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Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons Excited To Play Together

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- In Philadelphia, football is king. Especially in late August, as the new football season approaches.

But this year, there's an aura of Sixers excitement in there.

While fans are of course still fired up for the start of Eagles football, the allure of seeing Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons take the floor together this October has Philly sports fans ardent for basketball.

Both Embiid and Simmons were spotted over the weekend the the Sixers Beach Bash.

"He has great footwork, he has great touch, so I'm looking forward to playing with him," Simmons told CSNPhilly.com of Embiid. "Off the court, we're like brothers. We have fun."

Related: Ben Simmons, Sixers To Open Season At Home Against Thunder

Embiid, the Sixers' third-overall pick in 2014, hasn't played in the NBA yet thanks to two straight foot surgeries.

"I feel a hundred percent," Embiid said via CSNPhilly.com. "I'm ready to get started. My summer has been great. We've been working out a lot this past summer, just getting some runs in. I've gotten a chance to play a little bit against the guys."

Embiid, a 7'2" center, has shown the ability to step out and hit jumpers in highlight clips. Embiid says don't be surprises to see him take some threes.

"I think I'll take a couple threes, but I'll do what's best for the team and whatever I'll feel comfortable doing," Embiid said. "Obviously they're going to need my presence inside and that's what I'm going to do. But when I'm open, I might fire some threes."

The Sixers open their preseason schedule on October 4th against the Boston Celtics.

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