The VJ Edgecombe thread

LofJ · Post #41 » by **LofJ** » Fri May 16, 2025 5:25 pm

It's rare when a player comes along that fits so well on the roster AND has a lot of upside. We need someone that can guard Brunson, Mitchell, Haliburton, Maxey, Young, etc. to cover for LaMelo. Someone that will create fast break opportunities with their defense and fly down the floor for rim shaking dunks. We don't need him to score, we need him to defend and hit shots when he's open. Edgecombe can do that right away with the potential to become much more down the road.

Yeah, I'd prefer if we were talking about a skilled, athletic big to replace Mark, but that player isn't there. If VJ was a better playmaker he'd be the ideal backcourt pairing with LaMelo. But with his athleticism, maturity, and basketball IQ I'm confident he'll work hard to get better.

I think Jeff Peterson needs to do whatever it takes to land him.

Post #42 » by **fatlever** » Fri May 16, 2025 5:43 pm

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cause vj to the sixers

Post #43 » by **fatlever** » Fri May 16, 2025 5:48 pm

i dont believe at all the sixers are locked in on ace. if i were to bet today, i'd say 50% they take vj, 25% they trade, 15% they take ace, 10% they take kon.
vj makes so much more sense for a team expected to be in playoffs. just look at the impact caruso has for okc on defense. then imagine if caruso had vj's athleticism.

Post #44 » by **fatlever** » Sat May 17, 2025 6:12 am

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Post #45 » by **fatlever** » Sat May 17, 2025 9:21 pm

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Chapelchilla · Post #46 » by **Chapelchilla** » Sun May 18, 2025 2:53 pm

He is probably my front runner at 4 but he does have holes in his game. I wouldn't mind a trade down in this draft. 3-8 are not looking that far apart this year.

Post #47 » by **fatlever** » Sun May 18, 2025 7:56 pm

I've seen some draft analysts compare vj To a more athletic christian braun.. braun Was an inch and a half taller and 15 lbs heavier at the combine. Of course Christian was two years older coming out of college. But you could see how that would be a useful archetype for us, high floor but maybe not the highest of ceilings.

Braggins · Post #48 » by **Braggins** » Sun May 18, 2025 8:02 pm

I feel like if his shot and ball handling don't progress like we'd hope that he should be able to have impact playing a similar role to Jalen Suggs.

Post #49 » by **fatlever** » Sun May 18, 2025 9:58 pm

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JustBuzzin · Post #50 » by **JustBuzzin** » Sun May 18, 2025 10:36 pm

Don't see the hype with this kid.

I'm trying my best to actually be comfortable drafting him #4, but I'm just not sold.

It doesn't help all the discussion is him playing a role and being the best fit. 3&D with the #4 pick just doesn't excite me.

Lack of handle and shot creation concerns me. Being athletic is nice and defense is cool, but we need much more than a athletic 3&D role player imo.

Post #51 » by **yosemiteben** » Sun May 18, 2025 10:39 pm

His college stats and role compare extremely favorably to Castle, who you are saying you want to trade for. I'm not tracking why you would be concerned about VJ but want to give up assets for Castle.

JustBuzzin · Post #52 » by **JustBuzzin** » Sun May 18, 2025 10:46 pm

yosemiteben wrote:His college stats and role compare extremely favorably to Castle, who you are saying you want to trade for. I'm not tracking why you would be concerned about VJ but want to give up assets for Castle.

Totally disagree

Castle was the 4th option and was asked to fit in and play a role for a championship. Uconn had a strict offense and everyone shared the ball.

Also unlike VJ Castle brings shot creation and playmaking. He's much more than 3&D VJ.

If VJ had a consistent handle and shot creation I would be more sold. I just don't see it.

Post #53 » by **yosemiteben** » Sun May 18, 2025 10:59 pm

Castle isn't a 3 and D at all cause he can't shoot 3s. He was sub 30% in college and in his rookie season.

JustBuzzin · Post #54 » by **JustBuzzin** » Sun May 18, 2025 11:16 pm

yosemiteben wrote:Castle isn't a 3 and D at all cause he can't shoot 3s. He was sub 30% in college and in his rookie season.

Never called Castle 3&D lol

Castle is a shot creator who can be a connector if need be. He has a handle and can attack the paint. Right now yeah he has no 3 ball, but he can still improve. It's just year 1.

Winning ROTY is a positive sign for his development. Most didn't even think he would be in the conversation before the season.

