Disaster averted, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka embraces lottery success

— -- NEW YORK -- Years ago, during his first visit to New York City as an agent representing players in the NBA draft, Rob Pelinka decided to go for an early morning run through Central Park. He began before sunrise, striding alongside the park's reservoir, by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the miles adding up before everything was alight. That night, Pelinka's clients did well; they were selected high or landed in promising situations. Every year since, Pelinka has continued that ritual, those pre-dawn runs in the park, and every year, it seemed that things worked in his favor.

Around 6 a.m. Tuesday, Pelinka arrived in the park, again hoping for luck but needing it more than ever. No longer did his focus center on his clients' futures, having left his post as a powerhouse agent, famously representing Kobe Bryant. Now, as the Lakers' general manager, Pelinka oversaw a rebuilding franchise miles away from its past success, one that, hours later, at the New York Hilton Midtown, faced utter catastrophe at its most crucial crossroads yet.

Either the 2017 draft lottery's pingpong balls would reward the Lakers' 26-56 season with a top-three pick, or the team would fall out of the top three and lose the pick to the Philadelphia 76ers -- and if that happened, the Lakers would also lose their 2019 first-round pick to the Orlando Magic. Both obligations were owed to the Lakers' 2012 deals for Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, moves made in pursuit of a title that failed then and continue to fail the Lakers now.

Many bring lucky trinkets to the lottery, but Pelinka brought none, relying on his run. He clocked about eight miles, following his familiar path. Later, Pelinka and Lakers' president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson met with agents. They Facetimed with Lakers president and owner Jeanie Buss. They took a call from Bryant, who wished them luck. Then on their drive to the hotel, Pelinka and Johnson prayed.