Paul George is forging a connection with promising rookie VJ Edgecombe, who's already defying expectations. This mentorship signals exciting potential for the Philadelphia 76ers.
VJ Edegcombe's rookie season has already given the Philadelphia 76ers a glimpse of his massive potential, and his teammate, Paul George, has taken notice.
In a recent interview, George spoke highly of the rookie, saying Edgecombe "wants to see what I'm seeing" and adding that the relationship between the two is "natural." This is a telling sign that George is mentoring Philadelphia's young prospect and has loved what he has seen.
The relationship stands out because Edgecombe has not played like a typical rookie. He has averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 43.8% from the field and 35.4% from three. Edgecombe has shown he is comfortable scoring from all three levels, operating with or without the ball, and running and scoring in transition. His skill set and athleticism fit the mold for what teams look for in their wings.
While George is not a direct comparison for Edgecombe, the stylistic overlap is hard to ignore. Both entered the league as explosive, athletic wings with defensive upside and developing offensive games. George turned that foundation into one of the best two-way wings to ever play the sport. Edgecombe is showing similar flashes, although he is more advanced as an offensive player, while George was the superior defender as a young player.
George's influence extends beyond his own production. He has become a blueprint for younger wings across the league thanks to his combination of skill, length, and athleticism. Brandon Miller once called George his basketball "G.O.A.T.," citing how much he studied his game growing up. That kind of respect shows the impact George is having on the next generation, as many players are trying to model their game around him.
For the Sixers, the value of having George as a mentor is immense. Edgecombe's production is already great, but having a teammate like George, who had a similar athletic profile, could accelerate his growth.
If Edgecombe's rookie year is any indication, then his development into a player of George's caliber is off to a great start.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.