NBA Draft lottery 2020

 Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers did not have good luck this draft lottery- falling from #2 to #5.  Last year, that was not good- I really wanted Zion Williamson (who went #1 to New Orleans) or Ja Morant (who went #2 to Minnesota).  Instead the Cavs drafted Darius Garland, who is a work in process.  I can't get a read on his ceiling as a player.

This year, the draft is a muddle- a combination of COVID cancelling the NCAA tournament and just an apparent lack of a franchise type player.  I've seen 5-7 players in the mock draft going #1 (now going to the Minnesota Timberwolves).  The last draft like this was 2013, which was a disaster for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  They drafted Anthony Bennett with the #1 pick, and he flamed out of the league quickly.

I think the Cavaliers need to play it safe- they have young talent but some obvious holes.  Specifically, I see them needing a good wing player who can play defense.  The last two years they've drafted small guards who need the ball to be successful.  This year, I think they need athletic wings who can and will play defense.

So for the #5 pick, my preference is for them to draft one of these three players:

1A- Devin Vassell (SF, Florida State)

1B- Deni Avdija (F, Maccabi Tel Aviv)

2- Isaac Okoro (SF, Auburn)

I think these players are good, fill a big hole, and can work well with the team they have already drafted.  

Thoughts with Bourbon: Rank Punditry (VP Pick) edition

 Making a prediction and locking it in on August 7th, 2020:

Susan Rice will be Joe Biden's Vice President.

(Note:  This will likely be proven right or wrong within the week.  If it's wrong... it won't be the first time I've made a bad judgement).

Here's my reasoning:

1)  Biden guaranteed back in March that he would pick a female VP.  This could be seen as grovelling- or it could be that he already knew who his VP was going to be, and since he already had it locked in, why not make the guarantee?

2)  Biden, I think, wants a VP who will act like him when Biden was President Obama's VP- a trusted advosr, the last person in the room before the President makes his decision.  From what I understand, Rice and Biden got along very well during the Obama adminsitration.  If Biden trusts her, he could see her fulfilling the role he played for President Obama.

3)  Biden wants to make 'his' pick.  If he picks Harris or Duckworth, he will be seen as caving to pressue.  There is no good political reason to pick Rice- therefore, if she is chosen, it must be because he believes she is the best person qualified for the job.

Now, the big question- is she?

She's a former National Security Advisor and former Ambassdor to the UN.  Her credentials in foreign affairs are serious and legitimate.  

The bad news is that she's never run for elected office, and she lost the opportunity be Secretary of State because of the Benghazi debacle.  No one really knows how she'll react under the spotlight of a national election.

Politically, I think she's a poor choice because she doesn't have elected experience, and because the GOP will bring up Benghazi for several months.  The paradox is that, while I think she's a poor political choice, my respect for Biden will increase.  There's no reason to pick Rice for VP (as opposed to Secretary of State) unless he truly believes she's the best person for the job.

Biden's 78.  At his age, who his Vice President is carries significant weight.  Susan Rice wouldn't be my choice- but I think she will be Biden's.