Welcome V.J. Edgecombe

[TYO23]

First highlight play tonight and I’ll be calling him the next Wade.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

Most excited I've been about a rookie since Evan Turner. Lets just hope this time it turns out better.

[eyeatoma]

Most excited I've been about a rookie since Evan Turner. Lets just hope this time it turns out better.

You invoked his name, it's all downhill from here.

[76ciology]

Is VJ Edgecombe a better scorer than Maxey or McCain were in college?

I would say no to your first question

I’m not disagreeing, and trust me, if I knew the answer for sure, I’d gladly fire off another hot take, which I love doing. But I’m curious why you say VJ isn’t a better scorer than Maxey or McCain coming out of college. Statistically, VJ makes a strong case with his shooting percentages, usage rate, free throw rate, and points per 100 possessions.

[76ciology]

Most excited I've been about a rookie since Evan Turner. Lets just hope this time it turns out better.

I’m getting pre-BMX injury Fultz hype.

Even the Salt Lake Summer League broadcast adds to it, with that darker tone compared to typical TV coverage.

[M2J]

Is VJ Edgecombe a better scorer than Maxey or McCain were in college?

I would say no to your first question

I’m not disagreeing, and trust me, if I knew the answer for sure, I’d gladly fire off another hot take, which I love doing. But I’m curious why you say VJ isn’t a better scorer than Maxey or McCain coming out of college. Statistically, VJ makes a strong case with his shooting percentages, usage rate, free throw rate, and points per 100 possessions.

Again this is just a question on scoring not overall game ..I think VJ was the overall better collegiate player.

Due to how they score, and this is just how I see the game results are results. But opportunity and how those results are received determine how I see you as a overall scorer and I value half court creation a great deal. They were all 3 very different players in college, though Maxey and McCain seem very similar in style now that Maxey can shoot. So I feel I need to really explain to differentiate.

McCain was the best offensive player to me out of the 3 in college. He was a competent creator... Even though the big offensive question for him coming out was ball handling and creation.. But knew how to move off ball and was a great shooter at Duke.

Maxey was clearly a lead guard that looked as if he could be a spark off anyone's bench... But with big questions on his size, defense playmaking for others and shooting. But he could flat out score. Elite speed with fast decisions to shoot, drive or pass off the catch and the ability to drive in the half court with a quick first step creating his own shot in one on one opportunities or off the catch. He even had that great trait of passing you get the ball back to just drive it from a different angle in college. Plus had a well controlled floater, and talented finishes.

Yes both Maxey and McCain scored in transition, but I feel VJ right now is a transition finisher. He's a better player because he creates so many transition opportunities in college with his defense and rebounding. In the half court... It's typically finishes at the rim off ball and he did so a decent job of making quick decisions off the catch by shooting decisively if open or driving if crowded. Finishing around the basket off putbacks or cuts

But I guess it boils down to. I don't think at this point you can just give the ball to VJ and say create a bucket compared to those two even in college. And especially with Jared I don't think you can draw up a play to create an open jumper the way you could with McCain.
Due to advanced ball handling by both and shooting from Jared.


By the numbers last year my recent hopeful comp of Amen Thompson scored more and was more efficient than Jabari Smith... But, I would trust Jabari to create a competent shot for himself than Amen at this stage from his spots.

[okboomer]

He needs to be the lead ball handler for certain stretches during the regular season to get him reps.

[Arsenal]

Valdez Jordan

[TYO23]

First highlight play tonight and I’ll be calling him the next Wade.

Yeah he’s that…

[76ciology]

I would say no to your first question

I’m not disagreeing, and trust me, if I knew the answer for sure, I’d gladly fire off another hot take, which I love doing. But I’m curious why you say VJ isn’t a better scorer than Maxey or McCain coming out of college. Statistically, VJ makes a strong case with his shooting percentages, usage rate, free throw rate, and points per 100 possessions.

Again this is just a question on scoring but overall game ..I think VJ was the overall better collegiate player.

Due to how they score, and this is just how I see the game results are results. But opportunity and how those results are received determine how I see you as a overall scorer and I value half court creation a great deal. They were all 3 very different players in college, though Maxey and McCain seem very similar in style now that Maxey can shoot. So I feel I need to really explain to differentiate.

McCain was the best offensive player to me out of the 3 in college. He was a competent creator... Even though the big offensive question for him coming out was ball handling and creation.. But knew how to move off ball and was a great shooter at Duke.

