Checking in with Chris Paul: Draft Lottery Edition
May 23, 2006
The Hornets were unable to beat the significant odds at Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, failing to secure one of the top three choices. By claiming the 12th pick, New Orleans/Oklahoma City finished in its anticipated draft position. Hornets.com’s Dennis Rogers – who witnessed the actual lottery before the results were announced on ESPN – notes that during the ping-pong ball unveiling, the Toronto Raptors actually had the correct number combination for BOTH the first and second overall picks. Toronto was awarded the No. 1 choice, followed by Chicago in the second slot and Charlotte third.
Rogers accompanied Hornets point guard and Rookie of the Year Chris Paul to Secaucus, N.J. for the draft lottery and asked Paul for his thoughts on the NBA draft.
Rogers: What was the feeling like for you, being drafted?
Paul: It was one of the best feelings of my life. It was great, you know, being in New York City, with my family in such a major setting.
Rogers: What did you take away from that day in terms of talking to the other guys, being there, knowing you were going to be a lottery pick?
Paul: We talked about the expectations. And, we talked about how you get to play basketball every day for the rest of your life, for as long as you can. We get to play basketball and take care of our families.
Rogers: What advice would you have for any potential lottery picks this year?
Paul: Just coming in, play as hard as you can. Don’t listen to all the supposed experts. I was at home watching this lottery last year, and you hear different people say different things about you and what you can’t do, but you know what you have to get better at, so you just have to go out there and play as hard as you can.
Rogers: And the suit? Any particular advice on what to wear?
Paul: Nothing too loud [laughs]. Don’t draw too much attention to yourself. If you don’t draw too much attention, a lot more people will notice you.
The Hornets were unable to beat the significant odds at Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery, failing to secure one of the top three choices. By claiming the 12th pick, New Orleans/Oklahoma City finished in its anticipated draft position. Hornets.com’s Dennis Rogers – who witnessed the actual lottery before the results were announced on ESPN – notes that during the ping-pong ball unveiling, the Toronto Raptors actually had the correct number combination for BOTH the first and second overall picks. Toronto was awarded the No. 1 choice, followed by Chicago in the second slot and Charlotte third.
Rogers accompanied Hornets point guard and Rookie of the Year Chris Paul to Secaucus, N.J. for the draft lottery and asked Paul for his thoughts on the NBA draft.
Rogers: What was the feeling like for you, being drafted?
Paul: It was one of the best feelings of my life. It was great, you know, being in New York City, with my family in such a major setting.
Rogers: What did you take away from that day in terms of talking to the other guys, being there, knowing you were going to be a lottery pick?
Paul: We talked about the expectations. And, we talked about how you get to play basketball every day for the rest of your life, for as long as you can. We get to play basketball and take care of our families.
Rogers: What advice would you have for any potential lottery picks this year?
Paul: Just coming in, play as hard as you can. Don’t listen to all the supposed experts. I was at home watching this lottery last year, and you hear different people say different things about you and what you can’t do, but you know what you have to get better at, so you just have to go out there and play as hard as you can.
Rogers: And the suit? Any particular advice on what to wear?
Paul: Nothing too loud [laughs]. Don’t draw too much attention to yourself. If you don’t draw too much attention, a lot more people will notice you.
