A Great 76ers Media Day Kicks Off My 27th Season As PA Announcer For The Philadelphia 76ers

Another October is upon us, and that means a new Philadelphia 76ers season is around the corner, and the best way to start that was with 76ers Media Day.

76ers Media Day took place last Monday, and you know I had to make my way over to see what it was all about.

This year, like every year recently, 76ers Media Day took place at the Sixers’ gorgeous practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.

For those who don’t know, Media Day is kind of like the first day of school for basketball players and media alike.

There are some new faces around the facility, a few new teachers, or in this case, coaches, and everybody is dressed to impress.

Of course, the biggest new face of all is Paul George, the marquee free agent signing this summer, not only by the Sixers but also the biggest across the entire NBA.

As I enter my 27th season as public address announcer for the 76ers, I am super excited for this year’s team — I think it could be a very special season.

With the addition of George, along with an already great roster, I truly believe this is the best supporting cast the Sixers have surrounded Joel Embiid within his eight seasons with the team.

All we can hope for is a healthy season across the board for all of our players this season, and hopefully, that will lead to a deep playoff run.

I know I would love to be calling games deep into June!

As I mentioned, this is my 27th season as public address announcer for the team, and 27 seems to be a crazy number in the sport of basketball.

Us music lovers know the 27 Club and how unfortunate it is when it comes to our musicians, but on the flip side, in the NBA good, 27 seems to be followed by good luck rather than tragedy.

The season Michael Jordan won his first championship, he entered the season at 27 years old.

But it doesn’t stop there — LeBron James was also 27 years old the year he won his first championship!

So maybe in my 27th season with the Sixers, I can see my first championship with the team as well!

Anyway, back to 76ers Media Day!

I also got the chance to meet our two new draft picks this year — Jared McCain and Adam Bona — and they are both really nice guys.

I even asked Jared if I could say, “J-Mac for 3,” whenever he hits a three-point shot this season, and he was all for it!

So expect to hear that a lot this season!

And expect a huge year from this 76ers team because they have all the talent in the world.

I think we’re in for a fun season, Sixers fans!

Last night, February 5, 2024, the Philadelphia 76ers went head-to-head with the Dallas Mavericks. With Joel Embiid still out with an injury, the team lost 118-102.

The Sixers were down four regular starters, including Joel Embiid. He is out for a displaced flap of the meniscus in the left knee.

He will move forward with a procedure on that knee that will have him out for a significant amount of time. Anyway, back to Monday's game.

Gina, who is in MGK's digital department, told me she was going to the game with her family. It was for her dad's birthday. She sits right next to me, and just outside the studio I broadcast from every day.

Her dad, Ron, is a huge Sixers fan! I love her parents, Sarah and Ron, and Gina helps out a lot with all things digital and social media.

In a last-minute turn of events, Gina got to sit courtside, less than a foul shot away from Joel! In fact, it was even closer. She was close enough to foul him!

Gina sent me all of her photos from her amazing night. She said it fulfilled her dad's childhood dream. She and her dad had a blast being that close to the players. They were close enough to hear trash talk clearly!

Here are my and Gina's photos from the night:

I snapped this picture of Kyrie Irving during the game. He was chirping with the fans.

Gina got this photo of the Sixers bench. In this pic, you can see Mo Bamba, Tyrese Maxey, Ricky Council IV, and Furkan Korkmaz. The bench was pretty clear here. It was in the first quarter.

Gina was very close to Joel Embiid, as you can see. He came and sat on the bench after the game tipped off. She was shocked when he walked over and sat so close!

Before the game, Gina got photos of the players warming up. Here is a good shot of Kelly Oubre Jr. preparing for the game. You can spot Patrick Beverley in the photo as well.

I snapped this picture of Gina and her dad, Ron, sitting courtside. Check out who was next to her! None other than Robert Covington, aka RoCo, and De'Anthony Melton. They popped over to sit next to her as the game was ending. She got a fist bump from Melton!

Before the game, Kate Scott was walking out to start the television broadcast as I went over to talk to Gina at her seat! Gina and Kate have met a few times, but I formally introduced Ron to Kate. I got this great picture of their smiling faces!

Luka! The ma was in the house. I snapped a photo of Luka Dončić during the game. The Mavericks pulled out the win with help from this guy right here.