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PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers were able to land some huge names in the 2026 offseason headlined by Jaylen Brown and LeBron James. Those two have won titles as well as finals MVPs as they bring a level of professionalism that the franchise needs as they move forward.
The presence of both will help VJ Edgecombe as he heads into his second season. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2025 draft averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists along with 1.4 steals per night as a rookie. He then had a historic playoff debut as he had 30 points and 10 rebounds against Brown's Boston Celtics in Game 2 of Round 1. He was the first rookie to have a 30 and 10 playoff game since Tim Duncan in 1996.
As Edgecombe heads into year 2, he has a ton of experienced players around him. Much like Brown did in his second season with the Celtics when Boston had some serious experience and proven talent around him.
"I think VJ is in a similar situation to maybe that I was in a couple years ago when we had one of those rosters that were really stacked with like a decent amount of talent, and I looked at it like a learning opportunity. You know what I mean?" Brown stated. "Some of those moments that I learned from back then, the players that I played with, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Kemba Walker, etc. Some of that stuff I benefited from later in my career because I took the time to learn and talk to and watch their workouts and see their mentality and their approach. Take things that they do well and add it to my game, and just keep an open mind."
Edgecombe was a real difference-maker as a rookie, and it was obvious to Brown and Co. in Round 1 while with Boston. Like the aforementioned stars were able to help Brown when he was a young player, he will look to do the same for Edgecombe.
"I'm gonna be in VJ’s ear all year to just learn and grow," Brown stated. "He just turned 21. So, he's got a bright future. This could be a great opportunity for him to learn from a bunch of guys, and then also his talent level. He’s going to carve out space for himself because of his talent level alone. So I'm excited for VJ, and I'm a fan. He killed us in that series. It was a lot of the other guys we knew about, but a lot of times he played well those series. So, I'm a fan from afar for sure."
With that being said, Brown isn't going to take it upon himself to be Edgecombe's mentor. This will come down to Brown leading by example and trying to chase a championship. Whatever Edgecombe takes from his experience with playing next to the 2024 champion will be on the second-year guard and what he can add to his overall game as a player and a professional.
"I mean, yes and no," Brown said of the notion of being a mentor to Edgecombe. "I mean, I just come in with the mentality to come in with the mentality to impact winning, lead by example. I'm not designating myself as nothing. You got to earn that with time and trust. People gravitate naturally, or they don't, but my focus is on winning. My focus is on leading by example, and just go from there."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers star singles out VJ Edgecombe as he heads into second season
Continue reading...
The presence of both will help VJ Edgecombe as he heads into his second season. The No. 3 overall pick of the 2025 draft averaged 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists along with 1.4 steals per night as a rookie. He then had a historic playoff debut as he had 30 points and 10 rebounds against Brown's Boston Celtics in Game 2 of Round 1. He was the first rookie to have a 30 and 10 playoff game since Tim Duncan in 1996.
As Edgecombe heads into year 2, he has a ton of experienced players around him. Much like Brown did in his second season with the Celtics when Boston had some serious experience and proven talent around him.
"I think VJ is in a similar situation to maybe that I was in a couple years ago when we had one of those rosters that were really stacked with like a decent amount of talent, and I looked at it like a learning opportunity. You know what I mean?" Brown stated. "Some of those moments that I learned from back then, the players that I played with, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, Kemba Walker, etc. Some of that stuff I benefited from later in my career because I took the time to learn and talk to and watch their workouts and see their mentality and their approach. Take things that they do well and add it to my game, and just keep an open mind."
Edgecombe was a real difference-maker as a rookie, and it was obvious to Brown and Co. in Round 1 while with Boston. Like the aforementioned stars were able to help Brown when he was a young player, he will look to do the same for Edgecombe.
"I'm gonna be in VJ’s ear all year to just learn and grow," Brown stated. "He just turned 21. So, he's got a bright future. This could be a great opportunity for him to learn from a bunch of guys, and then also his talent level. He’s going to carve out space for himself because of his talent level alone. So I'm excited for VJ, and I'm a fan. He killed us in that series. It was a lot of the other guys we knew about, but a lot of times he played well those series. So, I'm a fan from afar for sure."
With that being said, Brown isn't going to take it upon himself to be Edgecombe's mentor. This will come down to Brown leading by example and trying to chase a championship. Whatever Edgecombe takes from his experience with playing next to the 2024 champion will be on the second-year guard and what he can add to his overall game as a player and a professional.
"I mean, yes and no," Brown said of the notion of being a mentor to Edgecombe. "I mean, I just come in with the mentality to come in with the mentality to impact winning, lead by example. I'm not designating myself as nothing. You got to earn that with time and trust. People gravitate naturally, or they don't, but my focus is on winning. My focus is on leading by example, and just go from there."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers star singles out VJ Edgecombe as he heads into second season
Continue reading...
