Behind the Lottery Scenes

Sights, sounds and a few afterthoughts from the NBA draft lottery in Secaucus, New Jersey.

-Andy Elisburg, the Heat's senior vice president for basketball operations, said he changed his approach heading into Tuesday's lottery after two his two previous visits failed to land Miami a top-two pick. This time, Elisburg arrived three days early, stayed over the bridge in New York City instead of at the Secaucus Embassy Suites, and drowned himself in five Broadway shows over three days.

In his previous trips to the lottery, Elisburg showed up the day of the event and stayed at the hotel across the street from NBA Entertainment studios. Miami ended up with its highest draft pick in history. Now, it must decided whether to use the No. 2 pick on Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose or package the eventual pick in a draft-day trade on June 26.

"I figured if you change the routine, you change the outcome," Elisburg said backstage in a locked and guarded room moments after the Heat landed the No. 2 pick. "I learned a long time ago that there are a certain amount of things you can control - and (the lottery) isn't one of them. But this was our time."

-Attending the lottery wasn't the only team-oriented business Heat guard Dwyane Wade will tend to this week. Wade departed Secaucus after the lottery to return to Chicago, where he is scheduled to meet Wednesday with Team USA basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo. Wade will give Colangelo a status update on the health of his left knee following three weeks of extensive rehab.

Wade said he recently updated national team coach Mike Krzyzewski on his conditioning. Wade said Tuesday the goal is still to work his surgically-repaired knee into shape in time for USA team training camp in July in advance of the Beijing Olympics. There is a chance that Wade could be replaced on the 12-man roster in favor another player - possibly Chris Paul - if his knee is not ready in time.

"I'm meeting with Jerry as soon as I get back from here, and I've talked to Coach K. already," Wade said. "His main thing is my health and to make sure I'm doing good. He also talked to my trainer, Tim Grover in Chicago, and we're all on the same page. All I can do is continue to get stronger and leave the decision up to them."

- Nearly a month after announcing his retirement from coaching, Pat Riley apparently has no regrets. His appearance at the lottery came as surprise, which left him in the spotlight most of the night. Riley spent nearly 30 minutes at one point chatting and sharing laughs and stories in a circle of execs that included Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy, Knicks new coach Mike D'Antoni, NBA commissioner David Stern and Knicks president Donnie Walsh.

"The first time I stepped down, I thought it was going to be permanent, but it wasn't," Riley later said. "But I'm pretty sure this time, after 25 years, that I've had enough of coaching."

- Jay Z might be the MVP of the rap game right now, but he wins The Most Uncomfortable Executive In The Room award for his appearance at Tuesday's lottery. Usually smooth on the mic, Jay responded as if he were caught off guard and unprepared to answer questions about the draft as part owner of the Nets. Still, he tried to put a good spin on his first lottery experience.

"I'm from a neighborhood in Brooklyn, and to come this far and do something like that, it's just a fantastic experience," he said. "It's one of many accomplishments I'm proud of."

- Earlier Tuesday, Kansas State forward Michael Beasley did an interview with ESPN and was asked which team he has heard from the most, and where he'd prefer to end up.

“I just want to go to a team where we can win and I can fit in real good," Beasley said. "I hear all over the country that Miami (is most interested), I hear New York. But we’ll just see how it plays out."

Comments

[911 was an Inside Job]

Sa,weeet! yeaah boooy...2nd pick. we will take it!!! finally some talent around Dwayne.

The Bulls will take Beasley and D. Rose will be playing with D. Wade.

Rose
Wade
Wright
Marion
FA Center

9/11 was an inside job

checkout wtc7.net watch the collapse videos

learn the truth

[tedhill]

Rose is probably better but I like what Beasley will give us. Our "Big 3" would be more balanced with front court and back court scoring and also with perimeter oriented and post oriented offense. Hopefully Zo will come back and all he will need to do is grab rebounds and defend.