Joel Embiid believes the Philadelphia 76ers found a future superstar. After a fearless playoff debut, this dynamic rookie is proving he can alleviate Philadelphia’s heavy offensive burden.
“Philly got a good one in him. He’s the guy. I’m telling you guys, [VJ] is something different. And this was only year one. Year two is gonna be better. Year three even better. He has a chance to be extremely special," Joel Embiid said.
Embiid’s praise of V.J. Edgecombe sounded less like a veteran simply supporting a young teammate and more like a franchise star recognizing what the Philadelphia 76ers may have found. In a season filled with injuries, inconsistency, and another disappointing playoff ending, Edgecombe became one of the few clear bright spots.
As a rookie, Edgecombe has shown all of the qualities that you would want out of a lead ball handler. He’s quick, strong, a solid finisher at the rim, and a good three-point shooter, something that was questioned before he was drafted. This has been a boon for a 76ers team that can look too dependent on Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid to create offense.
That showed throughout his rookie season. Edgecombe averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while shooting 43 percent from the field, production that showed he was more than just a long-term project. He was already a rotation-level contributor with room to grow. His ability to impact the game without needing everything called for him made him especially valuable next to Maxey, who often carried too much of Philadelphia’s creative burden.
His biggest statement came in Game 7 against Boston. With Philadelphia trying to complete a 3-1 comeback, Edgecombe scored 23 points in a 109-100 road win. Embiid and Maxey carried the headline production, but Edgecombe’s scoring gave the Sixers a third offensive punch and helped prove he could survive in a high-stakes playoff environment.
The Knicks series was more uneven, including a quieter Game 4 as New York overwhelmed Philadelphia from three. But that is part of the rookie experience. What mattered more was that Edgecombe did not look overwhelmed by the postseason stage overall.
For the Sixers, his growth changes the conversation about the future. Embiid and Paul George are still a part of the expensive veteran core, but Maxey and Edgecombe give Philadelphia a younger, faster foundation. Edgecombe still has to become more consistent as a shooter and decision-maker, but the tools are clear, and his potential seems limitless.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.