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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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8 Jun 2001: Producer/director Penny Marshall and 76ers owner Pat Croce talk during Game 2 of the NBA Finals between of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 98-89. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr/Allsport.
8 Jun 2001: Producer/director Penny Marshall and 76ers owner Pat Croce talk during Game 2 of the NBA Finals between of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 98-89. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr/Allsport. /

9. Crystal miniature basketball, Philadelphia 76ers

Feeling as though no domestic good luck charm would work in the 1996 Draft Lottery, the 76ers took things to an international level.

The 76ers were coming off an ugly 22-win season and sixth consecutive playoff miss during a down period in the mid-90s. Hoping to channel the luck of the Irish, 76ers President Pat Croce went out and commissioned a crystal miniature basketball from a jeweler in Waterford, Ireland.

With the miniature basketball in hand, Croce watched as the 76ers were awarded the top pick in the loaded 1996 NBA Draft, moving up one pick. Not only did Philadelphia win the lottery, it used the selection on Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.

Iverson would become one of the faces of the NBA for the next 15 years, averaging 26.7 points per game in his spectacular career. The 76ers could never quite get over the hump with Iverson, but they reached at least the Conference Semifinals round four different times, including an appearance in the 2001 Finals.

The miniature Irish basketball would have ranked as one of the very best charms in NBA history had it been retired that year. Croce tried it again the next year and moved up three spots to No. 2 overall. Unfortunately, the pick was used on Keith van Horn, and Croce retired the charm in 1998 after it failed to help Philadelphia move up.

Next: 8. Psychics, Indiana Pacers

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