Maxey was clearly a lead guard that looked as if he could be a spark off anyone's bench... But with big questions on his size, defense playmaking for others and shooting. But he could flat out score. Elite speed with fast decisions to shoot, drive or pass off the catch and the ability to drive in the half court with a quick first step creating his own shot in one on one opportunities or off the catch. He even had that great trait of passing you get the ball back to just drive it from a different angle in college. Plus had a well controlled floater, and talented finishes.

Yes both Maxey and McCain scored in transition, but I feel VJ right now is a transition finisher. He's a better player because he creates so many transition opportunities in college with his defense and rebounding. In the half court... It's typically finishes at the rim off ball and he did so a decent job of making quick decisions off the catch by shooting decisively if open or driving if crowded. Finishing around the basket off putbacks or cuts

But I guess it boils down to. I don't think at this point you can just give the ball to VJ and say create a bucket compared to those two even in college. And especially with Jared I don't think you can draw up a play to create an open jumper the way you could with McCain.
Due to advanced ball handling by both and shooting from Jared.


By the numbers last year my recent hopeful comp of Amen Thompson scored more and was more efficient than Jabari Smith... But, I would trust Jabari to create a competent shot for himself than Amen at this stage from his spots.

I think VJ is much more than just a transition scorer. After watching several full games, there’s a consistent pacing to his approach. He usually plays within the flow of the offense for the first 15 minutes of each half, then ramps up his aggression in the final 5 minutes, often by attacking the rim and getting to the line. It reminds me a lot of how Jimmy Butler paces himself, showing a level of maturity you usually see in veterans. It’s the opposite of someone like Embiid, who tends to come out strong early but fades late.

The issue is, most highlights, and even a lot of analysts only focus on his early stretches and miss what he does down the stretch. On a bigger scale, he performed significantly better against top 50 opponents in his last 16 games compared to his first 16, and his shooting also improved noticeably over his final 20 plus games. He’s a natural clutch performer, or at least someone who rises in high-pressure moments. I dont know what his numbers in crunch time, but I really believe there would be a spike in rim or FTr frequency. He just needs to tighten up his perimeter shot and add strength, as I mentioned earlier.

[M2J]

I’m not disagreeing, and trust me, if I knew the answer for sure, I’d gladly fire off another hot take, which I love doing. But I’m curious why you say VJ isn’t a better scorer than Maxey or McCain coming out of college. Statistically, VJ makes a strong case with his shooting percentages, usage rate, free throw rate, and points per 100 possessions.

Again this is just a question on scoring but overall game ..I think VJ was the overall better collegiate player.

Due to how they score, and this is just how I see the game results are results. But opportunity and how those results are received determine how I see you as a overall scorer and I value half court creation a great deal. They were all 3 very different players in college, though Maxey and McCain seem very similar in style now that Maxey can shoot. So I feel I need to really explain to differentiate.

McCain was the best offensive player to me out of the 3 in college. He was a competent creator... Even though the big offensive question for him coming out was ball handling and creation.. But knew how to move off ball and was a great shooter at Duke.

Maxey was clearly a lead guard that looked as if he could be a spark off anyone's bench... But with big questions on his size, defense playmaking for others and shooting. But he could flat out score. Elite speed with fast decisions to shoot, drive or pass off the catch and the ability to drive in the half court with a quick first step creating his own shot in one on one opportunities or off the catch. He even had that great trait of passing you get the ball back to just drive it from a different angle in college. Plus had a well controlled floater, and talented finishes.

Yes both Maxey and McCain scored in transition, but I feel VJ right now is a transition finisher. He's a better player because he creates so many transition opportunities in college with his defense and rebounding. In the half court... It's typically finishes at the rim off ball and he did so a decent job of making quick decisions off the catch by shooting decisively if open or driving if crowded. Finishing around the basket off putbacks or cuts

But I guess it boils down to. I don't think at this point you can just give the ball to VJ and say create a bucket compared to those two even in college. And especially with Jared I don't think you can draw up a play to create an open jumper the way you could with McCain.
Due to advanced ball handling by both and shooting from Jared.


By the numbers last year my recent hopeful comp of Amen Thompson scored more and was more efficient than Jabari Smith... But, I would trust Jabari to create a competent shot for himself than Amen at this stage from his spots.

I think VJ is much more than just a transition scorer. After watching several full games, there’s a consistent pacing to his approach. He usually plays within the flow of the offense for the first 15 minutes of each half, then ramps up his aggression in the final 5 minutes, often by attacking the rim and getting to the line. It reminds me a lot of how Jimmy Butler paces himself, showing a level of maturity you usually see in veterans. It’s the opposite of someone like Embiid, who tends to come out strong early but fades late.

