VJ Edgecombe missed the Sixers‘ game on Friday against the Magic due to hip soreness, as Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Pompey notes that despite receiving a day-to-day injury designation, Edgecombe was a part of shootaround this morning and will be a participant in practice next week, barring a setback.
Staying healthy is crucial for Edgecombe, especially since he has an opportunity to play a big role for the Sixers this season. Tony Jones of The Athletic writes that the rookie guard has a real shot at being a starter, though his role could hinge in large part on the health of Paul George and Joel Embiid.
Regardless of whether he starts or not, Edgecombe should be in line for plenty of minutes this year, according to Jones, who highlights Edgecombe’s ability to play as a pick-and-roll ball-handler and passer off the dribble as a more underrated part of his skill set. As is the case for many athletic guards, Edgecombe’s development will hinge on how good he can become as a shooter and ball-handler.
We have more notes from around the Atlantic Division:
- As part of the Celtics‘ plan to reset their books with Jayson Tatum injured, the team brought in younger, unproven players to try to rebuild its depth following the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. One such player who has stood out so far, according to Brian Robb of MassLive, is Josh Minott. The 23-year-old forward, who came to Boston after three years with the Wolves, showed a bit of everything except for shooting in the Celtics’ preseason game on Wednesday. While all of the Celtics’ young players played well on Wednesday, Robb writes, Minott’s hustle and defensive ability stood out. Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe (subscription required) echoed that sentiment, while adding that Minott’s versatility could allow him to carve out a role in head coach Joe Mazzulla‘s game plan.
- The Knicks are still adjusting to Mike Brown‘s offense, but there’s excitement about the changes the new head coach is bringing to the team, with second-year Knick Mikal Bridges expressing appreciation for Brown’s approach, writes Ian Begley for SNY. “He and his coaches, they all run a tight ship. You can tell that whatever we’re doing out there, they’re all on the same page, no matter what the situation is,” Bridges said. “And that’s a lot of credit to him… for everybody to be on the same page makes it easier for us players when they talk to us because any coach you talk to, you’re going to hear the same thing.” Brown knows it’s going to be a process to incorporate his changes. “Right now, I don’t care if we win or lose, as long as we keep trying to play the right way and trust it,” he said. “I want them to learn how to play basketball the right way offensively within our staples. That’s pace, whether it’s in the full court or the half court… If you hit that paint and you don’t have the ball, don’t just stand there. Get out right now and re-space to create more opportunities for driving and kicking…. Space the right way all the time… Hey, it hits your hands, shoot it, pass it, snap drive it to try to collapse the defense. Those are things that we believe in.”
- With 14 Raptors on guaranteed standard contracts, head coach Darko Rajakovic is unsure if the team will fill its 15th spot for the regular season, indicating on Friday that Toronto is weighing its options, per TSN’s Josh Lewenberg (via Twitter). A.J. Lawson would likely be the favorite if the team does carry a 15th man, Lewenberg notes. Lawson was a standout for the Raptors’ Summer League team and has averaged 4.0 points in 5.4 minutes through two preseason games.
You don’t want to start VJ. Where is he going to play ?? He’s a SG same position as Maxey. You don’t even need him to play big mins on a vet team. His turn will come.
Bridges is the player Knicks need most to level up offensively. So please play the right way. Coach Brown taking from LB ….. “Play the right Way”
Probably picked that up under Pops.
Maxey isn’t a SG.
Not super hard to figure out considering the last time the Sixers played the Knicks, they started
Tyrese Maxey
Quentin Grimes
Paul George
Kelly Oubre
Andre Drummond
How confusing this must be for you since you think Miles McBride is a PG lol
I played PG and not on video games. I have coached and follow ball all my life. A passion a hobby.
You would have to understand the game to understand what a PG is. It’s clear you don’t know what a PG does. Offenses especially in NBA don’t all use PGs. Their offensive system doesn’t need a true PG like (CP3). Probably the only PG YOU understand.
And even ones like Luka, Harden, Murray don’t play the traditional PG role. Their team offense is built around their ability to score. Therefore causing the defense to defend them or their offense. SGA is not a PG. Maxey is not a PG, Kyrie is close imo he’s a scoring PG not a run the offense PG. A real PG runs the offense and manages the game. Learn the game and you might actually appreciate watching it more. You may actually understand the importance of managing games.
In Kentucky Maxey never played the point. Ashton Hagans played the point. Sixers don’t have a true PG just like TWolves don’t have a true PG. That is what Harden did to the position.
McBride played PG at West Virginia. I doubt you ever watched him yet now you are a McBride expert.
Learn your history and why players were called PGs.
Cause there are fewer PGs today.
Have you ever played organized basketball????
Even 10 yr olds learn what a PG does.
“In Kentucky Maxey never played the point. Ashton Hagans played the point. Sixers don’t have a true PG just like TWolves don’t have a true PG.”
And Immanuel Quickley played SMALL FORWARD at Kentucky, next to those very players you just named.
What position does he play in the NBA?
(Read: A more competitive league than you ever sniffed).
I imagine VJ Edgecombe won’t have any less trouble playing next to Tyrese Maxey than Quentin Grimes or any other NBA guard would. You say some really stupid things sometimes. But do keep digging your head in the sand and failing to take accountability for them.
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“Learn your history and why players were called PGs.
Cause there are fewer PGs today.”
I do know my NBA history. Traditional point guards are an outdated concept, just like traditional anything at any position. You’re the one who didn’t adapt and evolve, clinging to the notions of your boyhood. The game passed you by, and you prove it every time you try to speak on it.
BTW, how does Lonzo Ball need to change his game? You forgot to mention that the other day. Someone who is soooo passionate, and knowledgeable, especially about the PG position (LOL) surely wouldn’t struggle with that question.
LOL i’m a knicks fan but good on you for ripping this guy a new cyber-bunghole.
How bad did Morey F this draft up? I wasn’t 100% sold on Ace bc of his handle issues and inability to drive on lesser talent in college but he was the best bucket getter and 6-7/6-8.
VJ is great I like him better than Ace. I’m also convinced you could draft or sign the healthiest least likely to be injured player in the league and the moment he puts on a Sixers jersey the injuries are inevitable.
Mikal if he wasn’t traded probably misses 60% of his games during his rookie contract here. I agree lol.
Sixers had one of best drafts lol. VJ is a star. Just don’t rush it or let Morey f it up. Broome is a solid big who is 23 yrs old. And can help now. Sixers are all with PG so what would Bailey do.
Ace wouldn’t play well on the Sixers, they don’t need more mid-range scoring. And he made it very clear he didn’t want to get drafted there.
VJ is a better fit for what they need (athleticsm and defense). Ace wouldn’t get any touches next to Embiid, George, Maxey, Grimes, and even Oubre. He’ll be great in Utah getting shots for a 20-win team, it’d be a different story on a team with playoff aspirations.