Just in time for the NBA Finals, the NBA has released the list of superstitions each team must overcome to be victorious. One of these habits is having to do with the guest player on your roster. You must either have the player sign an NLSC or you will suffer the consequences. What are these consequences? They range from bad luck to bad mojo. No pressure, but you will have to choose carefully.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have a history of bad luck when it comes to signing free agents. They have had 16 first round picks in 20 years, yet haven’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs. Most recently, the team was linked to a potential trade for Kevin Durant, who signed with the Warriors, in part to get away from the Knicks. If you get the urge to sign Rob Pattinson, don’t even think about it. You’ll never see him play for the team again.
Los Angeles Lakers
I know what you’re thinking. The Los Angeles Lakers are the most iconic team in NBA history. With a roster that includes the likes of Michael Jackson, Earvin Johnson, and Kobe Bryant, it’s easy to see why they’ve been so successful. It would make sense that they’ve had very little superstitions. Well, you’d be partially right. According to the official website, the Lakers must not sit out a game due to rain, cold weather, or hot temperatures. Otherwise, they will suffer bad mojo. What does this mean? It means they will have bad luck with injuries and general misfortune. Just the thought of playing for the Lakers gives you bad luck. Don’t even think about it.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have a history of coming up short in the NBA Finals. Sure, they have had some incredible players over the years, including Michael Jordan, Steve Nash, and LeBron James. But they’ve never been able to bring it all together and end up as champion. One of the reasons for this is that the team must not sit out due to bad weather conditions, including cold rain, snow, or humidity. Doing so will bring you bad luck in the off-season. What does this mean? The Heat will struggle to find their next superstar. Do you want to be the one to bring them good luck by signing with the team?
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are the team that defeated the Heat in the 2017 NBA Finals. In total, they’ve had 11 different MVPs play for the team, including Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson. Clearly, they’re not your traditional boring team. As a result of this, they’ve had some pretty interesting superstitions. For starters, the players must always wear their uniform. This ensures that they don’t run the risk of having their pants dirty or their shirts unbuttoned during play. What’s more, the home bench must be aligned in a straight line to prevent any bad luck. In addition, the team must not sit out due to rain, thunderstorms, or a full moon. Otherwise, they will suffer bad luck. If you’re looking for a new challenge, the 76ers are certainly a team you can join. But, for the love of God, don’t wear your Yankees shirt next to your Eagles shirt. It won’t end well.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are the most successful team, brand, and organization in all of sports. With a record-breaking 24 championships, the Spurs are sure to have some pretty interesting superstitions. One of these beliefs is that they must never speak ill of the opposing team. What does this mean in practice? It means that they will have bad luck if they speak poorly about another team. Just the thought of the Spurs makes you think twice about having anything to do with them. Your chances of being injured or becoming ill are quite high. Still, it’s quite an honor to be considered for a job with such an iconic organization.
Toronto Raptors
One of the most storied franchises in all of sports, the Toronto Raptors have 17 championships on their wall. It seems like they’ve played in every major sports league, including the CFL and the MLB. But their greatest accomplishment may be their consistency. Since 1996, they’ve made the playoffs every year and never missed a game. They even brought a bit of that magic to the NBA this year, making the playoffs as a 6th seed before knocking off the 2-seed Boston Celtics in the first round. One of the reasons for this is that the Raptors must not sit out due to bad weather conditions. Otherwise, they will suffer bad luck in the form of injuries and general misfortune. Do you want to be a part of this championship team?
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are the latest team to make the list. Similar to the other teams mentioned here, the Wizards have had a lot of success, winning 4 NBA championships. They’re also one of the most fashionable teams in the league, known for their colorful and enthusiastic celebrations. It seems like they’ve had fun with superstitions as well. For example, in 2017, they drafted an entirely new mascot named, appropriately, Solomon Grundy. This has become such a huge part of the team that they’ve had to update their website to reflect this. As a result of playing for such a legendary franchise, you’re bound to see plenty of fans wearing Wizard shirts and waving pompoms around. Still, being a part of this team is quite an honor.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the most popular teams in the NBA. One of the main reasons for this is that the team never stops celebrating. It seems like each game is a celebration and it’s not uncommon to see fans wearing costume and makeup. It’s also not uncommon to see players wear cleats with their names on them or pull pranks on each other. Whether it’s a fun dance party or an all-out brawl, the Cavs always seem to find a way to have a good time. This is why they’ve had so much success. One of the reasons for this is that the team must never sit out due to bad weather conditions. Otherwise, they will suffer bad luck in the form of injuries and general misfortune. If you’re looking for a hot team that always has fun, the Cavaliers are the ones you should be trying out for. Just make sure you don’t have any pets, because they will see you as an easy target.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the most interesting teams in the NBA. They were originally founded in the ABA in 1974 and joined the NBA in 1995. Since then, the team has had 7 first-round picks, including Sam Cassell and Kevin Garnett. These two combined to form the foundation of the team, known as the KG-era. In total, this is an incredibly successful and experienced team. So much so that they’ve had to develop some pretty unique habits. For example, the team must never sit out due to rain, cold temperatures, or humidity. Otherwise, they will suffer bad luck in the form of injuries and general misfortune. If you’re a diehard basketball fan, it would be an honor to play for such a legendary franchise. Just make sure you don’t have any pets, because they will see you as an easy target.
Hopefully, this information was helpful. As you can see, there are a lot of superstitions that teams must adhere to. Some of these habits are a lot more dangerous than others. For example, the Miami Heat must avoid sitting out due to bad weather conditions, which can lead to them getting injured more easily. On the other hand, some habits are minor. For example, the Toronto Raptors must not sit out due to bad weather conditions, but they also must not speak badly about the opposing team. The point is that every team is different and some of these superstitions are more important to one team than another. One thing’s for sure, none of this will matter if you don’t put in the work. You’ll either sign with the Knicks or you’ll end up somewhere else. Either way, it’s a good idea to start following the rules, because that’s how you’ll become part of the team. And being on the other side of that saying is something that no one wants to experience.