Ad Disclosure
Let’s Hope “Thumb Contusion” is Not this Year’s Debilitating Rookie Injury for VJ Edgecombe, Who Looked Great in Summer League Debut
By Sean Barnard
Published:
The stage was set for VJ Edgecombe to make his second NBA summer league appearance for the Sixers after opening some serious eyes in his weekend debut against the Jazz. But Edgecombe never took this stage and was ruled out last minute on Monday night due to a thumb contusion, per the Athletic’s Tony Jones:
Edgecombe played to the final whistle in the Salt Lake City summer league opener without any sign of injury. In all likelihood the organization is just operating with an abundance of caution and allowing some other players a clearer chance to show what they can bring to an NBA roster. I will also note that none were particularly successful in this endeavor with the level of play notably below the opener. While any live action is important, the Las Vegas summer league begins on Thursday and will be the priority for Edgecombe. There’s a bit more structure in Vegas with all 30 teams participating.
However, it is impossible not to be scarred from the ghosts of Sixers past. If we start seeing diagnoses such as thoracic outlet syndrome, gastroenteritis, meniscus displacement, or some newfound food allergies, the tune will change a bit. Let’s avoid letting Kelly Oubre Jr. take the rookie out for a spin in his car anytime soon for that matter as well.
Edgecombe’s Game 1 Performance
The bigger story surrounding Edgecombe is what he put on display in his summer league debut. The third overall pick was the clear cut best player on the floor against a Utah Jazz roster with multiple players who logged real minutes for the NBA team last season. The 19-year-old finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. He looked fearless in his attack with athleticism that popped off the screen and also wasn’t afraid to get physical and talk a little trash on the floor:
Everybody knows the rules for summer league takeaways. If the play on the floor backs up your belief in a player, then you are proven correct. If the player is not living up your expectations, it does not matter because it is only summer league. Even under the best of circumstances, the summer league is essentially high-level pickup hoops between a bunch of players far more invested in proving why they belong than the results themselves.
The Sixers elected to play Edgecombe as the primary ball-handler and lead guard for the bulk of their offensive opportunities. There has been plenty of conversation about concern with his handle. Is it NBA ready, and is it capable of breaking down an NBA defense? While he will likely never be mistaken for Kyrie Irving or Allen Iverson, Edgecombe is completely satisfactory in his dribbling, and particularly effective with a head of steam. Philadelphia is also likely using this as more of a developmental tactic with Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain having a clearer path to the primary ball handlers during the real season. Maxey and McCain each are closer to the shooting guard/point guard type of positional tweener while Edgecombe will likely slot as more of a shooting guard/small forward type. All three players measuring below 6-foot-5 is not ideal from a roster construction standpoint. But with so much uncertainty surrounding Joel Embiid and plenty of other variables on the roster, the best pathway should continue to be collecting the best young players and figuring out the fit later.
Beyond any X’s and O’s breakdowns or stats that Edgecombe produced, there is a certain pop that should be evident from a player that is a top pick. From Evan Turner to Markelle Fultz, we have seen several instances of Sixers rookies not quite bringing this juice and forcing the “it’s only Summer League,” response.
But it was the opposite with Edgecombe.
The rookie will enter the league as one of the best athletes in the league. From a pure movement standpoint, you see some clear similarities to Anthony Edwards. But there is also some legitimate basketball feel to his game, including some manipulation of opposing defenses. Edgecombe plays with an infectious motor in a way that is necessary for this Sixers roster and teases to be an impact-now player with some significant potential in the way they were hoping.
It is too early to be running any sort of victory laps after just one summer league game, as there has been plenty of fool’s gold put on display throughout the years as well. But it is worth noting that fifth overall pick Ace Bailey, who made it abundantly clear he wanted no part of coming to Philadelphia, was limited to eight points and seven rebounds on 3-for-13 shooting and was a team-worst -12 during the matchup. He was much better in his second summer league game, going for 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists against Memphis.
For the time being, let’s avoid breaking any mirrors, walking under any ladders, and keep those Ouiji boards away. The Sixers look like they may have added another foundational core of youth if divine intervention doesn’t get in the way.
Sean Barnard has covered the Philadelphia 76ers and general Philly Sports for over six years in a variety of roles and for multiple outlets. Currently works as a Content Writer for DraftKings Network, Sixers/NBA Insider for Philadelphia's Fox Sports the Gambler, and co-host of Sixers & Phillies Digest on Youtube. Forever Trusting the Process.