Phialdelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe is posting stat lines that are creating early momentum in Rookie of the Year discussions, but his most profound impact isn't showing in the box score. Edgecombe has entered the NBA with a veteran's poise and mentality, contributing positively in ways that first-year players rarely do.
With an advanced understanding of the importance of positioning, off-ball activity, and the impossible task of tuning out the outside noise, Edgecombe is already leading by example.
Edgecombe's numbers have been nothing short of brilliant through two regular season games. He began his career with a 34-point eruption in a win over the Boston Celtics and followed by posting 15 points, eight assists, six rebounds, three steals, and a block during a victory against the Charlotte Hornets.
Edgecombe has also buried six three-point field goals through two appearances, thus rounding his incredible contributions into versatile form.
For as spectacular as those numbers are, Edgecombe's most profound impact is the manner in which he seems to calm the 76ers. He's everywhere the team needs him to be, both in the ways that will make the highlight reel and those that won't.
Whether it's knowing when to gamble defensively or simply angling himself to create ideal passing lanes for his teammates, Edgecombe is a veteran in rookie form.
VJ Edgecombe has an advanced understanding of poise and positioning
Edgecombe has been nothing short of impressive during off-ball situations on the offensive end of the floor. When a teammate has the ball in their hands, the rookie always seems to be adjusting his position to anticipate their needs.
That has inevitably resulted in scorers and playmakers having angles to pass out of double teams, and avoid the turnovers they may have been prone to a season ago.
For as minor as that may seem, it's an invaluable form of perspective on how to ensure the offense flows smoothly and efficiently. Even if shots aren't falling, the 76ers are less prone to unnecessary errors when there's someone on the court whose goal is to ensure their teammates succeed.
Even if Edgecombe struggles at times to bury shots, the fact that Philadelphia can reset a possession and reroute their strategy via a rookie's situational awareness is an invaluable advantage.
Furthermore, Edgecombe has done a phenomenal job of tuning out the excessive negativity surrounding the 76ers. He could've easily entered his current situation fearing for the future knowing that both Joel Embiid and Paul George are high-paid stars with mountains of injury concerns.
Instead, Edgecombe is playing his game according to what each game calls for—the type of maturity and attention to detail that many veterans struggle to display.
Edgecombe will clearly make more headlines for the dominance he appears capable of displaying at times, and perhaps with good reason. On a nightly basis, however, his greatest value will be the ability to adapt to his team's needs and make decisions on the fly that may never appear in the box score.
For as eager as one may be to attempt to track and quantify Edgecombe's development, it's what can't be seen that will make the 76ers successful when he's on the court.