Lottery Time

Well, after a 10-2 vote in favor of a rookie lottery the wheels are in motion to have the balls rollin' next weekend. Either Saturday or Sunday (24th or 25th) I plan to get the lottery going. I will need a couple of witnesses to the event and think I can post the results either on the JBL website or here on the Chronicles (or both).

I wasn't able to locate ping pong balls but did find a dozen white plastic golf balls for $2.00 bucks. So, dimples and all, I have written the team name of all 12 JBL teams on each ball (remember we only have 12 teams now that Belgrade has folded up shop).

I'm still tying to figure out what I can use to shake, toss, turn, jiggle, wiggle, twist, and pop those balls around before selecting them one by one. I may let Ryan do the honours. He'll have no idea the significance of the moment - but maybe one day he'll be running this thing when we are all said and done.

I know it doesn't really feel much like NBA time right now. The NFL season is underway and the NBA is locked out and there is no end in sight. But, the JBL is fun and having a rookie draft and having guys thinking about their JBL teams might ease the paid of knowing that it doesn't look like we'll be holding our annual JBL draft on the 3rd Saturday in October. Think about that for a moment. For 19 of the last 20 years, that 3rd Saturday has hosted the JBL Auction. It's been held on my birthday (23rd) and Trev's birthday (26th) yet somehow we're always there for the draft. This could (likely) be just the 2nd time that the JBL draft isn't hosted on that night. Sad. Very sad.

I admit I haven't done much in terms of preparation for the NBA season as it just doesn't look like there will be one very soon. Throw in the fact that for the first time ever the Golden Showers team has just one keeper and I don't have very many tough decisions ahead of me. Kevin Love is coming back to Golden barring any beach volleyball ACL tears.

I am excited about the rookie draft. I think it will be fun. The lottery, just because it's a lottery has some drama. Once the order is determined some guy's will begin to evaluate their position and who might be available at that spot and whether they want to draft him at that price or consider trading up or down in the rookie draft.

By October 1st, all JBL teams must reduce their rosters down to the maximum number of keepers available to them. A number of teams have several cuts still to make (myself included). Then, once all those cuts are made, we'll start the rookie draft on October 1st and work our way through 12 rookie picks. And I definitely think there is some homework to do on the rookies as I don't see the NBA order being the same as the JBL rookie order based on potential playing time for some of these kids. It will be interesting to see what order we pick in and how many trades will be made. I think some teams willl trade down while others will want to move up and try to grab Irving. If he is the #1 pick his JBL salary will be just $15 bucks. Remember guys like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins both went for waaaay more than that last season. There is value to be had here and whoever lands the #1 rookie pick is going to be really, really glad they have the chance to land Irving (or whoever the feel is the best fantasy player available for $15 bucks).

I'm excited to see what other moves October 1st brings. That date is now essentially the start of the 2011/12 JBL season. Roster limits go out the door. If you could only protect 2 players for next season based on last year's standings - it's now 'next season'. In other words, if I wanted to turn Kevin Love into 4 players - I can do that. Will there be any blockbuster JBL trades in October. I doubt it. With no NBA season on the horizon I just don't see anyone making any moves. But never say never. You never know.

Anyways, that's all for me. I miss the JBL prep that I would normally be doing. I'll have to settle for rookie draft reading. Which, I have to say, is an exciting new part of the JBL. I hope this works out well and everyone enjoys it. The next thing to figure out will be how to do the lottery next season??? I'm all ears for your ideas and suggestions on that matter...