Sixers: 5 big storylines heading into training camp

Sixers training camp storylines: The vibes are immaculate

This is less of a storyline, and more of a decompression. With all the hubbub around Ben Simmons, it’s easy to get down in the dumps when thinking ahead to the Sixers’ season. It could be a long, ugly, drawn-out process, with neither Daryl Morey nor Ben Simmons seemingly ready to budge.

That said, there is positive energy floating around the team. Let’s start in the broadcasting booth, where the Sixers have officially hired Kate Scott as play-by-play announcer, replacing the legendary (and now retired) Marc Zumoff. Scott previously worked for the Pac-12 network, and now becomes the second female to call play-by-play in the NBA. She’s also the first to call a major sport in Philadelphia.

https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1441123650124468224

You also have the first wave of practice images from the Sixers’ social media crew, featuring Andre Drummond (who, yes, you weren’t dreaming, is a member of the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers), Paul Reed, more formally known as Bball Paul, and Tobias Harris, the franchise’s beloved leader and lead salary-earner.

Then, you have rookie Jaden Springer, who threw out the first pitch at a recent Phillies game. He’s following in the footsteps of Tyrese Maxey, who threw out the ceremonious first pitch earlier this summer.

You also have a healthy, newly extended Joel Embiid coming into camp, along with the recently re-signed Danny Green. The gang, with that one notable exception, is mostly back together and ready to compete in the East.

What really makes the vibes immaculate, however, is none of that. It’s this freakin’ workout video from Furkan Korkmaz, who broke out the Ennio Morricone score in a classic Spaghetti Western homage that qualifies as arguably the greatest hype video in world history.

The vibes are good if you know where to look. 14 of the Sixers’ 15 rostered players — well, at least 13, depending on what Bassey does — are going to be at camp, on the roster, and doing what’s necessary to try and win games next season.