PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia 76ers prepare for opening night against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday after wrapping up the preseason, the focus for rookie VJ Edgecombe is now turned to preparing for his maiden season in the league.
There will be some aspects of the game that coach Nick Nurse will be looking for from Edgecombe. That is to be a pesky defender and to knock down open looks from the perimeter. In the preseason, the No. 3 overall pick was able to show off a little bit of both as he has bothered ball-handlers defensively.
With that being said, one has to wonder how Edgecombe has been able to develop as an NBA defender despite not yet playing in an official game.
“I watch Jrue Holiday,” Edgecombe started. “I watch Lu Dort, Derrick White, guys I watch right there. Just, I just want to learn, man. I learn from anybody. Anyone can teach you how to play defense. I feel like the offensive player, like a really good offensive player, can teach you how to play defense just because he know how he don’t like to be guarded from everybody.”
Coach Nick Nurse recently stated that he has been impressed with Edgecombe’s ability to get over screens and to stick with his opponent. Along with watching film of legitimate NBA defenders, it comes down to a pride thing.
“Just comes with having pride on defense,” Edgecombe added. “I care about playing defense so that’s what it comes to. Just being locked, in knowing tendencies of players, watching basketball. I’m watching other great defenders. See how everyone has different tactics on how to get over the screens stuff like that. So just learning, to be honest. I feel that’s what helped me a lot. Just trying to implement different parts of my game.”
As far as the shot is concerned, Edgecombe still has some work to do. He does need to get in the gym and continue to put up jumpers in order to truly make a mark in that respect, but the rookie is remaining confident in his shot and he’s going to pull the trigger when he has the opportunity to do so.
“I’m super confident in my shot,” he added. “I’m gonna shoot it when I’m open. My teammates pass me the ball, and I’m gonna shoot the ball. I mean, I work on it. I put a lot of reps, and I’m gonna continue working on it. That’s not something if I see, ‘Oh, I’m making a lot of shots, I’m gonna stop working now.’ Every day. I’m gonna work on my shot. Just keep getting better and better and better.”
If Edgecombe continues to talk like this–and back it up with the work–then he is going to be in a great spot for Philadelphia as the season gets underway. The Sixers will need him to improve as a shooter and provide the necessary floor spacing to earn playing time.