The new-look Philadelphia 76ers are flying high at the moment, sipping drinks and winning games. They're now 7-1 after beating the Chicago Bulls 126-107. VJ Edgecombe did his part with 15 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting in the first half and finished with 21 for the game, a new season-high.
Edgecombe was always going to have his offensive touches limited this season with the arrival of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown pushing him down the pecking order. But the second-year player is looking at the bigger picture when it comes to his role on the team.
“I don’t get antsy or anything. We’re 7-1… It’s fun when you’re winning. I don’t want to be a cancer because I ain’t getting the shots I want… The most important thing to me is winning,” Edgecombe said per Sixers beat writer Adam Aaronson.
Article Continues BelowThrough seven games, Edgecombe is averaging 12.7 points on 11.3 shot attempts. That's a significant step down from his rookie season, when he was putting up 16 points per game and getting 13.7 shots. It's not easy for a young player of his quality to take a back seat like he's being asked to do. It speaks to his maturity that he has accepted his new role on the team.
Edgecombe's sacrifice to take on a smaller role on offense and embrace a role-player mentality could end up being massive for the Sixers' hopes of competing for a championship. With James, Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers have more than enough offense to go around. But what those four can't quite provide are energy, athleticism, and defensive intensity, which are all things Edgecombe brings to the table.

