The Philadelphia 76ers returned to the NBA Draft lottery for the first time in seven years last night, as the annual ping-pong ball extravaganza caught the attention of the basketball world. With the 76ers back in the lottery, it was also the first opportunity for The Rights To Ricky Sanchez podcast, featuring Spike Eskin and Mike Levin, to host their annual lottery party when the Philadelphia basketball team was eligible.
Since 2016, the wildly popular 76ers podcast has held a lottery party every year the franchise was eligible to earn the first overall draft pick in the NBA Draft. This year, a sold-out Franklin Music Hall celebrated as the 76ers drew the third overall selection in this June’s NBA Draft.
The event was hosted by Eskin and Levin. Moreover, it also included guest appearances from The Rights To Ricky Sanchez alum Pablo Torre, singer Tim Hause, 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele, and remote appearances by 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and 76ers rookie Jared McCain, who represented the team at the NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago.
As the crowd erupted in cheers with every team that was selected before Philadelphia, there were also plenty of jeers as players from other teams represented at the draft lottery were shown on the screen. Meanwhile, the storyline of whether the Dallas Mavericks would somehow earn the first overall selection following a tumultuous season trading superstar Luka Doncic led to chants to “rig it” as the night went on.
Before the lottery began, The Rights To Ricky Sanchez hosts Eskin and Levin welcomed all those in attendance to throw ping pong balls at the stage in a public stoning of a “human sacrifice” for the event. Additionally, the crowd enjoyed a performance of “Imagine the Process” performed by Hause.
Following the lottery, Eskin and Levin hosted a live episode of the podcast for the sold-out crowd featuring Torre, where he was inducted into the podcast’s “Process Hall of Fame,” playing off the term “Trust the Process” which came from Torre during an appearance on Around The Horn years ago. Furthermore, the live performance also included a sit-down interview with Yabusele to wrap up the night.
Tickets for attendees were priced at $25, with a VIP package sold for $100. Importantly, sales benefitted Mama-Tee Community Fridge in Philadelphia, which helps families in need who are food insecure, and Providence Animal Center, a nonprofit organization providing adoption, medical care, and training for companion animals.
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