wet.

"We suppose an event that relies entirely on mathematics would inevitably be wagered on..."

Vladimir Voevodsky cost me my house when he won the 2002 Fields Medal. Bastard.

Gambling problem? I said I had a drinking problem, goddamnit!

@Hank Scorpio-Steinbrenner: You're right and now I'm sad. Jerk.

Wesley Snipes: "Bet it on black!"
Bookkeeper: "Uhh..."

I hope at least one team will send a player, and that player will be unfamiliar enough with the lottery that he will either celebrate wildly when his team gets screwed, or vice versa.

@FredGarvin: Somebody needs to put together a gallery of Elgin Baylor draft lottery outfits over the years, it would be pure entertainment.

I hear Reilly's taking a few days off to scout the oddsmaker. He has to make sure he's fully informed.

threadjack

Boston College hockey superstar Nathan Gerbe signs with the Sabres!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

/threadjack

@Hank Scorpio-Steinbrenner: And can i get the same odds on him trading said pick for Al Harrington?

Two horse posts in a row?

I'm putting all my money on the Knicks.

Those crazy Maloof brothers will do anything for a buck.

@Card_Chronicle: Sam Vincent crapped out.

@Spors Gratia Sportis: It's not so much my temper as it is my drinkin'

@Carmen McFanzone: You mean like how Brandon Roy looked like he didnt really know what happened last year until after he got the handshake from Stern?

/still slightly bitter Celtics fan

@BruschisBrewsky: And flipping him 4 months later for 2 white boys and Ike Diogu.

@BruschisBrewsky:

I guess, but I'm more perplexed by how a Celtics fan can be bitter at the moment.

Meh. Millions of people bet on shuffling ping-pong balls every week. It's called PowerBall.

@BruschisBrewsky: We should send Brandon back to win the lottery again.

/still enthused Blazer fan

I have a gambling solution, thank you.

@Card_Chronicle: MJ was at the Derby -- of course -- but no mention of his suspension from the Association, in '93. Odd.

With the first pick of the 2008 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select...Yollllllaaaaaaanda Vega!!

No truth to the rumor that Illinois is considering making this legal as a means to "fund education*"...yet.

*offer patronage jobs

"or if you just don't find the shuffling of ping-pong balls as thrilling as perhaps you should, worry not."

NBA Lottery Bingo Cards could likewise ramp-up the excitement.

@Jews For Purple Jesus: It depends on whether I'm watching in HD or not.

@Carmen McFanzone: No, not bitter, just slightly bitter, the angst i felt that day will probably last either about 5 years or until they win a championship, whichever comes first.

Hell I still get mad watching Duncan play for the Spurs, to give you a reference point.

@Carmen McFanzone: The Celtics fans haven't gotten over Tim Duncan.

I know I'm not supposed to admit this, but I went to a Sports Guy book signing a few years ago wearing a Spurs shirt, and he signed it: "To [suntastic], Thanks for stealing Duncan from us! -Bill Simmons"

@Carmen McFanzone:
@BruschisBrewsky:

See? My point exactly!

Seriously though, it's the Knicks or Bulls. There's no way this doesn't happen.

What's the vig?

@muggsybogues: Not the Heat? Team Flash Wade with Beasley -- that has no appeal to the commish?

@A Pimp Named DaveR: Nirvana producer, Garbage drummer.

I think I'm STILL hungover from last year's "OMFG we got Oden!1!!!1!!1!" party.

Can I bet on Eight belles to get second?