The talented, promising combo guard VJ Edgecombe is quietly showing how he’ll develop into his role this upcoming NBA season.
From midsummer into the start of the NBA season, international players return to their home countries. They do so in hopes of helping the team qualify for the FIBA World Cup. Since most fans don’t have access to international games or coverage, much of what happens goes unnoticed. However, VJ demands international attention.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ newest offseason acquisitions have fans wondering if Edgecombe can keep developing the way he has. They question if he can fit into the role he’ll be playing this season, too. However, 1,000 miles away in Nassau, New Providence, VJ is showing exactly what he can bring to the team. Right now, he looks like a natural fit.
Making the Most of Every Possession
VJ’s rookie year was a promising start to his career, averaging 16.0 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 75 games on the starting rotation. He maintained a 20.1% usage rate throughout the year.
With all of the addition of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Edgecombe’s usage rate will drop. However, it doesn’t mean he’ll be less useful to the team. VJ clearly impacts the game. His impact is what makes him useful to the Sixers. It also makes him a threat to any opposition. VJ showcased his development in his three FIBA games. Against Jamaica, VJ recorded 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals.
The output is similar to what we’ve seen in his rookie year, but the film will show his play style has taken a huge step up.
VJ scored 25 points on 15 shots this game, putting up 10 threes and knocking down six. This kind of output is extremely necessary for his upcoming role. It shows he doesn’t need a high shot volume to contribute to scoring. The film also shows how he utilizes opportunistic scoring.
Throughout the game, he finishes lobs and takes easy transition looks. More importantly, he’s using four dribbles or less to score. He’s shooting with no hesitation to punish weak coverage. Furthermore, he is taking one-dribble pull-ups behind screens and ultimately scoring much easier.
VJ also dove for loose balls, hawked down rebounds, and ripped ball handlers all throughout the game. His All-NBA co-stars will make plays like this, too. However, VJ’s extra energy will make the team even better. With all of the scoring and defensive talent checked off, effort is exactly what the Sixers need.
Bigger Opportunities Overseas Improve NBA Production
The Bahamas FIBA team is undoubtedly talented, but VJ is clearly one of the best players on the roster, if not the best. He has experience playing more talented players, more intricate defensive schemes, and more complex offensive systems.
Naturally, the coaching staff has let him run the offense for large portions of games. In his three qualifying games, VJ averaged 23.3 points per game, six rebounds, and seven assists. VJ won’t be bearing this level of offensive responsibility during the season. Even so, he’s using this opportunity to make himself a threat even as the fifth option.
Against Panama, VJ recorded 25 points, five rebounds and four assists, which is just about his average between his other two FIBA games. However, this game was different. Throughout the first half, the team allowed VJ to take control of the offense. Possession after possession, they gave him the ball and let him figure things out for the team.
With countless opportunities to create for himself, VJ has developed and will continue to do so. The opportunities forced VJ to attack closeouts, make split-second decisions with the ball, create shots and find the open man. He won’t have this kind of role in Philadelphia. However, it significantly opens up the rotation. When your fifth option can comfortably run an NBA offense at a high level, you’ve got a way better chance of winning.
The fanbase’s concern for VJ’s development is valid, but there’s comfort in understanding the kind of player he is. Throughout college, and even in his FIBA career, he’s always shown qualities that prioritize the team over his individual success.
If anything, being so young, surrounded by such a high level of talent, and playing with the goal of winning a championship will make him a better player in the long run. Ultimately, Philadelphia can rest assured that VJ will be primed and ready to contribute on this championship-level team come October.
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