The arrival of LeBron James has already changed the atmosphere around the Philadelphia 76ers, and it took just one day of training camp for the impact to become impossible to miss.
Anfernee Simons was answering questions about the team's first practice when the conversation was abruptly drowned out by the unmistakable roar of a helicopter taking off from the 76ers' training complex.
It was James' helicopter.
The NBA superstar had used the aircraft to leave New Jersey after practice, adding a very different soundtrack to the opening day of a season that has suddenly placed the Sixers under an enormous spotlight.
Until now, helicopters at the team's complex were more commonly associated with owner Josh Harris arriving for the NBA draft or a major news conference. With James in Philadelphia, that may become a more familiar sight.
The so-called LeBron Effect was already in full force.
More than 50 credentialed reporters, bloggers, television crews and photographers descended on the team's practice facility, prompting the Sixers to move their usual media backdrop from a cramped corner of the building to a more spacious location closer to midcourt.
The extra room was necessary.
James was the central attraction on the first day of training camp, even though he had already left by the time media members were permitted onto the court to watch practice. Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, who all addressed reporters during media day, were absent as well.
Coach Nick Nurse, however, was there to provide a glimpse of what the Sixers' new-look roster could become.
Nurse is entering his fourth season in Philadelphia and is no stranger to the demands of coaching in a major market, particularly with stars such as Embiid and the drama that surrounded former Sixer James Harden.
Still, he acknowledged that the arrival of James has created a different level of attention around the team.
Nurse said the Sixers have discussed the importance of staying connected and looking out for one another as they prepare for a season that already carries unusual expectations before the opening tip.
"It is going to be different," Nurse said. "More people, more eyes, more stories, more national TV. All that kind of stuff. It's the same, just a little more. I'm just trying to get to the practice floor and to the game floor. If we can do those two things, all that other stuff, we'll just kind of handle it as smoothly as we can."
On the court, Nurse has no shortage of reasons for the attention.
James is a four-time NBA champion and one of the most accomplished players in league history. Embiid has established himself as one of the NBA's premier stars, while Brown arrives as an NBA champion and Finals MVP. Maxey, meanwhile, has developed into an All-Star-level player and one of Philadelphia's most important young pieces.
Then there is VJ Edgecombe.
The fifth starter is hardly an afterthought.
Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last season and quickly became a fan favorite because of his personality, athleticism and defensive playmaking. He also played a major role in helping Philadelphia return to the playoffs.
Now he is sharing a starting lineup with James.
Edgecombe worked out with James during the offseason and has already embraced his role within the team's new-look core. He even set up the group text for the starting five after getting James' phone number from Maxey.
But none of that prepared him for seeing James put on his No. 23 jersey inside the Sixers' locker room.
Edgecombe, 21, admitted that the reality of playing alongside his childhood basketball icon briefly caught up with him.
"It's like, damn, that's still Bron," Edgecombe said with a laugh. "He was in the locker room and I'm like, oh, that's Bron over there. His locker was open. He was in there before everybody as usual. He dapped me up, he's like, 'What up? What up?' We know each other for a minute."
Edgecombe insisted he was determined to leave the fanboy reaction behind.
"I ain't gonna be like that no more," he said, drawing laughter.
He quickly proved it.
During practice, Edgecombe found himself loudly directing James during defensive drills, including reminding the veteran superstar when to switch assignments.
The adjustment was understandable. Philadelphia is introducing James to a new system while its players learn how to operate together around one of the greatest players ever.
"We forgot. We messed up a switch," Edgecombe said. "But that's what happens. We're getting to know each other. It's a new system for him. Everything is on the fly right now."
For one day, at least, the Sixers appeared to handle the chaos well.
The cameras, the larger media contingent, the heightened expectations and even the helicopter were all reminders that Philadelphia has entered a very different chapter.
James was the first to take flight.
