And in Chicago, Dick Jauron was on the hot seat after the Cade McNown pick turned into a disaster.
Despite just a 2.8 percent chance, that pick turned into the No. 1 selection in the draft lottery held on May 17, sparking a modest celebration in Cleveland.
The pick turned out to be the third overall selection in the draft, and the Devils chose Niedermayer, who was with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.
That pick turned out to be Brampton Battalion star Matt Duchene.
If the Lakers' pick turns into the next Shaquille O'Neal or Kobe Bryant, Mitch Kupchak will be celebrated for his brilliance.
If the pick turns out to be a failure, Jim Buss will cement his spot as one of the worst executives in sports.
The new Romney-Ryan Republican ticket, seeing the running mate pick turning the election into a matter of ideology rather than efficacy, is busy complaining that Obama and Joe Biden are conducting a negative campaign.
For anyone who has watched the Kings longer than five years, for those who experienced the agony of watching prime draft picks turn into superstars with other teams over four decades, looking up at one Cup banner was surreal.
Advocates of active stock picking turn their noses up at such investments.
President Nixon, after having two Court picks turned down, came up with a third: a Minnesota judge, Harry A. Blackmun, whose personal and professional credentials were first-rate.
