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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NEW YORK – MAY 13: team president Donnie Walsh (R) speaks to the media as New head coach of the New York Knicks Mike D’Antoni (L) looks on during a press conference on May 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 Sthobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – MAY 13: team president Donnie Walsh (R) speaks to the media as New head coach of the New York Knicks Mike D’Antoni (L) looks on during a press conference on May 13, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 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 Sthobe/Getty Images) /

8. Psychics, Indiana Pacers

Desperate for a good luck charm in the 1989 NBA Draft Lottery, the Pacers decided a physical object or individual simply wasn’t enough. Instead, then-general manager Donnie Walsh decided to take things to a spiritual level.

Indiana finished with just 28 wins in 1989 and was looking to put the right pieces around Reggie Miller, who was drafted two years before. Prior to the Lottery, Walsh decided to contact a number of Indianapolis-area psychics and ask them to send positive vibrations towards the organization for good luck.

It didn’t seem as though the spiritual world listened at first, as the Pacers stayed at the seventh overall pick. Indiana used that pick on George McCloud, who averaged nine points per game for his career and was released four years later.

However, just about every top ten selection in the 1989 NBA Draft was a bust, apart from Sean Elliott and Glen Rice. The Pacers would start a run of seven consecutive playoff appearances the next year as Miller developed into a Hall of Famer, so perhaps there was some good luck on the side of the organization after all.

The good luck charm may not have worked entirely at the Lottery, but Walsh has to get credit for using every tool at his disposal, physical or otherwise.

Next: 7. Red Auerbach's cigars, Boston Celtics

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