VJ Edgecombe: A Fully Healthy 76ers Team is the ‘Team to Beat’ in the East
During NBA TV’s All-Star weekend coverage, analyst V.J. Edgecombe boldly stated his belief that the Philadelphia 76ers have the highest ceiling in the Eastern Conference – when fully healthy. This assertion sparks a crucial debate: can the Sixers overcome their historical injury woes and truly contend for a championship?
The Sixers’ Potential: A Look at the Numbers
Edgecombe’s confidence isn’t unfounded. Currently holding a 30-24 record, the 76ers sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings. This is particularly impressive considering the limited availability of key players. Joel Embiid and Paul George have combined to play just 58 games thus far this season. A healthy roster, Edgecombe argues, transforms the Sixers into the “team to beat.”
The Injury Bug: A Recurring Nightmare
However, the elephant in the room remains the team’s persistent struggle with injuries. The Sixers have historically found it difficult to maintain a fully healthy lineup for extended periods. Even recently, Joel Embiid was sidelined with knee soreness leading into the All-Star break, though head coach Nick Nurse remains optimistic about a swift recovery, aided by the break in schedule until February 19th.
Embiid’s Dominance and George’s Return
Embiid, when healthy, is a force of nature. In his last 10 games before the break, the seven-time All-Star averaged an impressive 33.1 points on 52.9% shooting, alongside 8.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists. His performance echoes his MVP-caliber season in 2022-23.
Paul George’s absence, stemming from a 25-game suspension related to a violation of the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program (attributed to taking “improper medication” while addressing a mental health issue), adds another layer of complexity. George is eligible to return on March 25th, just in time for the regular season’s final stretch. You can find more information about the NBA’s anti-drug program here.
Maxey’s Consistency and Edgecombe’s Rookie Wall
Tyrese Maxey has been a beacon of consistency for Philadelphia, leading the team in both scoring (28.9 PPG) and assists (6.8 APG) across 52 starts. However, even promising rookie VJ Edgecombe has experienced a typical “rookie wall,” averaging 12.4 points on 41.0% shooting in his last 19 games, a dip from his earlier average of 16.4 points.
Synergy and Potential: The Embiid-Maxey-George Trio
The potential of a fully integrated Embiid, Maxey, and George is undeniable. This trio boasts a +7.5 net rating, but they’ve only shared the court for a total of 365 minutes across 16 games. For context, the New York Knicks’ core of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges has a +6.4 net rating in a significantly larger sample size of 852 minutes.
A Gamble on Health?
Betting on the Sixers’ injury luck in the playoffs has often proven to be a risky proposition. However, as V.J. Edgecombe suggests, if the stars align and the team can remain healthy, they possess the talent and potential to compete with the very best teams in the Eastern Conference during a postseason run. The question remains: will they finally break the cycle?
