Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson clearly recognizes V.J. Edgecombe is a special rookie.
Philadelphia 76ers guard V.J. Edgecombe showcased his potential from right out of the gates.
In Edgecombe's NBA regular season debut against the Boston Celtics, he scored 34 points on 50% shooting in 42 minutes of action. The performance proved the 20-year-old possesses a level of aggression and confidence few his age are capable of matching. He has only built on those traits since then, and others are taking notice, including 76ers legend Allen Iverson.
Iverson, in a sit-down conversation with Edgecombe, claimed the rookie has the one trait that cannot be taught.
"The one thing I love about you the most is yes, you have all the intangibles," Iverson said. "You have everything that it takes, you know what I mean? It's only going to get better, but you got the one thing that you cannot teach, and that's that dog."
Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson. © Kyle Ross-Imagn ImagesEdgecombe's tenacity on both ends of the floor is reflected not only when watching him play but also through the stat sheet.
The former Baylor Bear is averaging 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals on 43.8% shooting and 35.7% shooting from three-point range. He has appeared in 72 games for Philadelphia this season, which ranks No. 7 in games played among rookies.
Edgecombe plays with no fear. Whether it's his numerous poster dunk attempts on centers or not hesitating to pull a shot from the outside, his competitive spirit is easy to observe.
When the stars were sidelined for the Sixers, Edgecombe was among those to step up in a major way. Those games were a sneak peek for fans into what his future could look like. One of the best examples was his performance against the Sacramento Kings on March 19, when he recorded 38 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds on 57.1% shooting in 39 minutes.
The next test for Edgecombe will hopefully be the postseason, assuming the 76ers end up with a guaranteed playoff spot or battle their way out of the Play-In Tournament. There's no better time for him to prove he has "that dog" in him than when all eyes are on him.
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