Welcome V.J. Edgecombe

[Sixersftw]

He's not Kyrie or anything, but I've been impressed with his ability to use his dribble to make plays happen. Handle was supposed to be a weak point but I don't see it. He looks competent at worst.

Yeah I think he been pretty solid navigating the PnR and organizing offense as the lead ball handler. I think he’ll be a good secondary ball handler anytime he’s playing with Maxey or McCain this year & will evolve into a higher usage player with time.

Everything I’ve seen in summer league is getting me excited to see him play with real NBA teammates.

All I've really seen are bobbles when he's still deciding what he's going to do. Once he's decided to attack, it's been solid and functional. With his athleticism and first step, that's all he needs to be pretty damn effective.

[Jailblazers7]

All I've really seen are bobbles when he's still deciding what he's going to do. Once he's decided to attack, it's been solid and functional. With his athleticism and first step, that's all he needs to be pretty damn effective.

For sure, and I’m willing to write off some of that due to it being Summer League. I expect him to be more decisive once he has a full training camp + preseason to develop chemistry with his teammates, get used to the offensive system, and fully acclimate to the speed of the game.

[Sixersftw]

All I've really seen are bobbles when he's still deciding what he's going to do. Once he's decided to attack, it's been solid and functional. With his athleticism and first step, that's all he needs to be pretty damn effective.

For sure, and I’m willing to write off some of that due to it being Summer League. I expect him to be more decisive once he has a full training camp + preseason to develop chemistry with his teammates, get used to the offensive system, and fully acclimate to the speed of the game.

I agree. I honestly have no doubt (and never really did) that his handle will get there. I'd love to see some positive progression with his finishing this season. Thats always been my biggest question mark. There's a very clear path to him being just unguardable on straight lines.

[Iverson Armband]

All I've really seen are bobbles when he's still deciding what he's going to do. Once he's decided to attack, it's been solid and functional. With his athleticism and first step, that's all he needs to be pretty damn effective.

For sure, and I’m willing to write off some of that due to it being Summer League. I expect him to be more decisive once he has a full training camp + preseason to develop chemistry with his teammates, get used to the offensive system, and fully acclimate to the speed of the game.

I agree. I honestly have no doubt (and never really did) that his handle will get there. I'd love to see some positive progression with his finishing this season. Thats always been my biggest question mark. There's a very clear path to him being just unguardable on straight lines.

His handle is passable right now for a role player. Improving his handle to where we need it be so that he becomes a star is one of the hardest things to do. Not sure how anyone could have no doubt about that.

[Sixersftw]

For sure, and I’m willing to write off some of that due to it being Summer League. I expect him to be more decisive once he has a full training camp + preseason to develop chemistry with his teammates, get used to the offensive system, and fully acclimate to the speed of the game.

I agree. I honestly have no doubt (and never really did) that his handle will get there. I'd love to see some positive progression with his finishing this season. Thats always been my biggest question mark. There's a very clear path to him being just unguardable on straight lines.

His handle is passable right now for a role player. Improving his handle to where we need it be so that he becomes a star is one of the hardest things to do. Not sure how anyone could have no doubt about that.

1) I said solid and effective. 2) I never thought his handle was that bad to begin with, even though it still looks better than I anticipated. My major concern with VJ was, and still is, finishing.

[Iverson Armband]

I agree. I honestly have no doubt (and never really did) that his handle will get there. I'd love to see some positive progression with his finishing this season. Thats always been my biggest question mark. There's a very clear path to him being just unguardable on straight lines.

His handle is passable right now for a role player. Improving his handle to where we need it be so that he becomes a star is one of the hardest things to do. Not sure how anyone could have no doubt about that.

1) I said solid and effective. 2) I never thought his handle was that bad to begin with, even though it still looks better than I anticipated. My major concern with VJ was, and still is, finishing.

Yeah, I respect your opinion, but I’m actually more concerned with his handle than his finishing. I think his natural athleticism and NBA spacing will help with that part of his game. He can’t get a high volume of shots off consistently right now in the half court because of his dribble. Dribbling, and being creative with your movements off the dribble can be improved, but IMO that’s more of you either have it or you don’t have it by this age. He will be a good player and his handle is servicable, but if he can’t get more creative with his dribble that severely limits his ceiling.

[76ciology]

His handle is passable right now for a role player. Improving his handle to where we need it be so that he becomes a star is one of the hardest things to do. Not sure how anyone could have no doubt about that.

I don’t agree that his handle is only passable for a role player. I think his handle is actually solid, just not quite at an All-Star level yet. He consistently uses his weak hand when bringing the ball up, which already puts him ahead of someone like Dylan Harper, who still struggles with his off-hand.

Spoiler:

Look how often he uses his off-hand in handling the ball

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Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]
[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

There’s also a clear difference when VJ plays point guard compared to guys like Judah Mintz or JHS, both of whom often have trouble controlling the ball or creating plays for others.

