Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

News

Do The Nets Have The Worst Luck Or What?

Jen Chung

Published May 19, 2010

Modified May 19, 2010

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Jen Chung

Published May 19, 2010

Modified May 19, 2010

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Fine, the NBA uses the weighted draft lottery system to ensure that teams don't purposely lose toward the end of the season to ensure a higher draft pick. So the Nets, with a 12-70 record, had a 25% chance of getting the number one pick and a 21.5% chance of getting the number two pick...and ended up with the number three pick (they had a 17.73% chance for that). New owner Mikhail Prokhorov shrugged it off, saying, "I’m sure we’re going to get a great player." The Washington Wizards got the number one pick, sending D.C. sports press and fans into a frenzy.

The Russian billionaire, who promised that the team will win a championship within five years, also said, “We don’t need to go to square one. We need to focus on putting together the strongest team we can get. A lot will depend on how the pieces of the puzzle fit together, but I’m confident we’ll have a great team next season.” NBA.com offers this perspective: "In the last 15 drafts, the No. 3 pick has produced two Rookies of the Year (Grant Hill - 1994, shared with Jason Kidd, and Pau Gasol - 2002), a Finals MVP (Chauncey Billups - 2004), a Sixth Man of the Year (Ben Gordon - 2005) and nine All-Stars (Hill, Gasol, Billups, Jerry Stackhouse, Carmelo Anthony, Baron Davis, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Deron Williams and Al Horford)."

This morning, Prokhorov had lunch with fellow billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg—as well as Nets investor Jay-Z and Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner—at Gracie Mansion. NY1 reports that "bagels were on the menu." And, FWIW, Shaquille O'Neal weighed in on the Nets' arena drama: "I think [the Prudential Center is] better than most arenas, I think it's one of the best arenas in the country. Hopefully they can stay there forever. I don't know what's going on with the Brooklyn situation, but it says a lot for the city of Newark."

Tagged

basketball

brooklyn

Bruce Ratner

jay-z

Mikhail Prokhorov

nets

sports

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

Are NJ schools unconstitutionally segregated? It's back to the courts to decide.

Mediation didn't resolve the years-old case. A ruling for the plaintiffs could upend how public schooling works in New Jersey.

Colleen O'Dea

Published Oct 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET

Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics

Because New Jersey is just trying to keep its people safe, here are your early links: Early voters get a spooky sticker, Tom Hanks returning to Broadway, a time capsule letter to the NYC mayor in 2026 and more.

James Ramsay

News

Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics

James Ramsay

Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says

Brittany Kriegstein

Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress

Walter Wuthmann

Jon Campbell

and

Brigid Bergin

Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors

Ryan Kost

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .