2011 NBA Draft Lottery: The 10 Most Memorable Moments in NBA Lottery History

Hopefully, the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery will be filled with memorable moments.

Whether it's a prospect who doesn't get his name called when expected, or a draft day trade that has our jaws hanging, it should be fun to watch and see how the future of the NBA unfolds.

In this slideshow, we'll run through some funny moments, some sad ones, and some downright embarrassing times in the life of the NBA draft, so sit back and enjoy the most memorable moments in lottery history. 

10. Rashard Lewis Slides in the Green Room

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Taj Gibson #22 of the Chicago Bulls guards Rashard Lewis #9 of the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in Washington on February 28, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Rashard Lewis thought he was going to be a member of the Houston Rockets.

After declaring for the draft out of high school, Lewis claimed that the Rockets promised to select him with one of their three first-round picks that season.

But as each pick came and went, they passed on Lewis, who was driven to tears in the green room before the Sonics finally called his name in the second round. 

9. Pistons Select Mateen Cleaves

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1 Nov 2000: Mateen Cleaves #24 of the Detroit Pistons moves with the ball during the game against the Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Pistons 103-83. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that th

Mateen Cleaves looked right into the camera and told Flint, Michigan that he was coming home.

Here's the exact quote: "Wassup, Flint, I'm coming home, baby. Tony, I love you, boy. I'm coming home, baby. Yeah, baby, yo. Yeah, baby!"

Yeah baby, you went right home after barely spending any time as an active member of an NBA roster. 

8. Steve Francis Brings 300 People to the Draft

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NEW YORK - APRIL 7: Steve Francis #1 of the New York Knicks talks with his teammate Jamal Crawford #11 during the game against the Indiana Pacers on April 7, 2006 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The Knicks won 98-96. (Photo by Nick

Steve Francis was very excited for the NBA draft. 

In fact, Francis was so excited that he decided to invite 300 of his closest family members to come along to the draft with him.

How does he even have 300 people in his family? That's one big draft party. 

7. Sixers Select Keith Van Horn

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22 Oct 1999: Keith Van Horn #44 of the New Jersey Nets looks on during a Pre- Season game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Nets defeated the 76ers 122-101.

Van Horn was the second overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1997 draft.

However, the selection wasn't for them. In a trade that had been worked out prior to the draft, Van Horn was sent to New Jersey in a deal that couldn't become official until after the draft concluded.

So even though everybody knew what was going down, including Van Horn himself, he had to sit there with a Philly cap on his head and pretend like he was excited to play for the Sixers. 

6. Clippers Take Darius Miles

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30 Mar 2002: Darius Miles #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers jogs down the court during the game against the Utah Jazz at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz defeated the Clippers 105-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

The Clippers stunned the world when they selected Darius Miles out of high school with the third overall pick in 2000.

Although the draft class wasn't exactly loaded with talent, the Clippers passed on Jamal Crawford to take Miles, whose tenure with the team was hardly long-term.

Throw up those fists, Darius. You clearly deserve a big celebration. 

5. Rick Pitino Selects Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer

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21 Nov 1997: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Boston Celtics (left) talks to his guard Ron Mercer during a game against the New Jersey Nets at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won the game 101-93. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Alls

This one is my personal favorite.

When Rick Pitino selected Chauncey Billups third overall and Ron Mercer sixth overall in the 1997 draft, he said that he had his dream backcourt for the next 10 seasons.

It took less than 200 games for the coach to ship both of the guards out of town in separate deals, so I guess his dream was really more of a nightmare. 

4. Reggie Theus Calls Elgin Baylor a "Lottery Veteran"

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Head coach Reggie Theus of the Sacramento Kings gestures during the game with the Los Angeles Clippers on October 24, 2007 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers won 92-90. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty

There's a reason Reggie Theus isn't working as an NBA analyst for TNT anymore.

Back in 2000, Theus called then Clippers General Manager Elgin Baylor a "veteran of the lottery process."

That's the nicest way to say "you suck at your job" that I've ever heard in my life. 

3. Vancouver Selects Steve Francis

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LOS ANGELES - APRIL 7: Steve Francis #3 of the Houston Rockets reacts after the play against the Los Angeles Clippers during the game at Staples Center on April 7, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Rockets won 102-79. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

When Francis was selected by Vancouver second overall, he reluctantly pulled the cap over his head, shook David Stern's hand and stared at the ceiling when being interviewed.

Clearly less than exhilarated by the opportunity to play in Canada, Francis made a national audience watch painfully as he lied through his teeth about how happy he was that the Grizzlies took him.

But then he was traded to Houston, and all was right with the world again. 

2. Vlade Divac Smoking in the Green Room

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SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Chris Webber #4 of the Sacramento Kings and Vlade Divac #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers vie for position during their game on December 16, 2004 at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. The Lakers won 115-99. NOTE TO USER: Use

Jerry West is one shrewd executive.

West was known to be targeting Divac with the 26th overall pick, but he was fearful that the talented big man wouldn't last that long on draft day. So, when West heard that Divac was seen smoking as he came off the airplane on the day before the draft, he told him to keep on puffing.

Divac listened, and the TV cameras showed him smoking in the green room waiting for his name to be called. West's master plan worked, and he fell right into the Lakers' lap at 26.

1. Sam Bowie Selected Ahead of Michael Jordan

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INGLEWOOD, CA - 1989: Sam Bowie #31 of the Portland Trail Blazers battles for position during a game in the 1988-89 NBA season against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

You knew it was coming.

What were the Blazers thinking?

Although the classic line is that "the one thing you can't teach is size," Bowie's ineffective NBA career has always been put under the microscope since the guy selected after him just happened to turn into the best basketball player of all time.