In 2 games, VJ is currently averaging 20 PPG 8 RPG and 4 APG, a 28% assist rate, and just 8% turnover rate. He can get to his spots in the midrange, create advantages, make the right reads, push in transition, and get into the paint. That’s more than just passable, it’s the profile of a real primary initiator in development.

[Iverson Armband]

His handle is passable right now for a role player. Improving his handle to where we need it be so that he becomes a star is one of the hardest things to do. Not sure how anyone could have no doubt about that.

I don’t agree that his handle is only passable for a role player. I think his handle is actually solid, just not quite at an All-Star level yet. He consistently uses his weak hand when bringing the ball up, which already puts him ahead of someone like Dylan Harper, who still struggles with his off-hand.

Spoiler:

Look how often he uses his off-hand in handling the ball

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]
[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

There’s also a clear difference when VJ plays point guard compared to guys like Judah Mintz or JHS, both of whom often have trouble controlling the ball or creating plays for others.

In 2 games, VJ is currently averaging 20 PPG 8 RPG and 4 APG, a 28% assist rate, and just 8% turnover rate. He can get to his spots in the midrange, create advantages, make the right reads, push in transition, and get into the paint. That’s more than just passable, it’s the profile of a real primary initiator in development.

If you’re telling me VJ is a better ball handler than Dylan Harper, we can just end the discussion right here and save some time.

Spoiler: He’s also not a better ball handler than Mintz. Idc what stats you want to throw out there, use your eyes.

[76ciology]

Watch how Harper’s weak off hand ball-handling

Spoiler:

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

[Iverson Armband]

Watch how Harper’s weak off hand ball-handling

Spoiler:

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

[x]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

Are you joking?

[Jailblazers7]

The encouraging thing to me about VJ’s handle is that he already has pretty good pace and body manipulation to keep a defender on his hip. Ball control is something that he can develop more easily with practice but it’s much harder to teach pace - which speaks to his feel for the game.

Similar thing with finishing imo - his touch is pretty good but his level of craft & footwork is where he struggles. He can acquire better footwork & technique but it’s hard to teach touch.

[phillynative]

He will obviously have to work on both his finishing and handles. My concern is how much on ball reps will he get during the season with Maxey, McCain and possibly Grimes...

[MikRay]

VJ looked bad last night hopefully he plays tonight, but I did not like what I saw last evening

[phillynative]

VJ looked bad last night hopefully he plays tonight, but I did not like what I saw last evening

Other than him not shooting the ball well, what looked bad?

[eyeatoma]

VJ looked bad last night hopefully he plays tonight, but I did not like what I saw last evening

Other than him not shooting the ball well, what looked bad?

Don't feed the troll.

[Jailblazers7]

He will obviously have to work on both his finishing and handles. My concern is how much on ball reps will he get during the season with Maxey, McCain and possibly Grimes...

I think he’ll get his fair share of reps if we play a faster pace. McCain is a guy who is willing to get off the ball quickly & Maxey and Grimes both have experience in off ball roles. I hope we play with more ball & player movement this year to take advantage of the skill we have on the perimeter.

[MikRay]

VJ looked bad last night hopefully he plays tonight, but I did not like what I saw last evening

Other than him not shooting the ball well, what looked bad?

I thought the ball handling was substandard and not as aggressive as I would’ve liked.

[76ciology]

I agree with what Morey said when asked about what VJ needs to improve.. it’s shooting on the move.

From a team perspective, we have several guards, and I can see us playing 2–3 of them together in lineups that rely on multiple dribble drives to generate good looks. In those actions, it’s crucial for players to be able to shoot while moving, whether off the dribble, off screens, or after relocating.

Improving his ability to shoot on the move will make VJ a more dynamic offensive threat. With his high release and elevation, defenders already have trouble contesting his shot. If he can add a reliable stepback 3 and more consistent shooting off movement, defenders will be forced to stick to him, opening up driving lanes and letting him use his speed to blow past them.

Right now, he can get to the paint, get to the line, and create looks in the midrange, but his 3pt shooting is still lagging behind.

I believe he can atleast become as good a shot creator as Tyrese Maxey, who also doesn’t have the deepest bag outside of his stepback three and straight line drives, while being a better mid range scorer, defender and more effective finisher around the rim.

[76ciology]

VJ looked bad last night hopefully he plays tonight, but I did not like what I saw last evening

VJ struggled in the first half and didn’t get a few clear calls from the refs, but he bounced back strong.. finishing with 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the second half and making key plays down the stretch.

[Negrodamus]

Watch on YouTube

My expectations this year are definitely tempered, but he provides exactly the things we've been missing. His rebounding and effort are excellent. Rim pressure, interior passing, even simple passing... it's just a type of game we haven't really had recently and it complements well with McCain, Maxey and Embiid. He still ball watches way too much on defense. He also needs to figure out that extra step into space when driving. I don't think he's going to be filled out enough to be a force of any kind this season, but I do think he can be a fringe double digit scorer off the bench and provide much needed sparks on both end off the bench. I'm excited to see what he's going to offer this year.