Turmoil. Blockbuster. Honor.

These are three words describing the offseason of the Philadelphia 76ers. It began with the infamous, "practice, we talking about practice" saga between star guard Allen Iverson and head coach Larry Brown. Then came the blockbuster trade acquiring Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCullouch from New Jersey. Finally, last Friday, Brown was part of the 44th induction class into the National Basketball Hall of Fame.

"That's over, it was a wonderful experience," Brown said as the team opened training camp at The Bryce Jordan Center yesterday.

Brown was not the only Sixer who showed up at the ceremony -- he was joined by Aaron McKie and Eric Snow, who wanted to honor their coach. Iverson was supposed to join them, but his plans changed at the last minute.

"He [Brown] is special to me," McKie said. "He has meant a lot to me throughout my professional career."

Celebrations are over and the task at hand is refocusing a team that underachieved last season and was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.

With the new acquisitions, big things are expected this year.

"I think with those two guys, the versatility that Keith brings, and solid play Todd can bring, the versatility that we have is the biggest key for us this year," point guard Eric Snow said.

Van Horn proved his worth last season, helping lead the New Jersey Nets to the NBA Finals. His numbers fell to 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, but the statistics that matter to him are the wins and losses.

"I wasn't really worrying about what other people felt," he said. "I took less shots and I did that as a sacrifice for us to be a better team."

Van Horn will be placed in that role again this season as he tries to get his touches on a team whose first look is always Iverson, last year's league scoring champion.

"In playing in the summer with Allen, I thought we played together great," Van Horn said. "I felt that our team chemistry is going to develop. I really feel comfortable in the situation, I feel comfortable with the team we have."

Feeling comfortable in Philadelphia is something which seems odd for a player who, coming out of college, did not want to work out for the Sixers. This all changed during a taxi ride home from former teammate Kerry Kittles' wedding.

"[My agent] said I was going to Philadelphia. I said, 'Stop joking you're kidding me right,' '' Van Horn said. "I said, 'David if you're messing around with me I'm going to kill you.' "

He was not joking and Van Horn finds himself on a team capable of going to the NBA Finals, only the Sixers would not surprise the league as the Nets did.

"To me, everybody is coming in optimistic with high expectations," McKie said. "We feel that we can win a championship."

The potential is there as the Sixers prepare for their 40th season in Philadelphia, one which they hope brings more celebration, less controversy and no early playoff upset.