PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers landed the biggest prize of the offseason when they were able to bring in the brilliant LeBron James on a 2-year $8 million deal in free agency. The addition of Jaylen Brown allowed them to do so, but there are other pieces on this roster that intrigued James.
One of them is second-year guard VJ Edgecombe who continues to be an effective player despite a serious role change from his rookie season. After having the ball in his hands a ton as a rookie, Edgecombe is not the focus of Philadelphia's offensive attack, but James has made sure he is involved with what the Sixers want to do.
"That’s my dawg," Edgecombe said of James. "We talk a lot off the court. He mess with me. On some lil bro, big bro type he be tryna
lil bro me. You know what I’m saying?"
James had nine assists in Monday's win over the Chicago Bulls and plenty of them were on some long outlet passes to a streaking Edgecombe--a regular occurrence to begin the season. The young and athletic guard was able to get out and run and get easy buckets against a young Bulls team. The chemistry between James and Edgecombe started way back in training camp in September.
"Yeah, training camp," James recalled. "Training camp. There's a couple times at training camp, and he kind of slowed up, and I didn't think I'd get the pass there to him, and I told him all he has to do is just run, and I’ll try to put it on time, on target as much as I can. So, like I said, with him, with his athleticism and his speed and his athleticism above the rim, too. It just allows him to play above and then be rewarded and a recipient of those guys."
As the two have moved forward into the season, one has to wonder if there was that beginning awkward tension between them. There is always that initial period when there is so much newness, but Edgecombe has found that James is very easy to get along with and it's been a seamless transition.
"Never, man," Edgecombe added. "He's a super down-to-earth human being. He’s a great person to be around. He never have bad vibes. It's always positive. That someone you want to be around. You don't want to be around anyone that's going to make you feel bad or just drain your energy. He's someone that's super positive and he's a great person."
As far as James' playmaking is concerned, everybody knew how great he is with the ball in his hands, but to see it up close? Edgecombe is learning that he should expect the ball even if he's slightly open.
"He’s gonna pass it," Edgecombe smiled. "If you're open, he's gonna pass it. The main thing is just being ready, you know, and tonight I had to run. I had to run and go get them. He’ll hit you when you're open. When he sees you, he's gonna pass the ball."
The Sixers will begin a 3-game trip on Wednesday when they take on the Detroit Pistons.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' VJ Edgecombe discusses his relationship with LeBron James
