Rival coach says the quiet part out loud about 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe

With a standout performance overall through his first ten matches, suffice it to say that VJ Edgecombe has taken the competition by storm. He has almost single-handedly secured the Philadelphia 76ers’ future as a franchise and provided a strong sense of certainty about the team’s ability to potentially compete in the near future.

So far, Edgecombe has been head and shoulders above his contemporaries in this year’s draft. He leads all rookies in assists per game, while he is a close second in scoring behind Kon Knueppel, and his defensive activity has been impressive as well. He looks so mature for his age, and his approach to the game has caught the attention of many 76ers fans or not.

Even head coaches of other teams have noticed Edgecombe’s early impact. Following their win on Sunday night, Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff was asked for his thoughts on the standout rookie, to which he responded comparing him to a young Derrick Rose.

VJ Edgecombe gets high praise from Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff

Edgecombe has cooled down a bit after a very positive start to the season, but his activity has not diminished. Although he has struggled with his shot in the last few games, he has not hesitated to hit some momentum-swinging shots, showcasing his fearless nature and sheer confidence as a goalscorer.

A former league MVP, Rose didn’t exactly have the kind of career you’d expect from someone who lifted the coveted plum, but he was indeed a great player during his heyday. As young as he was, he managed to lead the Chicago Bulls to contender status in early 2010.

Edgecombe is not yet tasked with taking on such a role, but he certainly has the style and qualities to be someone who can do the heavy lifting for the team soon. He is very confident in his own skin and is not easily daunted by the ups and downs, the currents and ebbs of the game.

Of course, there are still some areas where he can improve. Despite his obvious ability as a goalscorer, he is still a bit unpolished in attack and sometimes gets stuck in traffic, but these are things that come easily with experience.

For now, Edgecombe is doing what the 76ers need him to do, and then some. There’s really no reason not to be impressed with what he’s brought to the table, even though he’s still getting used to the league.