PHILADELPHIA — The NBA is, obviously, a much different game than in college. Not only are the players more talented, but they’re grown men compared to some of the players on the college level. Throw that challenge along with the amount of games that are thrown at you and it can be a challenge for rookies to respond.

For Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe, he has been hit with a lot through his first 10 games. He has averaged 37.6 minutes a night and has gone through three back-to-backs already. That is a lot for veterans to handle let alone a 20 year old rookie looking to make his mark in the NBA.

He has handled it well averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 36.5% from deep, but the effort has been inconsistent as he has shown signs of fatigue in moments. After the loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday, big man Andre Drummond gave Edgecombe some serious advice.

“I just told him on the way out, ‘Don’t get up until 6 p.m. tomorrow’,” Drummond laughed. “On the way out of the locker room, he looks exhausted. So, I mean, he’s been playing amazing for us these last 10 games. We’re asking a lot of him for his first year here so he deserves the break. He deserves the rest so 6 p.m., VJ. If you see this, keep your ass in bed.”

Edgecombe only played 33 games in college which is about the average for a college basketball season. While a good number of those are high-intensity games, nothing compares to the NBA and the Sixers have been in their fair share to begin the season. Philadelphia has had to rally from double-digit deficits in the fourth quarter to win games thus far to begin the season and Edgecombe has played plenty of minutes.

Before Saturday’s contest with the Toronto Raptors to kick off the latest back-to-back, coach Nick Nurse just kept it simple for Edgecombe.

“Well, I think there’s been a lot of intense games,” Nurse said. “He’s played a lot of minutes, right? I just think it’s more you gotta go through it, see what it’s like, and I’m pretty understanding. I don’t know, what did he play last year? 30 games? 35? The first 12 and those don’t really count, right? Cut that down. Play a little in the playoffs and your season’s over. He’s already been in eight intense as hell battles in two weeks. He’s just gotta get used to it. He’ll be fine.”

Drummond has been in the league for 14 seasons now and understands what it’s like to be in this position. To make it through the rigors of the 82-game schedule, he takes care of his body which is something Edgecombe will have to figure out.

“Just being a professional,” Drummond explained. “Taking care of my body after games. Making sure I get the proper rest. Making sure I stay hydrated, eating the proper food. Getting up and doing my rehab stuff. I mean, it’s 82 games. No matter if it’s back-to-back. It’s still a lot of games.”

The Sixers will have a day off before they face the Boston Celtics on Tuesday for the third time already.