Since the start of 'The Process, ' the Philadelphia 76ers have created some of the NBA's most dramatic storylines.
From the tanking discourse to Joel Embiid's endless list of injuries, to Markelle Fultz's mysterious career-altering concerns, to Ben Simmons forcing his way out, and GMs having burner accounts, the Sixers have simply been a soap opera throughout the Josh Harris era.
Coming off arguably the most exciting offseason of the Harris tenure, the 76ers are almost drama-free. They have the league's next superteam, so naturally, there are rivals quietly waiting for it to play out and implode, but there's still a ton of noise surrounding the 76ers over one storyline alone: That damn helicopter.
When does it end?
Before LeBron James set foot in Philadelphia, his travel arrangements became the league's obsession. As soon as it was revealed that James would reside in New York City and fly his way to Sixers practice and home games, it became the biggest talking point.
Players are at practice speaking with reporters, and a loud noise is overheard through the gym. Select reporters felt the need to make an X post about it. News cameras would post up outside the 76ers' practice facility just to catch a clip of LeBron walking to his lift. Riveting!
ESPN's Dave McMenamin couldn't mask his grin when he got the hundredth chance to mention that LeBron had a shorter commute to his preseason debut with the Sixers in Brooklyn, than it would've been if the game took place in South Philly.
Now, the guy that every Los Angeles Clippers fan probably despises, Pablo Torre, claims that he's going to look into LeBron James' arrangement with Fanatics, the company that owns the helicopter he's catching lifts from. That's just another sign that the Sixers' most useless and annoying storyline isn't going away.
I guess it could be worse
As annoying as the helicopter talk has been, I guess it could always be worse, right?
Thinking about it, if the biggest storyline surrounding the 76ers is about LeBron James living in New York and flying to every team activity, then the 76ers are in really good shape right now.
Everybody rooting for Philly sports knows how small of a deal this really is. Most famous athletes in the area don't even live in the state. In fact, the Sixers don't even practice there! The team frequents New Jersey just as much as they are in Philadelphia. And LeBron isn't even the first Sixer to commute from NYC. Ex-76ers sharpshooter JJ Redick did it for multiple seasons. The Lakers head coach probably gave LeBron some good advice.
Now, if Torre's investigation leads to some dirt, then we're having a different conversation. For the time being, the 76ers just might have the best distraction in the league. The helicopter talk could serve as the best shield for the Sixers, protecting them from other unwanted drama.
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