I am an avid NBA basketball fan, and tonight was the night of the NBA draft lottery. The Cleveland Cavaliers won the lottery to earn the right to pick first in the 2011 NBA draft. Normally for the draft lottery, a team sends a high ranking executive, a coach or a former or current NBA player to represent their respective team. The Sacramento King sent Kevin Johnson, a former player and the current mayor of Sacramento who spearheaded the task of keeping Sacramento Kings, the Sacramento Kings. The Washington Wizards sent John Wall, last years number one pick who had a pretty decent season. The Goldenstate Warriors were represented by a member of their new ownership, Joe Lacob. Michael Jordan's Bobcats were represented by their new coach Paul Silas. The script of characters goes on. There were no big surprises or anything out of the ordinary.
With one exception
The Cleveland Cavaliers did not follow the script. Representing the wine and gold, a fourteen year old boy took the podium. This extraordinary young man was Nick Gilbert, the son of owner. Unlike most kids his age, Nick has gone through a lifetime of battles with cancer. He was born with a rare nerve disorder neurofibromatosis. This disorder abbreviated NF causes cancerous tumors to grow anywhere in the body at any given time. Hopefully, this event helped raise awareness for this condition and a cure if found. Dan Gilbert calls his son his "hero". He has fought this life threatening disease his entire life and so far has come out on top. And tonight Nick was not only a hero to his father but also to the thousands of Cavalier fans around the world who have been grieving since the LeBron James saga. In addition to the first overall pick, the draft pick acquired from the LA Clippers in the Mo Williams/Baron Davis trade which was projected to be the 8th overall pick turned out to be the 4th overall pick. The NBA gods and David Stern's Ping Pong balls were kind to the Cavs today.
This draft could mark the resurgence of the Cavaliers. The organization is primed to make some power moves. As the old saying goes, the ball is in their court. The Draft will inject some new life into this mediocre at best team. Furthermore, the Cavs in possession of a large trade exception which sets them up nicely to acquire a max contract type player and with the salary cap likely shrinking, they are in good shape. Whether it be Duke's Kyrie Irving or Arizona's Derrick Williams or somebody else, it is time for some good change in Cleveland. Let's hope that the front office doesn't make any terribly bad decisions or that the NBA locks out this summer! It is time for Cleveland to get over LeBron "insert negative nickname" James. (Personally, my favorite is LeTraitor.)
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