CAMDEN, N.J. — The s will area one of many extra gifted groups within the league when contemplating the star energy on this roster. The Sixers have been in a position to land Jaylen Brown and LeBron James within the offseason to affix Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and younger VJ Edgecombe in an effort to chase a championship within the upcoming season.
With that being stated, one has to marvel concerning the progress and improvement of Edgecombe. Because the No. 3 decide of the 2025 draft heads into 12 months No. 2, the younger guard figures to take a backseat to Brown, James, and others as Philadelphia prioritizes successful over improvement, however Edgecombe isn't apprehensive about any of that.
In actual fact, Edgecombe has been barking at James in an effort to get him in control.
"No, I'm myself," Edgecombe stated after the primary day of coaching camp. "I'm myself. I instructed him, I used to be like, ‘Yo, Bron, we acquired to change that. We acquired to do it.’ We maintain one another accountable. We're teammates now, man. It's no stress taking part in alongside him. It's enjoyable. If it's something, it's extra enjoyable than stress. Clearly, all of the eyes are on us. So it's extra enjoyable than I’d say stress."
Clearly, James is without doubt one of the smartest gamers to ever contact a basketball, however on the flip aspect, this can be a new state of affairs for him. Edgecombe is taking it upon himself to get his new teammate in control. Whereas one can assume there shall be some starstruck moments the place one will have a look at James and marvel, however Edgecombe is making an attempt to get him on the identical web page.
"I instructed him you bought to change," Edgecombe added. "We forgot. We tousled a swap, however that's what occurs. Like I stated, we’re attending to know one another. It's a brand new system for him. Simply every thing's on the fly proper now, however total, I’d say it was nice."
Subsequently, Edgecombe isn't apprehensive about any stress that would presumably be positioned upon him. This can be a distinctive state of affairs for a 21-year-old, however he isn't working away from it. He's taking it head on and utilizing his voice to essentially make a big effect for this group.
"I'm simply making an attempt to encourage my teammates, simply discuss, be vocal," Edgecombe defined. "Clearly we critique one another at instances, however that's what occurs. It occurs within the sport of basketball, however we’re constructing that relationship. If I’ve one thing to say, I don't need it to be from a voice that's not heard. I wish to be vocal the place it's clearly like, OK, if I inform them to do one thing, they'll be like, ‘OK.’ Ain't like that is my first time saying one thing."
Whereas the Sixers have some pure leaders who can communicate up and ensure all people is targeted, the younger Edgecombe was the one who has been vocal for this group. It's spectacular for Philadelphia to see him use his voice at this early stage of his profession.
"It's necessary that I try this," he completed. "It's necessary that I voice myself. We’re all males, we’re all males, and we’re all going to hear to one another. We’d not do what you need us to do precisely, however we’re all going to hear to one another. We’re going to listen to one another out. It's all a respect type of factor."
This text initially appeared on Sixers Wire: s