Post #55 » by **yosemiteben** » Sun May 18, 2025 11:24 pm

Sorry, misread your post on the 3 and D point.

I don't understand why the assumption is that Castle is a superior creator. As a freshman VJ was second on his team in assists. Not sure how Castle's lack of shot creation in college gets forgiven, but somehow VJ is being framed as not having any despite actually doing more shot creation.

Honest question, because that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Post #56 » by **fatlever** » Sun May 18, 2025 11:32 pm

assuming castle had more obvious ball-handling in hs, aau, college is prob main difference.

vexco · Post #57 » by **vexco** » Mon May 19, 2025 12:51 am

yosemiteben wrote:Sorry, misread your post on the 3 and D point.

I don't understand why the assumption is that Castle is a superior creator. As a freshman VJ was second on his team in assists. Not sure how Castle's lack of shot creation in college gets forgiven, but somehow VJ is being framed as not having any despite actually doing more shot creation.

Honest question, because that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Because he has 1 year of pro experience to draw conclusions from but assumes that VJ won't show the same type of improvements. Makes 0 sense honestly. They're very similar players except VJ seems far more explosive with the ball in his hand.

JustBuzzin · Post #58 » by **JustBuzzin** » Mon May 19, 2025 1:47 am

vexco wrote:
yosemiteben wrote:Sorry, misread your post on the 3 and D point.

I don't understand why the assumption is that Castle is a superior creator. As a freshman VJ was second on his team in assists. Not sure how Castle's lack of shot creation in college gets forgiven, but somehow VJ is being framed as not having any despite actually doing more shot creation.

Honest question, because that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Because he has 1 year of pro experience to draw conclusions from but assumes that VJ won't show the same type of improvements. Makes 0 sense honestly. They're very similar players except VJ seems far more explosive with the ball in his hand.

They are similar to you.

I just view it differently. You comparing arhleticsim and defense, but ignoring Castle is much more comfortable as a ball handler and he can create off the dribble and for others.

VJ is more sloppy handle not much creation off the dribble. Sure he can attack the paint, but that's not shot creation. He's a slasher off the pump fake not so much off the dribble at least not consistently.

Also VJ has a decent 3pt shot which is why I label him 3&D. Castle doesn't have a 3pt shot the comparison doesn't make sense imo.

Hope I explained that well enough for you to understand. If you like VJ that's fine. I'm just speaking for me I don't see the hype.

vexco · Post #59 » by **vexco** » Mon May 19, 2025 4:05 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
vexco wrote:
yosemiteben wrote:Sorry, misread your post on the 3 and D point.

I don't understand why the assumption is that Castle is a superior creator. As a freshman VJ was second on his team in assists. Not sure how Castle's lack of shot creation in college gets forgiven, but somehow VJ is being framed as not having any despite actually doing more shot creation.

Honest question, because that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Because he has 1 year of pro experience to draw conclusions from but assumes that VJ won't show the same type of improvements. Makes 0 sense honestly. They're very similar players except VJ seems far more explosive with the ball in his hand.

They are similar to you.

I just view it differently. You comparing arhleticsim and defense, but ignoring Castle is much more comfortable as a ball handler and he can create off the dribble and for others.

VJ is more sloppy handle not much creation off the dribble. Sure he can attack the paint, but that's not shot creation. He's a slasher off the pump fake not so much off the dribble at least not consistently.

Also VJ has a decent 3pt shot which is why I label him 3&D. Castle doesn't have a 3pt shot the comparison doesn't make sense imo.

Hope I explained that well enough for you to understand. If you like VJ that's fine. I'm just speaking for me I don't see the hype.

VJ averaged more assists on slightly more usage. I don't feel like Castle is that much better at creating for others, if at all. (22%/24% usage). I can agree that Castle can create his own shot better. It's not something he really showed in college tho. I think VJ being able to hit a 3 will matter more for this team than Castle's shot creation. Curious to see what VJ can do attacking the paint and kicking out when he actually has good players around him, unlike at Baylor.

Bassman · Post #60 » by **Bassman** » Mon May 19, 2025 12:47 pm

If we do end up with VJ, he adds a different dynamic to the current mix. His handle is OK, hopefully can improve, and is better than Tre’s for sure. His understanding of the game will lag, as for most rookies, and he seems unsure of what to do at times on his college tape.

I see a great athlete who will compete hard and make plays that matter. His 3 point shot has clean form and should improve some. Passing is good. I understand the comps to Castle, more like spotting some similarities while somewhat different players on different style teams.