Preseason G1: Sixers @ Knicks 10/2/25 12pm ET NBATV - Dunking in the Desert (Abu Dhabi Game)

[Iverson Armband]

Lol people doubting VJ

4-13, so awesome

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

It's way too early to start raging over this team. I'm gonna wait until at least November.

[Foshan]

Read on Twitter

He's going to be nice with guys who hit shots (Grimes, McCain, hopefully PG). Plays within the offense, makes smart reads. Between him and Maxey, we should get other guys some easier looks with their slashing ability.

I think this is all of this game that i'm going to watch. lol

So... no Bates? I know nothing about him aside from the headcase bit, but surely he could get out there and shoot better than what i'm seeing in the box score?

[Stanford]

Lol people doubting VJ

4-13, so awesome

You look so foolish, bro.

[Iverson Armband]

Lol people doubting VJ

4-13, so awesome

You look so foolish, bro.

Na, you pretending like VJ is some can’t miss prospect off a few mild comments looks foolish. Guarantee you’d be singing a different tune if he weren’t in a Sixers jersey.

[mksp]

Honestly why even bother rooting for this team if you can't get excited about VJ.

The rest of the BS I get it, but FFS, touch grass and try to get excited about a kid who clearly has the talent and physical tools and mental makeup to be a star. High likelihood he doesn't get there, but it's October 3rd, is the board just going to be like this all year?

[Stanford]

Guarantee you’d be singing a different tune if he weren’t in a Sixers jersey.

Oh cool

[Iverson Armband]

Honestly why even bother rooting for this team if you can't get excited about VJ.

The rest of the BS I get it, but FFS, touch grass and try to get excited about a kid who clearly has the talent and physical tools and mental makeup to be a star. High likelihood he doesn't get there, but it's October 3rd, is the board just going to be like this all year?

If he clearly had all these things, there wouldn’t be a high likelihood he doesn’t get there.

If you like VJ, that’s cool. Enjoy it. A lot of people didn’t like him as a prospect, a lot of people did. I get that you just want something to grasp on to because this team is mostly depressing, but stop telling other people how to be a fan.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

4-13, so awesome

You look so foolish, bro.

Na, you pretending like VJ is some can’t miss prospect off a few mild comments looks foolish. Guarantee you’d be singing a different tune if he weren’t in a Sixers jersey.

But would this tune require a harmonica?

[76ciology]

I wouldn’t call VJ unimpressive, but not exactly impressive either.. still, I liked what I saw.

His basketball instincts stand out on both ends. Rebounding comes naturally to him, and he reads the floor well, making the right passes to open teammates. That right corner pass to Oubre was a great example. I actually think he should get more reps at point guard, initiating the offense to create pressure on the defense, while letting Maxey attack if his man shades over. Having Maxey run the initial action and then kick it out to VJ feels like it asks too much of him right now.

His shooting will come around. The first 3 he took was a bad miss, but most of the rest were clean looks that just didn’t fall. He shot well from the line, and his makes had good arc, especially that one three he knocked down.

Defensively, he held his own. Most rookies get hidden on defense, but he defended Mikal Bridges and Brunson without being targeted. Neither Knicks scorer seemed eager to attack him. That speaks to his defensive presence already.

Whenever I watch him play I keep looking at his size and athleticism and how he measures with fellow NBA players from photoshoots to in game, because Im concerned of his size. Sometimes he really looks like just 6’2” out there. On this game, for some reason, he looks taller and more imposing than ever for me. Against Mikal he didn’t look undersized, and seems to be around as tall when he stood next to Malcolm Brogdon, who’s listed at 6’4”. His quickness and athleticism really pop when he’s cutting to the rim and running the floor in transition. But finishing at the rim is something he has to improve, maybe he has to stop for a middy? Maybe he’ll get better when the paint is not clogged like how it was the entire game with often 3-4 non shooters on the floor and playing double big almost the entire game.

For me, the foundation is clearly there for me to be a star in the league. He’s got good instincts, awareness, and IQ, a solid shooting base, and the right mix of size and athleticism. Most rookies struggle with efficiency in preseason, so that’s not a concern. Even Anthony Edwards averaged just around 11 points, 4rpg and 2apg on sub 30% shooting in his rookie preseason.

[Iverson Armband]

I wouldn’t call VJ unimpressive, but not exactly impressive either.. still, I liked what I saw.

His basketball instincts stand out on both ends. Rebounding comes naturally to him, and he reads the floor well, making the right passes to open teammates. That right corner pass to Oubre was a great example. I actually think he should get more reps at point guard, initiating the offense to create pressure on the defense, while letting Maxey attack if his man shades over. Having Maxey run the initial action and then kick it out to VJ feels like it asks too much of him right now.

