“Draft new tastebuds with this frozen envelope bliss!!”
The frozen envelope conspiracy is a theory related to the NBA (National Basketball Association) draft lottery that emerged in the 1980s. Specifically, it revolves around the 1985 NBA Draft and the belief that the envelope containing the New York Knicks’ draft pick was intentionally frozen to make it distinguishable from the other envelopes, ultimately leading to the Knicks winning the first overall pick and the opportunity to select Patrick Ewing, a highly coveted college basketball star.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of the frozen envelope conspiracy:
In 1985, the NBA introduced the draft lottery system to determine the draft order for the teams that did not make the playoffs. The system was designed to prevent teams from intentionally losing games to secure better draft positions, as the worst teams in the league would have higher chances of winning the lottery and obtaining higher picks.
The 1985 draft was highly anticipated because Patrick Ewing, a dominant center who played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas, was widely regarded as the top prospect and considered a potential franchise-changing player. The New York Knicks, a storied NBA franchise in need of a star player, had the highest odds of winning the first overall pick in the draft lottery.
When the draft lottery took place, NBA Commissioner David Stern stepped up to the podium with a large rotating drum containing envelopes with the names of all the participating teams. The team whose envelope was drawn first would get the top pick in the draft. Many fans and skeptics began speculating that the process might not be entirely random.
The frozen envelope conspiracy theory suggests that the envelope containing the Knicks’ logo was either chilled or slightly bent, making it distinguishable from the other envelopes in the drum. The theory claims that when Commissioner Stern reached into the drum, he intentionally selected the frozen or bent envelope, ensuring that the Knicks would win the top pick and the right to select Patrick Ewing.
Despite the persistent rumors and speculation, there is no concrete evidence to support the frozen envelope conspiracy. NBA officials have consistently denied any manipulation of the draft lottery, and Commissioner David Stern adamantly refuted the allegations until his passing in 2020. The league has always maintained that the draft lottery process is conducted with transparency and integrity.
While the frozen envelope conspiracy remains an intriguing and often-revisited story in NBA lore, there is no solid proof to suggest that the 1985 draft lottery was anything other than a random and unbiased selection process. Patrick Ewing indeed ended up being the first overall pick and went on to have a successful and impactful career in the NBA, including playing for the New York Knicks.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2 ounces (60ml) tequila
- 1 ounce (30ml) triple sec or orange liqueur
- 1 ounce (30ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 ounce (15ml) simple syrup (adjust to your desired level of sweetness)
- Lime wedges and salt for rimming (optional)
- Fresh lime slices or wedges for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the glasses (optional): If you like a salted rim, rub a lime wedge around the edge of each serving glass. Dip the rim of the glass into a plate of salt, coating the edge with salt.
- Blend the ingredients: In a blender, combine the ice cubes, tequila, triple sec, freshly squeezed lime juice, and simple syrup. Blend until you achieve a smooth and slushy consistency.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the frozen margarita mixture and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your preference. You can add more simple syrup if you like it sweeter or more lime juice if you prefer it tangier.
- Serve the frozen margaritas: Pour the frozen margarita mixture into the prepared glasses. Garnish each glass with a lime slice or wedge.
- Enjoy: Sip and savor your delicious homemade frozen margarita! Serve immediately while it’s still icy and refreshing.
Note: For a fun variation, you can add fresh fruits like strawberries, mangoes, or peaches to the blender to create fruity frozen margaritas. Just blend the fruits along with the other ingredients for an extra burst of flavor!
Remember to enjoy your frozen margaritas responsibly, and make sure to drink them in moderation. Cheers!