Fansided

15 best NBA Draft Lottery lucky charms

By Nathaniel Reeves

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: The 2011 Draft class including Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, Brandon Knight, Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker pose for a group photo during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 23: The 2011 Draft class including Kyrie Irving, Derrick Williams, Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, Brandon Knight, Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker pose for a group photo during the 2011 NBA Draft at the Prudential Center on June 23, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 06: Associate coach Patrick Ewing of the Charlotte Hornets watches from the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 6, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets 111-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 06: Associate coach Patrick Ewing of the Charlotte Hornets watches from the bench during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 6, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Hornets 111-102. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

1. Lucky horseshoe, New York Knicks

Horse racing objects and pendents have been a popular NBA Draft charm throughout the years. That trend may have started with the Knicks in the 1985 Draft Lottery, as they got one of the best luck boosts in NBA history.

After two consecutive Conference Semifinals appearances, the Knicks fell all the way to 24-58 in 1984-85. That marked the first season the NBA instituted a Draft Lottery, so New York still had a chance at consensus top pick Patrick Ewing despite finishing with the second-worst record.

For good luck, Knicks Hall of Famer Dave Debusschere brought a lucky horseshoe from On the Road Again, a prized harness horse. New York did end up winning the first ever Lottery, giving On the Road Again and the horseshoe a place in Knicks lore.

Of course, many think the Knicks’ lottery win came down to more than good luck, as a popular (and somewhat plausible) conspiracy theory states that the draft was fixed by David Stern and company. In any case, the Knicks did end up with Ewing, and started a string of 14 consecutive postseason appearances in 1988 with him leading the way.

The horseshoe is one of the most memorable images from perhaps the most infamous NBA Draft in history, and therefore earns the place as the best good luck charm ever.

For more NBA Draft coverage, check out our basketball hub page. 

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