Larry Riley was barely a week into his new job as general manager of the Golden State Warriors when he was asked to represent the team at the NBA Draft lottery on May 19, 2009. He says unlike other representatives, he didn’t bother bringing any good-luck charms with him to the annual event, where the draft order is decided live on TV via the drawing of ping-pong balls with team logos on them. Appropriately enough, the Warriors ended up with pick No. 7, which was exactly in line with their original odds.
You probably know what happened next: Riley and the Warriors selected Stephen Curry from Davidson.