Sixers' Magic Number Is 2

NEW YORK — After the cameras had recorded their emotions and words, Sixers general manager Jimmy Lynam and Orlando GM Pat Williams turned toward each other and hugged like teammates.

In a sense, they were. By lucking out big-time yesterday afternoon with his second consecutive No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery, Williams allowed for the likelihood of the Sixers getting the player they wanted, minus the hassles of media and fan second-guessing.

Barring a trade that Williams himself called "very unlikely," and barring a sudden infatuation with a twin-towers concept or an unexpected problem with salary restructuring, the Magic will draft a power forward, probably Michigan's Chris Webber, or maybe, just maybe, Kentucky's Jamal Mashburn.

They will leave 7-6 center Shawn Bradley - high on height and athleticism, low on experience, profile and age (21) - to a team as excited about him as anyone.

For the Sixers it's as good as having the No. 1 pick, and perhaps better. If Bradley - who has played just one season of college basketball at Brigham Young - is a big bust and Webber dazzles in the coming years, Lynam and company won't have to hear "I told you so." By picking Bradley as No. 1, they risked that.

Now they can do what they want, guilt-free.

"Guilt-free - I like that," said Gene Shue, the Sixers' director of player personnel.

"I hear you," Lynam said when all this was suggested to him. "But honestly, I don't worry about that. This thing is not an exact science. I mean, c'mon."

Maybe it's not science, but people have been burned by what-might-have- beens. Specifically, Lynam and Williams. Lynam was an assistant coach and Williams was the Sixers' GM when the rights to No. 1 pick Brad Daugherty were traded away in 1986. The mind boggles to think what Charles Barkley and Daugherty might have done together.

But life went on, and so did Williams, down to Orlando. Last season, when the Magic won the lottery and picked Shaquille O'Neal, Williams had 10 lottery balls. This season, having barely missed making the NBA playoffs, the Magic had one among the 66 that rolled around the tub.

"Whatever it is that I've got, I should bottle it or patent it," Williams said. "Last year I was ready to win, I was psyched. This year I was just happy to be here. It's like I have a season ticket to this event."

A ticket that has irked some in the NBA, including Sixers owner Harold Katz.