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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Mr. Potato Head balloon during the 95th Annual 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mr. Potato Head balloon during the 95th Annual 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania /

15. Mr. Potato Head, Sacramento Kings

While Mr. Potato Head didn’t exactly bring the Kings tons of good luck, Sacramento gets some bonus points for creativity and originality.

Plenty of franchises have run promotions to determine draft lucky charms over the years, but few have ended up as strange as the Kings’ eventual winner in 1998. A contest run by Sacramento radio station KHTK somehow determined the Kings would use Mr. Potato Head, the popular character from the Toy Story series, to bring them good luck at that year’s draft.

How exactly Mr. Potato Head is related to good luck remains unknown. Sure enough, general manager Geoff Petrie bought a Mr, Potato Head doll with him to the 1998 Draft Lottery.

The charm didn’t really work, as the Kings stayed in their projected position with the seventh overall pick. They used that selection on Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, who averaged 11.3 points per game in three seasons with Sacramento.

While the Kings would have rather had Dirk Nowitzki or Paul Pierce, Williams turned in some solid years, and at least they avoided drafting Michael Olowakandi. Sacramento would start a streak of eight consecutive playoff appearances the next season.

There will be more effective charms than Mr. Potato Head in the future, but we may never see a stranger choice.

Next: 14. Steve Pagliuca's leprechaun tie, Boston Celtics

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