ummm...in the NBA the team with the best record picks last, not the champions.
2005 - San Antonio wins title - Phoenix wins regular season but holds last pick.
2006 - Miami wins title - Detroit wins regular season, and has last pick
2007 - San Antonio wins title - Dallas wins regular season, and has last pick
2008 - Boston wins both so certainly picks last
The NHL drafts as you say starting last year, and I think the nfl does too, but the nba goes by regular season standings.