VJ Edgecombe is not just another name on the roster. He is the engine driving the Philadelphia 76ers defense right now. The team has won six of their first seven games, and that starts with how hard they play. Per Liberty Ballers, the Sixers sit third in the league in defensive rating at 105.4. They also rank fifth in halfcourt rating at 105.0. These numbers prove the team buys into a specific plan. Edgecombe is listed as one of the four standout defenders alongside Jaylen Brown, Dean Wade, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. That is a scary group for any opponent to face.
The Mindset Behind The Stops
Defense wins games, but only when players actually try to stop the other team. Edgecombe made it clear that this effort is a choice the whole group makes together. He told Yahoo Sports, “We are just willing to guard, and that’s important.” That willingness is rare in a league full of stars who only want to score. The Sixers have players like Tyrese Maxey and Anfernee Simons who are not known for defense, yet they are putting their best feet forward. Maxey does it because he is Maxey, while Simons knows he must guard in big moments. This shift in attitude is what turns a good team into a great one.
The connection between teammates is the real secret weapon here. Edgecombe explained the bond in training camp where they worked on their standard and principles. “We’re connected. In training camp, we obviously worked on our standard, our principles. And I say we just kind of execute from there,” he said. This unity allows them to switch and help without hesitation. It makes the defense look like a single unit rather than five individuals trying to play together.
From Defense To Fast Breaks
When a team stops the other side, they get the ball and run. That is where the fun begins for the Sixers. Edgecombe noted that the payoff for their hard work is considerable. “We know,” he added, “if we get some stops, we get out and have fun from there.” LeBron James echoed this sentiment after Friday’s victory over the Knicks. “We definitely hang our hats on the defensive end so far this season,” James said. The strategy is simple: stop the ball, then run fast.
Expect Edgecombe to crash the glass hard in the next matchup.
