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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz needed a gift from above to even have a chance at a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Unfortunately for the Jazz, the Golden State Warriors kept their No. 7 pick and the Jazz were left without a first round pick in a deep draft. But it was the selection of the No. 1 pick that was controversial for many fans of the NBA.
Entering the NBA draft lottery Wednesday night, the Charlotte Bobcats, who won seven games last season, had a 25 percent chance of securing the No. 1 pick. However, it was the NBA-owned New Orleans Hornets — 13.7 percent chance — who moved up and secured the No. 1 pick and likely Kentucky star Anthony Davis.
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The pick had many questioning whether there was foul play, even for those who generally do not buy into the conspiracy theories about the NBA. One team executive told Yahoo! Sports: "It's such a joke that the league made the new owners be at the lottery for the show. The league still owns the Hornets. Ask their front office if new owners can make a trade right now. They can't. This is a joke."
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jonny Flynn tweeted "The fix is in" following the selection of the No.1 pick.
The league sold the Hornets to the New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, but many still believe there was a "fix" on the draft lottery. Tell us what you think.
Is the BYU/Utah rivalry going to die?
#Utahpoll
Conference realignment has shifted the climate of college football, with many conferences looking for an edge in the ever-changing environment. Many conferences are making deals to secure games, while others are struggling to shake out a viable, competitive schedule. Even in Utah, where the BYU/Utah rivalry is one of the most highly anticipated events each year, is being threatened.
Recently, Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham said he would be open to abandoning the yearly rivalry game in favor of an open schedule, moving to an every other year basis or once every few years. Currently, as a member of the Pac-12, the Utes only have three out of conference games, making it hard to consistently schedule an out-of- conference opponent. However, BYU is not held to the same standards as an independent, but relies upon games to fill their schedule.
As a child, I grew up watching these games, looking forward to the never-ending trash talk and the competitive game. I even sat in a snowstorm to watch these two teams play, with the outcome a measly 3-0 score in the Utes' favor. Times have changed, but not for the thousands of fans who look forward to that game. Yeah, I know, the BYU/Boise State and Utah/Colorado rivalries are heating up, but what does this mean for the state of Utah?
Should the Utes look to schedule more out-of-conference opponents and play BYU occasionally or should the rivalry remain on a yearly basis till the end of time?
Justin Combs gets paid
Justin Combs, the son of Sean Combs — hip hop artist Diddy — was recently given an athletic scholarship to UCLA as a defensive back. It was a $54,000 scholarship offer to play for the Bruins. However, many Californians are upset, saying Combs has more than enough money to pay for college and the offer should be revoked.
Despite Combs' family wealth, scholarships to play for a university are not contingent upon family wealth, for the good or the bad. Is it wrong for an athlete of wealthy parents to accept a scholarship offer? Should he give it to an athlete that is in more financial need?
