Any questions about how the Sixers' new backcourt would mesh were answered about 9 minutes into the season opener on Wednesday night. Rookie VJ Edgecombe scored 14 points in the first quarter and finished with 34, the most in a rookie debut since Wilt Chamberlain, while his backcourt mate Tyrese Maxey dropped a 40-piece. I don't think they'll give a combined 74 points every game, but it's already pretty clear this duo works. And that's fun.
What's less fun is the continued uncertainty around Joel Embiid's health. This situation feels like a lose-lose; if Embiid is healthy, and that game (4 points in 20 minutes) was a sign of things to come, then we should probably be concerned about Joel Embiid. And if he isn't healthy, and that's why he struggled, then why on earth is he playing in the first place?
I will never dunk on Joel Embiid for his injuries, and I will never understand the propensity for others to do it. Right now, I'm just feeling a combination of worry and sadness for a career that just can't seem to get back on track — and now it feels like it's being forced to.
Thus, the Sixers season opener comes with mixed emotions. Joy for a win, excitement for a historic debut from Edgecombe, hope for a successful season at large, but a lingering concern for who Joel Embiid can be at this point in his career.
Sixers frontcourt rotation will be worth watching
Of course, the big question in the frontcourt is about Joel Embiid. The slightly less big but still important question after that is about Paul George and his availability. The question that permeates both of those questions is about who steps up — and who actually plays — when both those guys are out.
Tonight, Dominic Barlow was the beneficiary of a thin frontcourt rotation, as he set a career-high for minutes with 34 in his Sixers debut, and had a pretty dang impressive game to boot with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block.
Jabari Walker, another free agency addition, played 19 minutes and had 6 points with 4 rebounds.
Apparently, it's going to be a collection of new guys running the frontcourt whenever Embiid and George don't play, which is sadly a safe assumption to make at this point. Adem Bona, who lots of fans speculated could play a big role on this team whenever Embiid is sidelined, played 15 minutes but didn't make much impact. That's worth monitoring.
You should never make declarations after one game in an 82-game season, but I am confident that VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey are going to be just fine together. Just don't think too hard about all the other stuff, and you can live a life of bliss.