Friday 5 Pack: Final Four Weekend & Sixers Lottery Hopes

Zo previews a weekend in hoops that Sixers fans should actually maybe be excited about.

1. What if the Sixers don’t get No. 1 or 2, and land at 3?

Having a top-three pick in this very special draft is still a godsend. You could argue that it would make Daryl Morey more likely to listen to offers that contain more established players and I would agree probably — but if you’re landing top three, even top five here, you’re golden.

2. Who’s your favorite non-Flagg/Harper/Bailey guy?

Derik Queen, 100%. The Sixers would ruin him, so I feel selfish wishing that on him — but man, he’s got it all, including two non-surgically repaired feet and knees. If not him, I’m absurdly high on Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears and Texas’ Tre Johnson.

3. Do you think the NBA will truly find an equitable and fair way to fix tanking?

Yes, but maybe not in Adam SIlver’s tenure. I think it will take more than what we’re seeing, a canon event even — something so blatantly tank-ish that the sports world stops and says just what the fuck is going on in the NBA — for a true change to take place.

4. Is there another worst-case scenario aside from the obvious, pick conveying to the Thunder?

Honestly, for me it would be the front office getting the pick but not having a clear strategy going into this draft and subsequently this offseason. Can’t stress enough the gift horse that would exist if you walk away from lottery night with a top five pick. Not a complete Mulligan — but really damn close to it, all things considered.

5. What are your picks for Final Four weekend and what player is going to make the most noise?

I’m a man of my word (Dark Knight Joker voice) and I’m sticking with my original pick of Florida and Houston advancing to Monday night’s championship game and the gators becoming champs. My MVP of this weekend is going to be the man himself, Walter Clayton Jr., who stands to make himself a lot of money if he balls out like he’s been doing in previous rounds.