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NBA Draft Lottery 2017: Is it rigged?

By Tyler Watts

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) and Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) guard each other during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1985 Lottery Madness

The shenanigans and conspiracy theories have been around the since the beginning of the NBA Draft Lottery.  1985 was the first year the NBA instituted the lottery, and Patrick Ewing was the apple of all seven lottery team’s eyes.  Sports Illustrated wrote a fantastic piece about this conspiracy you can find here.

The NBA was struggling at this time and needed a lift.  They had it in Patrick Ewing who was destined to be a star, but to boost ratings and attendance figures he needed to be in a big market.  The New York Knicks needed to be his team and low and behold they win the lottery.

You can watch the video of this lottery below, and conspiracy theorists claim you can see the envelope has a bent corner as it heads into the lottery ball.  Check it out and judge for yourself.

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