Backstage With Bernie - Lottery Reaction

Things went according to plan for the Bobcats at the NBA Draft Lottery, as they stayed in the same spot they started and will be making the third overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft on June 28 in New York City.

For the most part, things stayed status quo in this lottery with the exception of at the top, where Toronto moved up from the fifth spot to grab the top selection, followed by Chicago (from New York), the Bobcats, Portland (who entered with the most chances to come away with No. 1) and Atlanta.

All Bobcats fans had to do was take one look at the smile on General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff’s face as he entered the press interview room at Charlotte Bobcats Arena following the Lottery to know things couldn’t have gone much better.

BERNIE BICKERSTAFF
(Opening statement) I’m happy with the third pick. That’s where we were, and as things started to fall in sequence, I started to pace. I think when Atlanta and Portland fell into five and four, we knew something good had happened. As I’ve said, from 1-6 I thought we’d get a good player – at 1-3 we’ll get an excellent basketball player… if we keep the pick.

(On if they keep the pick) I look at last year when Portland moved ahead of us at three, that was a pretty critical pick. In fact, it was the turning point in the draft last year. Everybody was moving to get that pick. But I think this is a draft where the beauty will be in the eyes of the beholder. I think this is a very deep draft. I don’t think there is any guy that is really dominant in this draft, but I think there is some talent. I just got back from Italy and the kid (Andrea Bargnani) is very good – (Tyrus) Thomas, (Adam) Morrison, (Rudy) Gay – if I forget a name it’s because of my age and has nothing to do with leaving the talent out. There are just some terrific players who I think can contribute to our basketball team.

(On how many players the Bobcats will bring in) I think what we have to do is go a little further than normal just in case we want to move back. There are some guys on the back end who are pretty good basketball players, and if we should decide that we can get something in return for moving back, then I think we have to make sure we cover our bases and do our due diligence in that situation. A lot of teams were waiting to see what happened tonight. We had some conversations with Thomas’ guy tonight, and everyone wanted to wait and see what happened. We’ve got some people lined up. I think Gay might be the first one coming in on the 31st (of May).

(On how many guys he considers candidates with the third pick) I’d say eight to nine.

(On what was going through his mind when he knew they were in the top three) That I’m fine. Whatever happened from that point, I was fine. I was comfortable at six in terms of getting a talent. I wanted to get past six, past five and then four, but from three on down, it didn’t really matter to me.

(On if this is a draft where it’s a blessing not to have the first pick) From a selfish standpoint, you talk about No. 1 because of leverage, but I think three, as in last year’s draft, could be the turning point in this draft.

(On if he’s pleased because the Bobcats have options) I’m pleased because I think we’re going to get a talent. The leverage is a sidebar in terms of that. I’m confident that we’ll get a talent.

(On how far he would consider dropping down in the first round) That would depend on the guys we bring in, how we feel and what we can get in return – whether it’s a pick or a young player. It’s a deep draft with guys like (Rodney) Carney, (Marcus) Williams or a shooter like (J.J.) Reddick, so there are some possibilities there that are good, if we can get something in return to do it. That’s why we have to do our due diligence.

GERALD WALLACE
(On whether he brought any lucky charms) Yeah, I got a couple of things I’m going to keep to myself. I’m not going to use them anymore because it didn’t work. It was a great lottery. Congratulations to the Toronto Raptors. We got the third pick and we are just going to have to make the best of it.

(On whether he would consider this a deep draft) I think this is a deep draft with a lot of potential. A lot of these guys have the potential to have a long career in the NBA. There are no franchise changing players, but I think there is a great core group of guys that can help a lot of teams out.