The NBA Draft Lottery is now less than a week away. Various combinations of numbers will now dictate the futures of several NBA franchises. Because of the out-sized importance one player can have on a team’s fortunes, a fluke win can pry open a competitive window thought nailed shut. A bad beat can extend a team’s long walk in the wilderness almost indefinitely.
Aside from the stretch run of a playoff game, the end of the NBA Draft Lottery is the most exciting five minutes in the league. Yes, it’s that important.
Still, importance and justice are often two words that are pushed far away from each other.