Some outside observers have expressed concern that having so many stars on the Sixers might affect VJ Edgecombe‘s development, but the second-year guard isn’t worried about that, Chris Hine of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes in a subscriber-only story. Speaking to reporters Saturday at his youth basketball camp, Edgecombe said he welcomes the additions of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
“It don’t matter what happens, there’s always going to be someone that has something to say,” Edgecombe said. “But I just want to win. I’m going to still be aggressive, still be myself. If that comes with less shots or more shots, who knows. I don’t know how the course of the game is going to go. I’m just excited to play alongside my teammates. I think we have a chance to do something really special.”
Edgecombe is coming off a fantastic first season where he averaged 16 PPG and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting. He was viewed as a rising star playing alongside Tyrese Maxey in the Sixers’ backcourt, but his immediate role may have changed after the team’s productive offseason. Rather than dwelling on that, Edgecombe views it as a learning opportunity.
“(I’ll) have a bunch of questions, so I’m going to have to control myself when it comes to asking questions,” he said. “I’m totally excited. It’s such a blessing. I’m going into Year 2, playing alongside my favorite player ever (James). … That’s the main thing for me — just learning, getting to know them. They’re all great persons. Down to earth, (they’re) not acting super big-time like they are, but they’re really a bunch of humble men. I’m just glad to be around them.”
There’s more from Philadelphia:
In an interview with Sam Yip of HoopsHype, Maxey says he’s working to improve his leadership, playmaking skills and defense for the upcoming season. He also addresses the hierarchy for taking clutch shots with so many high-level scorers on the team, saying it will often depend on the circumstances. “I think the biggest thing is we can’t have anybody, nobody on this team can have an ego,” Maxey said. “We have two guys that have won regular-season MVPs, two guys that have won Finals MVPs, multiple gold medal winners on this team, multiple 25-plus points per game, All-Stars, All-NBA. We’re all pretty accomplished. So the ego has to drop and you have to do it collectively.”
Mark Medina of Ratings talks to Brown’s trainer about the changes his client will encounter playing in Philadelphia. “He’s going to see a lot more one-on-one coverages this year,” Dash Lovell said of Brown. “Why would you double on that team? Who are you going to double off of on that team? Maxey? No. Are you going to double off ‘Bron? LeBron is one of the best cutters in NBA history. If you watch LeBron off the ball, he doesn’t have to stand to catch-and-shoot. If you turn your back, he’s going to cut. He’s going to get six or eight points just off of cuts.”
Brown joined James and Maxey for a workout Wednesday morning in Los Angeles, relays Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link).