The issue is, most highlights, and even a lot of analysts only focus on his early stretches and miss what he does down the stretch. On a bigger scale, he performed significantly better against top 50 opponents in his last 16 games compared to his first 16, and his shooting also improved noticeably over his final 20 plus games. He’s a natural clutch performer, or at least someone who rises in high-pressure moments. I dont know what his numbers in crunch time, but I really believe there would be a spike in rim or FTr frequency. He just needs to tighten up his perimeter shot and add strength, as I mentioned earlier.

handles definitely seem somewhat stronger in game 1 using screens... Still don't see him as a half court offensive creator yet at least. Doesn't need to be yet. I'm encouraged that he's not afraid to shoot the 3 either like Maxey was as a rookie, but needs work there

[DCasey91]

McClain was the outright best offensive player in College out of the three.
Maxey had more potential but wasn't a sure thing (fukn great pick though) and VJ is like a mix he was more composed than Maxey so I'm hoping we have another All Star on our hands.
Damn we didn't get Proctor who looks ready for NBA ball.
But very very encouraging signs so far he'll play alot of mins, I'll already think he's better than Edwards as of this moment in time.

[76ciology]

McClain was the outright best offensive player in College out of the three.

How so?

McCain was projected mostly as a C&S and off ball shooter.

[sodmoraes]

Maxey should hook up Edge with his shooting trainer, because his ceiling will be limited by his shooting. HIs handle is better than i thought and i think he has a foundation already there to have some iso and off the dribble shots, but he needs to be consistent CS from 3 with good volume. If he can do it, he will be an allstar, since he does a lot of things well already: defense, good passer, explosive first step and leaper, rebounds well, even has a nice 15 ft jumper. A consistent 3 ball will elevate his game, hope he can get it.

[Kobblehead]

As athletic as he is, his slight frame and short arms lead me to think he'd be better off focusing on shooting and not slashing. He can use his athleticism to get to his spots and pull up (once he hones his jumper). He'll be unguardable on the perimeter in due time.

[DCasey91]

McClain was the outright best offensive player in College out of the three.

How so?

McCain was projected mostly as a C&S and off ball shooter.

College is way different to NBA. I'm not talking projecting I'm talking about how he performed throughout. He was fukn clinical. On ball/off ball did not matter.

Maxey has a great motor, great kid, great ethics but his shot was questionable at best and wasn't nearly as composed . Heck Cade didn't look great in College all things considered on his rank. It was a very simplified 5 shot hourglass

I had Fox comps for Maxey but Fox moved like lightning. (Still does btw), even Shai had concerns on his shot but not his finishing which is the best I've seen since watching.

It's funny how players remark the Pacers play more like a College team than an NBA one.

If you care to watch old games, there is one player that looks pretty much how he looks in the NBA (just slimmer when fit) and that is Jamal Murray... for lack of a better word was flat awesome for a guard in the tourney run.

Most players don't look like what they are now pretty self explanatory. Heck McClain wasn't even the most talented or touted on the team that would have been Proctor but he took more time to develop and got picked this year.

[DCasey91]

As athletic as he is, his slight frame and short arms lead me to think he'd be better off focusing on shooting and not slashing. He can use his athleticism to get to his spots and pull up (once he hones his jumper). He'll be unguardable on the perimeter in due time.

He doesn't have short arms. His standing is 8.5 and a half which is above average for 6ft 4. Does he have alien arms line Melton? No but he's going to be a solid kid in the future. Size for size he's bigger than Maxey at the same age obviously. And he gets high on his midrange jumper. Yes we all want big guards who doesn't but they don't grow on trees.

[DCasey91]

As athletic as he is, his slight frame and short arms lead me to think he'd be better off focusing on shooting and not slashing. He can use his athleticism to get to his spots and pull up (once he hones his jumper). He'll be unguardable on the perimeter in due time.

He doesn't have short arms. His standing is 8.5 and a half which is above average for 6ft 4. Does he have alien arms like Melton? No but he's going to be a solid kid in the future. Size for size he's bigger than Maxey at the same age obviously. And he gets high on his midrange jumper. Yes we all want big guards who doesn't but they don't grow on trees.

Ben Simmons has the same wingspan as Bron at 2.14m that's why he sucks as a rim protector for arguments sake.

[elchengue20]

It's just Summer League but it was a very promising performance.

Looks like we could have an absolute stud in the making.

So glad Ace Bailey showed he's an idiot before and not after the Draft. This franchise woudnt resist another soft minded and entitled dumb franchise player.

[phillynative]

Will he play against the Grizzlies? I hope they dont withhold that decision until the last minute.