It was a replay of December's Miss Universe pageant disguised as an NBA draft lottery ceremony.
The Lakers were initially announced as the first runner-up.
But in reality, they won.
On a nailbiting night when the Philadelphia 76ers were awarded the first pick in the June draft, the Lakers were given something far more valuable, and without the Steve Harvey howl.
By finishing in the top three, they avoided being forced to send their first-round pick to the Sixers. And by finishing second, they are in a perfect position to take the player best suited to be the future cornerstone of Luke Walton's probable new system.