VJ Edgecombe can do even more than the 76ers envisioned.
So on Friday, they took the ball out of Tyrese Maxey’s hands and made Edgecombe the primary ball handler in an exhibition game, even though dribbling was a supposed weakness for the rookie.
“I think we thought, ‘OK, maybe he could play with the ball,’ and we were talking about ‘Let’s do it at Summer League,’” coach Nick Nurse said after a 126-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the preseason finale. “But where we are, I think he’s way ahead of where we thought he could be, being able to do it.”
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Edgecombe’s ability to bring the ball up the court created easy scoring opportunities for Maxey – opportunities he hadn’t seen since playing alongside James Harden two seasons ago. And some think the Sixers may have found the perfect backcourt pair for Maxey.
Edgecombe finished the game with 26 points, one behind Maxey’s record total. The third overall pick in June’s NBA draft also recorded six rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals in 34 minutes. Eleven of his points came in the fourth quarter on 4-for-6 shooting. His final eight points came on a personal 8-0 run to put the game out of reach.
He started the run with back-to-back rolls to the basket. Then the 20-year-old added two foul shots. And after stealing the ball, Edgecombe scored on a running dunk to put the Sixers up 18 with 9 minutes, 8 seconds left. Having seen enough, Nurse replaced him for good with 8:43 remaining.
So what stood out most to Edgecombe on their home debut?
The five interceptions? Play leader? Score 11 points in the fourth quarter?
“Probably the thefts,” he said. “I would just say being in the lanes, getting as many deflections as possible, being in the right spot defensively. That’s something I pride myself on. I wouldn’t say I stood out, but that’s probably the best part.”
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Edgecombe showed himself to be an athletic wing with elite defensive skills last season as a freshman at Baylor.
It was a highly anticipated highlight during his lone college season. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder was known for his ability to score, especially in transition and at the rim. The Bahamian also possessed strong playmaking skills and defensive instincts.
He averaged 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season. If there was a weakness, his struggles with creating plans stood out. The idea was that if Edgecombe developed a shot and worked on his ball-handling, he could be a solid NBA combo guard.
But Maxey was far from surprised by Edgecombe’s ability to handle the ball Friday. He was “extremely” impressed with his teammate’s comfort in the backcourt with the ball against NBA defenders.
“He makes good decisions,” Maxey said. “He doesn’t let people rush him. I think he plays extremely mature for being a rookie. He’s good. He’s good at basketball.”
Barring setbacks, Edgecombe will remain in the starting lineup when the Sixers open the season Wednesday against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
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He will be part of a young backcourt rotation this season that includes Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain, who is sidelined after right thumb surgery. And Edgecombe has lofty goals, including winning Rookie of the Year, making the All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams and helping the Sixers contend for a title.
“I know I worked hard to get into this position,” he said. “If I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t be here. I feel like I have a lot of confidence. My teammates inspire confidence in me, too. So, I won’t say it’s easy, but at the end of the day, it’s basketball. I try not to think about it too much.
“I love this game so much. … It flows naturally, man. I’m just here to have fun.”
