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One of the main schools of thought stemming from the “there’s only one ball to go around” critique of this year’s Sixers team was that it would hinder the development of VJ Edgecombe, especially going into a crucial second season.
Five games into his sophomore season and that hasn’t been a problem at all for the guard from Baylor. The Sixers have won all five games he’s appeared in and he’s made big plays down the stretch in just about all of them.
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As the New York Knicks looked prime to pull off a devastating comeback in Philadelphia, Edgecombe hit a three to extend the Sixers’ one-point lead to four with 32 seconds remaining. It’s the type of clutch shotmaking the coaching staff has come to expect from Edgecombe after he made a habit of it his rookie year.
“He just does that, it’s really who he is,” head coach Nick Nurse said after the game. “We all know it.”
Nurse, nor any Sixer, had a problem with Edgecombe taking that shot despite missing his previous three attempts from deep on the night. He plays with a level of fearlessness and confidence that’s earned that trust from his teammates.
Even some of his newest teammates have picked on Edgecombe’s knack for big moments.
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“He doesn’t shy away from the moment,” LeBron James said. “[He’s a] young, young kid, but thrives in the moment.”
It was a bit relieving that it was a three ball from Edgecombe that saved the day. For all his contributions this season, shooting the ball from deep has been one of his rare struggles. He’s shot just 29% from three through his first five games of the campaign.
“Early I haven’t been making a lot of threes, but they’re gonna fall, and I’m gonna keep shooting the ball,” Edgecombe said. “Tonight, even though I was 0-for-3 at the time, I still shot it. That’s just the confidence I have in myself.”
What Edgecombe has done a great job of this year is using the attention of his superstar teammates to cut into wide open lanes and scoop up easy baskets. He’s also become one of the best rebounders on the team while usually guarding the other team’s best player.
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He’s done an especially good job cutting for Joel…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vj-edgecombe-ready-moment-yet-164500232.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-31 16:45:00
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