Sonics
Sonics get draft's 12th selection — again

By Percy Allen
Seattle Times staff reporter

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The Sonics, who blamed misfortune for missing the playoffs this season, weren't lucky enough to improve on their slim chances in yesterday's NBA draft lottery and attain a high selection.

Seattle, which had a 0.9 percent chance of getting the top pick, will select 12th for the third time in the past four years. The Sonics also have the 35th and 41st picks in the June 24 draft.

Orlando, which at 25 percent had the best chance of winning the lottery, captured the No. 1 position and must decide whether to select Emeka Okafor of Connecticut or Dwight Howard, who is considered the best of a record 13 high-school players to declare.

The Los Angeles Clippers, who had the fifth-best chance (10.5 percent) of nabbing the first pick, made the lottery's only upward move when they slid into the second spot.

Chicago had the second-worst record last year, but fell to No. 3, and the expansion Charlotte Bobcats were assured of the fourth pick. Washington, which had the third-best chance (15.7 percent) of picking first, slipped to No. 5.

The lottery, which took place in Secaucus, N.J., and was televised on ESPN, did not vary from the percentages for picks 6 through 14.

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

Last year, the Sonics used the 12th pick on Kansas forward Nick Collison, who missed the season because of shoulder surgeries. In 2001, they spent the No. 12 pick on forward Vladimir Radmanovic.

Speculation as to whom the Sonics might select includes players such as Stanford forward Josh Childress and Oregon forward Luke Jackson. The team will also consider a number of international and preps-to-pros players.

Note

• Sonics guards Ray Allen and Brent Barry were two of five players selected to the NBA's all-interview first team. Allen, who led all players with 30 votes, was chosen for the fourth consecutive year; Barry (16 votes) is a two-time selection.

The other first-team choices were the Indiana Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal, Steve Nash of the Dallas Mavericks and the Clippers' Elton Brand. The Memphis Grizzlies' Hubie Brown received the most votes (23) among coaches.

The second team: Karl Malone (Los Angeles Lakers), Rick Fox (Lakers), Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers), Sam Cassell (Minnesota Timberwolves), Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks) and coach Flip Saunders (Timberwolves).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

NBA draft order
First round
1.	Orlando
2.	L.A. Clippers
3.	Chicago
4.	Charlotte*
5.	Washington
6.	Atlanta
7.	Phoenix
8.	Toronto
9.	Philadelphia
10.	Cleveland
11.	Golden State
12.	Seattle
13.	Portland
14.	Utah
15.	Boston
16.	Utah (a)
17.	Atlanta (b)
18.	New Orleans
19.	Miami
20.	Denver
21.	Utah (c)
22.	New Jersey
23.	Portland (d)
24.	Boston (e)
25.	Boston (f)
26.	Sacramento
27.	L.A. Lakers
28.	San Antonio
29.	Indiana
* Expansion team; a-from New York through Phoenix; b-from Milwaukee through Denver and Detroit; c-from Houston; d-from Memphis; e-from Dallas; f-from Detroit.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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