NEW YORK -- As the Philadelphia 76ers begin a new journey to the mountaintop in the 2026-27 season, the focus is on the new big names to the lineup in the form of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. With those two added to the fold around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, one has to wonder where that leaves second-year guard VJ Edgecombe.
In a season-opening win over the New York Knicks, Edgecombe didn't put up huge numbers. He finished with nine points on 4-for-10 shooting with four rebounds and he committed four fouls, but he was helpful on the defensive end and he was able to find his niche playing next to James and Brown. It's certainly different for him than compared to his rookie season, but Edgecombe is looking forward to the challenge.
"For me,
obviously, I'm in a situation, as you said, I shot more last year," Edgecombe acknowledged after the win. "But, for me, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win. I just want to win. I want to know what it feels like to win at a really high level. I'm going to get my shots still. I'm around obviously, people that pass the ball. They look for me and I'm going to be more open than I would think. I just have to, obviously, shoot the ball with confidence and find my spacing."
A maniacal worker and somebody who just wants to reach the mountaintop as he learns from the elder statesmen on the team, Edgecombe is looking to move forward. He understands what it's going to take for the Sixers to win and he's willing to do his part in order to push Philadelphia forward as he makes his adjustments.
"I don't think it's hard," Edgecombe explained. "I don't think it's a hard adjustment. It's just more so just being ready. It's just more so being ready. Like an open shot might be a defender in your face, but his hand is down or something. You get what I'm saying? I just think we’re still figuring it out. We’re all still figuring it out, but that’s a good thing."
There were back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter against the Knicks when Edgecombe was open in the dunker spot. The Sixers had Joel Embiid at the nail, he received the pass, New York sent defenders, and that freed up Edgecombe for easy looks at the basket. Those are different looks for him than in the past, but he is willing to make these adjustments in order for Philadelphia to succeed.
"I'm comfortable with it," he smiled. "I'm a basketball player, you know? I’ll figure it out, find a space, and just try to make–the most important thing is to score. Obviously, on the offensive end, that's the most important thing, and that's what was open. I see my man go up, and whoever’s on the weak side gotta play, too, and I’m right by the rim. You either take me at the rim or just take the corner shot. Like I said, Joel was making some good passes, to where I was right under the rim, and I get layups. If I score like that all game, I’ll be perfectly fine with that."
Edgecombe and the Sixers now move forward into the home opener on Thursday.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' VJ Edgecombe discusses playing with stars as he moves forward
