Shaquille O'Neal to Orlando! Full NBC Coverage of the 1992 NBA Draft Lottery

Watch the full archival NBC Sports coverage of the 1992 NBA Draft Lottery, held in Portland, Oregon on June 24, 1992. This pivotal event determined which team would secure the consensus number one overall pick, Shaquille O'Neal, the generational center from LSU.   The drawing resulted in a major historical shift. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who finished the 1991–92 season with the worst record in the league, held the highest probability of winning the number one selection at 16.67%. However, the Orlando Magic, holding the second-best odds at 15.15%, won the top pick and secured O'Neal. Compounding the misfortune for Minnesota, they ultimately fell two spots, drafting Christian Laettner with the 3rd pick, behind the Charlotte Hornets who selected Alonzo Mourning at number two.   This drawing is historically significant for three reasons: The First Center Trio: The 1992 Draft is the only one in NBA history where the first three picks were all centers: O'Neal (1st), Mourning (2nd), and Laettner (3rd).   Statistical Anomaly: The result represented a major odds inversion where the team with the highest statistical chance (Minnesota) dropped two spots.   Back-to-Back Wins: This event marked the beginning of an extraordinary statistical rarity when the Orlando Magic won the lottery again in 1993, securing the right to draft Chris Webber (later traded for Anfernee Hardaway).   The 1992 NBA Draft is regarded as one of the deepest draft classes in league history, producing Hall of Famers O'Neal and Mourning, and seven-time champion Robert Horry.   This draft lottery drawing marked the first time the draft event was held outside of New York City.