Get this: VJ Edgecombe, who put up an impressive 16 points a game in his rookie year and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, is ready to see his role on the 76ers offense shrink. With the massive additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to the squad, Edgecombe’s playing time and shot attempts are absolutely going to get squeezed, and he’s totally on board with it.
Embracing the Superteam Vibe
This isn’t your usual story of a young star wanting more. Edgecombe told Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer that he’s all about winning. “I just want to win,” he said, making it clear where his priorities are. He also added, “I’m going to still be aggressive, still be myself. If that comes with less shots or more shots, who knows. I don’t know how the course of the game is going to go. I’m just excited to play alongside my teammates. I think we have a chance to do something really special.” How can you not love that attitude? This dude isn’t worried about his stat line; he’s focused on getting hardware. He’s also totally hyped to be playing alongside his idol. “I’m totally excited. It’s such a blessing. I’m going into year two playing alongside my favorite player ever (LeBron)… That’s the main thing for me, just learning, getting to know them. They’re all great persons. Down to earth, not acting super big-time like they are, but they’re really a bunch of humble men. I’m just glad to be around them.” That kind of humility and eagerness to learn? That’s gold, especially when you’re adding two all-time talents to the mix.
Adjusting to a New Reality
Figuring out how to make this new superteam gel is going to take some time, no doubt. Coach Nick Nurse and his staff are looking at the first month of the season, give or take, just to find the right rotation and rhythm. It’s not going to be easy, especially with Joel Embiid’s availability being a question mark on any given night. The source even points out that this could feel a lot like when LeBron first joined the Heat, who started that season 9-8 as everyone adjusted. But don’t forget, that Heat team went on to win 58 games and reach the NBA Finals. The 76ers would absolutely take that outcome for sure. Edgecombe is going to be a big part of figuring all that out. The plan might even be to stagger him more with the second unit, giving him more touches and more freedom in the offense. While his individual stats might take a hit this season, what really matters is that Edgecombe’s game and overall efficiency keep improving. He wants a chance to win, and to win big, and Philly has definitely given him that opportunity.
The season kicks off soon, and it’s going to be fascinating to watch Nurse navigate this roster and see how quickly they can click. Edgecombe’s willingness to sacrifice is a huge sign for this team’s championship aspirations. Get ready for some wild early season hoops!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply