The VJ Edgecombe thread

[Hornet Mania]

If he's a better shooting (and healthy) version of Oladipo that would fit what this team's needs like a glove.

[fatlever]

a hybrid of lavine, oladipo, suggs, caruso, mathurin - thats a guy we've needed.
suggs isnt exciting, but he impacts winning.
its not a home run swing, but its a perfect fit between melo/miller.

[KingCat]

My biggest fear in drafting him is coach Lee will have no idea what to do with him on offense considering his discount Celtics offense we saw him throw out last season

I could already see VJ in the MKG corner of shame and it fking up his longterm development

[JustBuzzin]

My biggest fear and drafting him is we end up with a role player not a actual game changer.

Having someone who fits with Melo/Miller doesn't mean much because neither have shown they can win consistently as a duo.

[fatlever]

My biggest fear in drafting him is coach Lee will have no idea what to do with him on offense considering his discount Celtics offense we saw him throw out last season

I could already see VJ in the MKG corner of shame and it fking up his longterm development

if lee insists on that basic vanilla no movement offense we saw last year, just guys taking turns trying to beat 2 defenders off a predictable top of key screen - then we need to draft fears or tre. fears to beat the trap, tre to shoot in corners.

[KingCat]

My biggest fear and drafting him is we end up with a role player not a actual game changer.

Having someone who fits with Melo/Miller doesn't mean much because neither have shown they can win consistently as a duo.

Yeah someone sell me on drafting him cause he is the BPA. Don't sell him cause he may fit well with guys who sadly may not even be here 1 or 2 seasons from now.

[fatlever]

Speaking of Wiggins from the ace thread, watching the KOC podcast today with Tate Frazier and they called vj 6 foot 5 wiggins. Said the Fit is good between melo and Miller but why is a 19 win team drafting for fit. If they take best player available they probably go Tre. its fair.

[wilson115]

Unlike VJ here, Wiggins never had any playmaking to speak of, so odd comparison. Between the D and the potential as a secondary playmaker, more inclined to call VJ's comp at this point Jalen Williams without the octopus arms.

Also unlike Wiggins, it didn't take VJ years to embrace learning to contribute in ways other than just chucking it. The willingness to do the dirty work, roleplayer mentality, clearly the biggest thing that separates him from guys like Ace "I practice scoring against triple-teams" B---.

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[SWedd523]

I don't get the "fit over talent" narrative for VJ.

I don't think he's a fit pick and I don't think he's necessarily a good fit in general. Neither is Ace, nor Tre.

Remember last week when Ace was being overrated and slid down boards? Now it's VJs turn. Next week it'll be someone else.

VJ just happens to be in that next tier down from Harper so it's an obvious potential choice

[JMAC3]

If I had to base the pick just on what we hear right now in the draft smoke stuff, VJ would be the most likely pick.
VJ 45%
Ace 30%
10% Tre
10% Kon
5% other

[JMAC3]

The defense in those Kansas State highlights is terrible lol...

Straight line driver after straight line drive along with a bunch of wide open shots. I just don't know if I trust his skill levels as a shooter, handler and passer. I agree he do the bare minimum on all three but once he gets to the NBA I haven't seen any type of hesitation, spins, side to side crosses that are going to make him difficult to guard with the ball in his hands, it is pretty much grab and launch himself at the rim which is why he shot really poorly in the half court at the rim for year 48%.

I don't think he has shown much skill as a finisher outside of dunking, does he ever use the slow down moves, euros, floaters? That is the kind of stuff he will need to do in the NBA because at his size he isn't going to be jumping over everyone every single night.

[Bassman]

Yeah the Locked On Hornets podcast guys ran with O’Connor’s statement, which said (paraphrasing) “VJ’s interview with the Hornets was outstanding. He’s now a lock at 4 if he is available there”. Nata Edwards and the hosts aren’t convinced he’s absolutely a lock but do feel VJ is likely a Hornets if the Sixers don’t grab him.

