the buzz log

The NBA's lottery system to determine Draft order may not be fair, but it sure ratchets up the buzz factor. Searches on the Draft lottery soared to new heights this year thanks to two star players at the head of the class. Buzz on college studs and potential pro cornerstones Greg Oden and Kevin Durant jumped more than 200% yesterday as fans speculated about their possible destinations.

The lottery provided a shock when the three teams with the best chance of winning the #1 pick were decimated by the fickle fate of lotto balls. After the Portland Trailblazers, snuck into the #1 slot, searches on the up-and-coming squad jumped 654%. Equally fortunate were the Seattle SuperSonics, who bounced into the #2 slot and experienced a sizable bump in Buzz.

As for the teams scorned by the system, searches on the Boston Celtics (+198%), Milwaukee Bucks (+146%), and Memphis Grizzlies (+55%) all moved up as their fortunes went south. The three sad-sack teams will be picking from the four through six slots instead a spot in the coveted top two.

Once the draft order was finalized, searches on "nba mock drafts" immediately slammed the Search box. Queries on "updated 2007 nba mock draft" (+315%), "nba mock draft" (+274%), and "2007 nba mock draft" (+175%) all took off after the top 14 slots in the 2007 Draft were confirmed. We'll be watching as rumors soar to the rim and buzz continues to build on the tremendous talent allocation of 2007...