LeBron lottery becomes Powerball

By Shawn Krest Sports Central Columnist

For playoff contenders, the last few weeks of the NBA regular season can be dull. Races are either already decided or not all that important: will Phoenix or Houston win the right to be swept by Dallas? Will the Lakers host a series?

Will Washington or Milwaukee be the East's version of sub-.500 UNC-Asheville?

No, the real race is at the other end of the spectrum. A slim chance at the Larry O'Brien trophy is good, but a shot at LeBron James is better. Especially when the consolation prizes are Carmelo Anthony and European prodigy Darko Milicic. There's not a Michael Olowokandi in the bunch for this year's lottery winners, and all it takes is a lousy record and a dream.

Here's a look at the top contenders for James, and which three stand the best chance at getting their big logo card in David Stern's envelope on lottery day. We also take a look at how each team's marketing department would benefit from winning the big prize.

Likely Homes For LeBron

Cleveland: The Cav-nots have devoted their season to landing LeBron James and still only have a game and a half lead over Denver for the worst record. Plus, James is steamed at the team for firing former head coach John Lucas.

Key games: Home and homes against Boston in late March and New Orleans in early April should solidify their hold on last place. The season-ender April 16 against Toronto could be huge.

Potential marketing windfall: Picture billboards featuring LeBron and the city's NFL team. "James, Browns -- Cleveland Rocks"

Toronto: Rumors are that coach Lenny Wilkens will be gone after this season. John Lucas, anyone?

Key games: One game separates the third worst record from the sixth. Toronto controls its ping-pong ball fate with a pair of games each against fellow dregs Miami and Cleveland.

Potential marketing windfall: The Raptors' mascot is joined by the LeBron-tosaurus.

Chicago: The Bulls always seem to have uncanny luck in the lottery. If they land LeBron, here's an intriguing scenario. The Bulls announce that Michael Jordan has agreed to unretire his number 23 for James. The next day, LeBron announces that he's signed a long-term shoe and apparel deal with Nike/Jordan. The possibility of it happening depends on which runs deeper in M.J. -- Nike loyalty or his hatred of Bulls' GM Jerry Krause.

Key games: It is loaded, which is good news for Krause. A pair against Philly, a pair against Indiana, and a few remaining against West teams, led by Sacramento.

Potential marketing windfall: The first Nike/Jordan ad will be a classic. A Hummer pulls up at a Monte Carlo casino. A knockoff of the 007 Spanish guitar theme plays in the background. There's a quick look at two throwback jerseys, neatly folded in the passenger seat, and then out steps LeBron, in a tuxedo and the LeBron 1 basketball shoe. He steps up to a roulette-playing Michael Jordana and introduces himself. "The name is 'Bron ... James ... 'Bron."

New York or Washington: Whichever team doesn't make the playoffs (and there's a possibility they'll both miss out) will be in the lottery. Neither team's schedule is conducive to improving their lottery position, but both teams have shown that it only takes one ball. Marketing opportunities in New York are endless and incessant. LeBron on Letterman. LeBron throwing out the first ball at Yankee Stadium. LeBron and Jeter at the hottest clubs. Washington's marketing plan will be a little tamer. Wes Unseld, wearing a James jersey (No. 23, of course) with the slogan, "Throw forward."

Unlikely Homes For LeBron

Denver: If ever there was a reason to fix the draft lottery, it's the prospect of seeing (for lack of a better term) LeBron James in a Nuggets uniform. Denver is where lottery picks go to die. Even if the Nugs lose out, they will get, at best, the number two pick. Carmelo Anthony seems destined to become the next Antonio McDyess, wasting away a mile above the action.

Key games: Denver gets New York at the start of a Western swing for the Knicks. The Nuggets may spring the upset and lose any shot at catching the Cavs.

Potential marketing windfall: Their best bet is to take advantage of LeBron's eligibility scandal and go back to their multi-colored throwback mountain jerseys.

Miami: LeBron doesn't seem to fit with Pat Riley's grumpy, gritty defensive teams. Plus, Riles hates rookies, and it doesn't seem like tanking games would sit well with him.

Key games: A late March game at Chicago and the pair against the Raptors gives the Heat the opportunity to improve their lot, but we're betting on three wins.

Potential marketing windfall: LeBron on South Beach, I can see. LeBron in pink pastels? Not so much. Maybe salsa parodies are the way to go. Ricky Martin's "LeBron-a Loca" and Gloria Esteban's "Feel the Beat of the Rhythm of LeBron" come to mind.

L.A. Clippers: The Cavaliers must be praying, "If we don't win the lottery, please let the Clippers win." Elgin Baylor will decide he needs yet another power forward and take Maryland's Tahj Holden. Even if they do stumble onto James, Donald Sterling won't pay him, and he'll be on the market in a few years.

Key games: Two against Denver, two against Memphis, and a home game against the Knicks the night after New York plays in Utah. Holden might be gone by the time the Clippers draft.

Potential marketing windfall: "LeBron, meet Penny Marshall."

Atlanta and Memphis: The Hawks' big marketing plan would be to announce that they will be guaranteeing a playoff spot again, and, by the way, raising ticket prices.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.