[JMAC3]

Last year the Hornets kept it close to the vest and the rumor of us liking Salaun didn't come out until 24hrs before the draft via Kristen Peak. Same owners, same front office so idk if I trust the "Hornets have eyes for Edgecombe" stuff that we are seeing always. Maybe it is true and I am fine with it because I would really hate our draft if we made a dumb pick like Maluach at 4th or reached for Kon, I highly prefer VJ to those 2.

[luciano-davidwesley]

I won't be upset if we take VJ, I think he has a good mix of fit, ready to play now athletic upside.

However, if we select him at 4 and Tre Johnson, Ace Bailey and Jeremiah Fears all end up better players are we going to be happy we drafted him still because of his perceived fit? Or are we going to be upset that we passed over guys that ended up better?

I dont think VJ is a fit proposition. I think he's BPA. I haven't seen any post suggesting we draft him due to fit.

If he's the best fit that's just gravy.

[fatlever]

I would clarify that no one is suggesting drafting VJ only because of fit. I think a few of us, my self included, have mentioned that he's preferred because he's in the same tier as the other three and the fit is the best, imo. But I think all the guys in the same tier could have an argument made for fit based off of what each of us thinks is most important. The key point here is drafting vj at 4 is not a reach regardless.

[JMAC3]

I would clarify that no one is suggesting drafting VJ only because of fit. I think a few of us, my self included, have mentioned that he's preferred because he's in the same tier as the other three and the fit is the best, imo. But I think all the guys in the same tier could have an argument made for fit based off of what each of us thinks is most important. The key point here is drafting vj at 4 is not a reach regardless.

Right, we can play the same tier game all we want but fit is getting talked about a lot. So let's assume we end up taking VJ at 4, the rational in the moment will be same tier, best fit. What I am asking is if Tre Johnson or Ace fall and we take VJ, but both of those guys become allstars are we going to look back and be fine with VJ as the pick? or is it going to be a mad house because they are better? If that is our process we need to be happy with the process and not come back hindsight and be 100% results oriented.

[LofJ]

The fit versus BPA argument is important, especially if you're not committed to a core group of players like I suspect is the case here. If they don't think they can build a winning team around LaMelo then fit really shouldn't be a consideration.

If that's the case I get it, LaMelo is really talented, but he's unreliable and immature. He's not a disaster off the court like Zion thankfully so I'm fairly confident the return on any trade would be decent. I've said it before, but I think any hypothetical trade needs to return a primary playmaker, so if a combination of LaMelo and other assets can bring back Harper I think us fans should be happy with that.

[Hornet Mania]

My biggest fear in drafting him is coach Lee will have no idea what to do with him on offense considering his discount Celtics offense we saw him throw out last season

I could already see VJ in the MKG corner of shame and it fking up his longterm development

I can definitely understand that. But I also think if that crappier version of the Celtics offense is all he has to offer us in year two he should be out on his ass next April so I'd probably pick BPA no matter what.

Lee is in just as much a 'prove it' year as Melo or anyone else imo. I cut him slack for last year, but he has to show growth. I hope the front office feels the same.

FWIW I think VJ is the best fit and BPA in this case. I'd rank him over Tre and Ace.

[Liver_Pooty]

I still think he won’t be there at 4. Unfortunately.

[JustBuzzin]

I won't be upset if we take VJ, I think he has a good mix of fit, ready to play now athletic upside.

However, if we select him at 4 and Tre Johnson, Ace Bailey and Jeremiah Fears all end up better players are we going to be happy we drafted him still because of his perceived fit? Or are we going to be upset that we passed over guys that ended up better?

I dont think VJ is a fit proposition. I think he's BPA. I haven't seen any post suggesting we draft him due to fit.

If he's the best fit that's just gravy.

How is he the BPA with a weak handle, no shot creation, no playmaking. All I hear is he's athletic and can play defense. That screams role player.

Both Ace and Tre can get their own shot although Ace ball handling is also a question mark. I have Fears ahead of VJ as well. I have a hard time seeing VJ turning into a star when you can't really give him the ball and he can go get his own offense. Those other 3 can do that at least from what I have seen.