The 1985 NBA Draft is one of the most talked-about events in basketball history, not just because of the players, but because of a strange theory. The league introduced the draft lottery that year, and the New York Knicks won the first overall pick. They used it to select Patrick Ewing, a top college star. Soon after, people started to question the result.
Some believed the NBA rigged the lottery by freezing the envelope with the Knicks’ logo, making it easy to pick. The theory gained attention because the Knicks were a big-market team struggling at the time. The idea of a fixed draft has never been proven, but it continues to raise questions even after many years.
What Made The 1985 NBA Draft Special?
The 1985 NBA Draft was the first time the league used a lottery system to decide which team got the first pick. Before that, the worst teams would flip a coin. In 1985, seven teams that did not make the playoffs were included in the lottery. Each team had an envelope with its logo placed into a clear drum. NBA Commissioner David Stern spun the drum and pulled out the winning envelope. The team that won the first pick was the New York Knicks. They used it to draft Patrick Ewing, one of the best college players at the time.
How The Frozen Envelope Theory Started?
Soon after the lottery, people started to question how the Knicks won. Some viewers noticed that one of the envelopes looked slightly bent. Others believed the envelope had been frozen before being placed in the drum.
"What pressure?"
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 25, 2025
Patrick Ewing had the perfect answer after being takes #1 overall by the Knicks in the 1985 NBA Draft 😤
TONIGHT, the 2025 #NBADraft presented by State Farm begins at 8pm/et on ESPN & ABC! pic.twitter.com/sb1q8RdX0z
The idea was that David Stern could feel the cold envelope and pick it on purpose. This theory became popular because the Knicks were a big-market team that had been struggling. Many believed the NBA wanted a strong player like Ewing to join a famous team to boost the league’s image.
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Why Does The Theory Still Get Attention?
Even though it happened decades ago, people still talk about the 1985 lottery. Some think it was a setup to help the league grow. Every time a team with low odds wins the lottery, fans remember 1985. The idea of a “frozen envelope” has become part of NBA history, even if there is no proof it really happened. It has led to more people watching the lottery closely each year.
Also Read: All 30 NBA Teams’ Best Draft Picks Of All-Time
What Did The NBA Do After The Event?
Watch the full 2025 NBA Draft Lottery drawing process that resulted in the Dallas Mavericks receiving the No. 1 overall pick.#NBADraftLottery presented by State Farm pic.twitter.com/rHiJdBxpt4
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2025
To make the process more trusted, the NBA changed how the lottery worked in later years. The league stopped using envelopes and moved to ping pong balls drawn behind closed doors, with team representatives and independent observers present. These steps were taken to make the lottery more fair and to reduce doubt among fans and teams.
Why Fans Still Have Doubts?
Even with the new system, some fans still believe the NBA may try to control who gets top players. When teams with low chances win the lottery, people wonder if the process is truly random. The memory of the 1985 draft always comes back during such moments. Because of this, the NBA continues to face questions about fairness every time the draft lottery is held.
What keeps the theory alive
The 1985 NBA Draft remains a major part of basketball history. The strange way the Knicks won, the questions about the envelope, and the rise of Patrick Ewing all make it memorable. Even today, the frozen envelope theory is often discussed, showing how one moment can leave a lasting impact on the league and its fans.
Also Read: What Is The NBA Draft Lottery? How Ping Pong Balls Decide The Future Of Franchises
