On this day in 1997, the Boston Celtics flopped in that year’s Draft Lottery, ending up losing the top overall pick to the San Antonio Spurs despite having the highest odds — 36.3 percent — of landing the top pick in the 1997 NBA Draft.
The whiff was one of the more impactful bits of bad luck experienced by the team in its worst era in terms of success in club history.
The unlucky turn sent generational big man talent Tim Duncan to the Spurs, with Boston drafting Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer with the third and sixth picks of that draft, respectively.
23 years ago today the pingpong balls defied the Celtics in their quest for Tim Duncan. pic.twitter.com/nNC9UHH5fv
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) May 18, 2020