NBA News Wire
Dr. J representing Sixers at lottery
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
The Philadelphia 76ers hope Dr. J will bring some luck to the team during Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery.
Special advisor and Sixers legend Julius Erving will represent the team at the lottery in New York. It will be broadcast live on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
“Dr. J is one of the most revered and legendary figures in the history of the Philadelphia 76ers and the National Basketball Association, so it is fitting that he represent us at the podium on this exciting night,” team CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement on Monday. “As we build for the future, we are thrilled to have a key part of our past with us to bring the team good luck during tomorrow night’s NBA Draft Lottery.”
The 76ers are hopeful of becoming the third franchise to go from the second-worst record to the top pick, a feat that would represent a repeat for Philadelphia. In 1996, the lottery pushed it up from the second spot and the 76ers drafted Allen Iverson first overall.
The Sixers would receive the New Orleans Pelicans’ first-round pick if it is outside the top five. Based on NBA draft models, the best chance for Philadelphia to wind up with two top-10 picks is if the Pelicans get the 10th selection and the 76ers fall to fourth. There is a nearly 28 percent chance of that outcome Tuesday.
Kansas wing Andrew Wiggins was widely considered to have been last year’s top pick had he been eligible to declare, and he is the frontrunner this year. Jayhawks teammate big man Joel Embiid and Duke’s Jabari Parker are also strong considerations depending on which team wins the No. 1 selection.
