Remember, Michael Olowakandi? No?

That was the Los Angeles Clippers last No. 1 draft pick in 1998, per ESPN.

The Clippers passed on future All-Stars Vince Carter, Mike Bibby, Antawn Jamison, Dirk Nowitzki, and Paul Pierce that year.

Even a couple of second-round picks (Rafer Alston, Rashard Lewis) are enjoying nice playoff runs this year with the Orlando Magic.

The “other” L.A. can only hope that Oklahoma sophomore forward Blake Griffin does with the #1 pick what Derrick Rose did for the Chicago Bulls this past year– take them to the playoffs.

That would also mean out of the draft lottery for which they seem to have reserved seats.

The Twitterverse has 5:1 odds right now that the Clips blow this:

1. 
   Bill0926 @KatzMoney Amen. Clippers win the Lottery. Blake Griffin loses. 20 May 2009 from web in reply to KatzMoney
2. 
   cnungesser @kbruce I just bet nobody is more upset that the Clippers got the number one pick than Blake Griffin. Side note: wash your hands. 20 May 2009 from txt
3. 
   biglew8 Congrats to the Clippers for winning the #1 draft pick in the NBA Draft Lottery! Blake Griffin will go there and after 3 years he will leave 20 May 2009 from web
4. 
   ohsnapattack (@chamada) Oh Snap! The Clippers won the draft lottery. Does that mean Blake Griffin will suck? 20 May 2009 from web
5. 
   tabithajames @spreethang The Clippers are going to be the next Spurs or Cavs. Just like Duncan and LeBron, Griffin will turn it all around 20 May 2009 from mobile web

Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin) wants you, L.A.!

Will the Clippers select Blake Griffin with the #1 pick?

(Twitpic by @yeapound)

The Memphis Grizzlies will pick second and the Oklahoma City Thunder third with UConn’s Hasheem Thabeet (@HasheemTheDream) and Spain guard Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) as likely targets.

1. 
   MrSpEcTiZzY O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr. And possibly my fellow Husky Hasheem Thabeet. What a starting 5 the Memphis Grizzlies have! 20 May 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   jlrman2025 Ricky Rubio + Kevin Durant??! I’m about to jump off this Mavs wagon and get on this Oklahoma bandwagon!!! They are the Thunder right??!?! 20 May 2009 from Twitterrific
3. 
   bbjsports @BlakeLoepp I take my chances w/ either Thabeet or Rubio @ #3 & go from there. Too bad the Thunder didn’t get Blake, but still a good group. 20 May 2009 from web in reply to BlakeLoepp
4. 
   neogigo Thabeet or Rubio … i would draft Rubio 20 May 2009 from web
5. 
   Ruggedly the real Draft Lottery winner: Oklahoma.
   Adding Hash Thabeet to Durant, Jeff Green and Russ Westbrook? Yes Please. 20 May 2009 from web

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