VJ Edgecombe, the crunch-time machine, got after it once again on the national stage!
On Friday evening during the Rising Stars event, Edgecombe played for Vince Carter and Team Vince as part of the All-Star Weekend festivities. When I say this is the most unimportant basketball activity that the beloved Sixers rookie has undertaken in years, I truly mean it, but Edgecombe showcased the skills that have endeared himself so much to Philadelphia and that have everyone believing he will soon be a great NBA player.
In the semifinals matchup with Tracy McGrady’s Team T-Mac, Edgecombe dropped 17 points, including multiple threes, a downright beautiful finger roll and a mid-range jumper that made it a 41-36 game to have Team Vince advance to the championship round. Edgecombe scored Team Vince’s final 10 points on the road to a matchup against Carmelo Anthony’s Team Melo.
As Edgecombe heated up in the semifinals, Peacock commentator Reggie Miller remarked that Edgecombe was coming for the event’s MVP Award. That was the vibe and he was ultimately proved correct!
I was ready to be completely dismissive of this night entirely, writing that Edgecombe’s winning style of basketball probably wouldn’t gel well with first-time teammates rather than being in a more cohesive, season-long situation, but Edgecombe was a crunch-time maestro to open things up, playing more spirited basketball than anyone out there.
In the championship bout that was a race to hit or eclipse 25 points, Edgecombe wasn’t as pronounced as a scorer or ball-handler initially. He did the “little things,” once more pushing the ball in transition, working as a handy passer and playing all out defensively. Edgecombe made his scoring impact known once again, however, when things mattered the most. Edgecombe fought for an offensive rebound and put-back bucket that had Team Vince take a 23-22 lead late over Team Melo. It was pure effort with Edgecombe barreling through traffic. It was the type of energy that Sixers fans are already accustomed to seeing on a nightly basis with the rookie.
Driving to the basket for the win with Team Melo soon taking a 24-23 lead, Edgecombe was fouled and sent to the charity stripe. Edgecombe, naturally, sank both shots, giving Team Vince the 25-24 win.
I know the common refrain is that All-Star Weekend has been mightily diluted, but it was a blast watching Edgecombe do his thing. Let’s keep it rolling with Tyrese Maxey taking part in the three-point contest and the All-Star Game itself the next few days!