The 2015 edition of the NBA Draft was shaping up to be a surprising night and it surely did not disappoint. Though the suspense of who would be the number 1 pick was all but decided days before the draft when it was reported that Kentucky big man Karl Anthony-Towns would be going to the Minnesota Timberwolves, there was plenty of big news to report after that.
The first surprise was the Los Angeles Lakers taking Ohio State point guard D'Angelo Russell with the second pick. The perennially contending Lakers don't usually feature this high in the draft lottery, so their presence in the top five was already a shock. Many had pegged them to take Duke center Jahlil Okafor with their pick, but they went with the 6'5 Russell.
Okafor was then quickly snapped up by the Philadelphia 76ers at the number 3 spot. It was a questionable move for the Sixers who are already stocked with young big men like last year's first overall pick Joel Embiid and promising shot stopper Nerlens Noel. The move has many believing that Philadelphia GM Sam Hinkie is hunkering down for another tanking campaign this upcoming season.
The biggest shock of the top five occurred at number four when the New York Knicks took a gamble on Latvian 7 footer Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis stock has risen considerably in the weeks leading up to the draft with many NBA GMs intrigued by his combination of size, athleticism, and outside shooting touch. The Knicks fans in attendance didn't seem too pleased with the decision though, as they reigned down boos as he took the stage.
The big shock was the Miami Heat lucking into Duke small forward Justise Winslow at number 10. Predicted to go as high as the top 5, Winslow landing in Miami has many believing that the Heat can once again make some noise in the Eastern conference.