His shooting will come around. The first 3 he took was a bad miss, but most of the rest were clean looks that just didn’t fall. He shot well from the line, and his makes had good arc, especially that one three he knocked down.

Defensively, he held his own. Most rookies get hidden on defense, but he defended Mikal Bridges and Brunson without being targeted. Neither Knicks scorer seemed eager to attack him. That speaks to his defensive presence already.

Whenever I watch him play I keep looking at his size and athleticism and how he measures with fellow NBA players from photoshoots to in game, because Im concerned of his size. Sometimes he really looks like just 6’2” out there. On this game, for some reason, he looks taller and more imposing than ever for me. Against Mikal he didn’t look undersized, and seems to be around as tall when he stood next to Malcolm Brogdon, who’s listed at 6’4”. His quickness and athleticism really pop when he’s cutting to the rim and running the floor in transition. But finishing at the rim is something he has to improve, maybe he has to stop for a middy? Maybe he’ll get better when the paint is not clogged like how it was the entire game with often 3-4 non shooters on the floor and playing double big almost the entire game.

For me, the foundation is clearly there for me to be a star in the league. He’s got good instincts, awareness, and IQ, a solid shooting base, and the right mix of size and athleticism. Most rookies struggle with efficiency in preseason, so that’s not a concern. Even Anthony Edwards averaged just around 11 points, 4rpg and 2apg on sub 30% shooting in his rookie preseason.

Anthony Edwards was the consensus #1 pick and way more polished coming out of college offensively. Apples to oranges.

Just to be clear, I think he’ll be decent. Just don’t see the star stuff. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.

[Negrodamus]

I think VJ will eventually be more of a PG by year 3. I think the ball handling is good enough, but needs to be better. His decision making is pretty damn impressive. By year 3, he will have enough weight on his frame to take on contact better in the lane and finish. I think the way he played yesterday will be what we largely see from him his rookie year, and that's probably for the best.

I still don't love his off ball defense. Wish his instincts were a little better.

[Negrodamus]

Read on Twitter

He's going to be nice with guys who hit shots (Grimes, McCain, hopefully PG). Plays within the offense, makes smart reads. Between him and Maxey, we should get other guys some easier looks with their slashing ability.

I think this is all of this game that i'm going to watch. lol

So... no Bates? I know nothing about him aside from the headcase bit, but surely he could get out there and shoot better than what i'm seeing in the box score?

Also watch this:

Read on Twitter

[sodmoraes]

VJ is a good passer, and if he can tight a bit his handle, he will have a nice iso game some years from now. His athletic abilities are off the charts, and he will be a good defender and rebounder. His mid range jumper has potential, but my main worry with him is his 3 ball. He´s probably shooting like 10% from 3 since summer league. Let´s hope he can improve it... If he cant he will be a good player, but i dont think he can be an all star if hes bad from 3. He shot it well from college, so there´s hope.

[Jailblazers7]

Gonna be a long season fellas. I’m making an internal commitment not to argue on this site about VJ because he’s one of the only things promising to give me joy this year. I can’t ruin one of the only things I have to look forward to this year.

[LeonJordanJr24]

I want VJ starting with Maxey two high slashing guards. Grimes can play 3 and utilize his shooting and defense. Rounded off with George and Embiid if plays . I think the bench can use size with Oubre,Watkins ,Edwards ,McCain (Lowry,eg) and A big.

[Sixteen]

Gonna be a long season fellas. I’m making an internal commitment not to argue on this site about VJ because he’s one of the only things promising to give me joy this year. I can’t ruin one of the only things I have to look forward to this year.

I think Maxey potentially jumping into the next tier of guards is also something to look forward. Our short term success is often tied to Embiid's availability but I think Maxeys improvement is just as important at this point in the embiid era.

[TYO23]

Grimes is gonna have to play a lot because a lot of this roster can’t shoot..

[Jailblazers7]

Gonna be a long season fellas. I’m making an internal commitment not to argue on this site about VJ because he’s one of the only things promising to give me joy this year. I can’t ruin one of the only things I have to look forward to this year.

I think Maxey potentially jumping into the next tier of guards is also something to look forward. Our short term success is often tied to Embiid's availability but I think Maxeys improvement is just as important at this point in the embiid era.

100%, definitely looking forward to watching Maxey and his development. My top watches will be Maxey, VJ, Bona, and McCain. Curious to see if one of our new PF pops and finds a permanent role.

[Black Mage]

Not a great first game; but VJ at least looked like he belongs on the floor. He also gives us an element we haven't had since what? A young Iggy? Going to give a mulligan for the 3 point shooting. Knicks were just as awful for much of the game and even after getting a few to go down they were still only 20% from 3.

The loss of McCain really hurts though; just having that one guy that is a knock down shooter would have been huge.