VJ Edgecombe started his rookie season off with a bang for the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 34 and 26 points in two of his first three outings as a professional. Since then, his statistical output may have dropped off a bit, but he's not any less important to the success of this team.
The rookie averaged a shocking 21.2 points in October while shooting 49.4%, through the first five games of his career. In November, those numbers are down to a 12.9 points per game average, and a 35.5% shooting mark. His hot shooting has reverted to the norm, but VJ is still finding plenty of other ways to contribute to winning basketball.
The defensive intensity that scouts saw as a big green flag in Edgecombe during the pre-draft process is now showing up in a big way at the NBA level for him. He's been taking on different assignments and handling them with the kind of poise that's not common for a rookie. This is one of the biggest reasons Sixers fans saw drafting him as such a win from day one. This is a guy who's well-positioned to contribute on a win-now team defensively.
VJ Edgecombe continues to contribute for the Sixers
Edgecombe's dip in scoring numbers is indicative of an evolving role. He's not necessarily always doing less because he's struggling, sometimes it's just a result of him doing what his team needs him to on a particular night. VJ has shown that he'll play a smart brand of basketball no matter where you put him, and that he's willing to sacrifice for the success of the group.
This will ultimately allow Philadelphia to keep the primary focus on Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey while gradually building more of their process around Edgecombe with time. It's this kind of unselfishness and versatility that makes VJ far more valuable than just a one-dimensional scorer.
On a team like the 76ers that has aspirations of going deep in the playoffs, utility players that can do multiple things on the floor at a high level are of the utmost importance. Edgecombe is the kind of immediate impact rookie you always hope for, due to his ability to be a difference-maker as a defender, playmaker or even a third or fourth scoring option where necessary.
Some rookies that saw early success might get a bit disgruntled when their shot isn't falling at the same rate or when he's asked to do something different. VJ Edgecombe is the opposite, and it's why he's still such a valuable piece for this Philadelphia 76ers team.