CHICAGO — Michael Winger didn’t move. No smile. No fist pump. No Alvin Gentry–esque whoop. Just a thumbs up and a short nod at Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president of league operations, after Spruell congratulated the Washington Wizards’ president of basketball operations on securing the No. 1 overall pick. The first sign of excitement came minutes later, when an NBA official handed Winger the winning ping-pong balls. “We keep these?” asked Winger. “Very cool.”
The NBA held its annual draft lottery on Sunday, inside a makeshift ballroom in the Navy Pier. I was among the 16 media members invited into the room to witness the drawing, one of the many safeguards the league has in place to protect the integrity of the process. No phones are allowed in the drawing room. No electronics of any kind. Anyone entering goes through TSA-level screening. Before going in, all are encouraged to use the restroom. Once that door shuts, it will be nearly two hours before it reopens.
