On the clock: Magic get first pick in NBA Draft

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Philadelphia 76ers brought one of Smarty Jones' horseshoes to the NBA Draft Lottery.

It wasn't good enough because the Orlando Magic had the best charm of all -- Pat Williams.

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Without the benefit of a rabbit's foot or horseshoe, Williams won his fourth draft lottery Wednesday night, giving the Magic the right to make the first pick in next month's draft with the Los Angeles Clippers picking second and Chicago third.

Williams also won the lottery in 1992 and '93 with Orlando, and in 1986 with Philadelphia. The '92 pick was Shaquille O'Neal.

"They rolled the kid out again, dusted off the suit and said 'Go out and win one for the Gipper,'" said Williams, the senior vice president of the Magic.

Unlike a year ago, the draft doesn't have a clear No. 1 pick like LeBron James.

Williams didn't seem to care.

Magic senior vice president Pat Williams celebrates Orlando's draw in the lottery.(AP)

"It's huge and we're not sitting here with Shaq or Michael Jordan, it appears," Williams said. "Ninety percent of the time, I think it's safe to say, that number one picks turn out to be very good players. More than anything, it gives our franchise a lift. We struggled through a really difficult period of time."

In a season where Tracy McGrady battled injuries, the Magic won a league-low 21 games.

Connecticut center Emeka Okafor and Atlanta high school star Dwight Howard have been mentioned prominently as possible top picks, but each has drawbacks.

Okafor has battled a back problem and Howard is like any youngster -- one never knows.

Orlando came into the lottery with the best chance to win with 250 out of 1,0000 chances.

However, the odds have tended to work against the favorite. When Cleveland won the lottery last year, it was only the second favorite to win since New Jersey in 1990.

The Magic also had a Triple Crown threat working against them. Philadelphia president and general manager Billy King turned for luck to local hero Smarty Jones, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The 76ers were hoping the horseshoe would jump them up from No. 9.

The strategy stumbled out of the gate.

"I think that Smarty Jones horseshoe may have cost them," Williams said. "You're better off with ping pong balls and the more the better. Something happened with that horseshoe. I'm rooting. I hope he wins the Belmont. Do you think we have jinxed Smarty Jones?"

None of the lottery long shots came in.

The teams that were supposed to pick in the sixth through 14th spots in the draft remained in that order.

Washington slipped two spots to No. 5. opening the door for the Los Angeles Clippers to take it all.

The expansion Charlotte Bobcats were slotted into No. 4.

The final three envelopes opened by deputy commissioner Russ Granik belonged to Chicago, the Clippers and Orlando.

The Bulls, who had the second best chance at winning, had their card opened first, giving them the third pick.

Granik then revealed the Clippers' logo, and Williams celebrated, pumping a fist in the air and then raising both arms.

Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said the jump helped make up for Clippers' struggles down the stretch.

"All I can say is we should come away with a good player," Dunleavy said.

Atlanta will have the sixth choice and will be followed by Phoenix, Toronto, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle, Portland and Utah.

A record 94 players have applied for early entry into this year's draft, 21 more than last year.

The draft will be held on June 24 in New York City.