V.J. Edgecombe thinks the Philadelphia 76ers have the highest ceiling in the Eastern Conference when they are at full strength.
Appearing on NBA TV as part of the network’s All-Star weekend coverage, Edgecombe said a “totally healthy” Sixers roster is the “team to beat” in the East.
There’s certainly an argument to prove Edgecombe’s point. The 76ers are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-24 record. They have done that despite Joel Embiid and Paul George playing a combined 58 games so far.
However, therein lies the issue that has plagued the team for years. They are rarely totally healthy at any point.
Even right now, Embiid missed the final two games prior to the All-Star break due to knee soreness. Head coach Nick Nurse sounded optimistic that it won’t be a big issue, especially since they will be off until Feb. 19.
While there may not be a concern now, Embiid’s history of knee issues is going to raise alarm bells. He was in the midst of his best stretch of basketball since his MVP season in 2022-23. The seven-time All-Star averaged 33.1 points on 52.9 percent shooting, 8.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest in his last 10 games.
George’s current absence is due to a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program stemming from what he said was taking an “improper medication” while seeking treatment for a mental health issue.
The 35-year-old George will be eligible to return on March 25, just over two weeks before the end of the regular season.
Tyrese Maxey has been the one constant for Philadelphia this season. He leads the team in scoring (28.9 points per game) and assists (6.8) in 52 starts.
Even Edgecombe, despite not missing time with an injury, has hit a rookie wall. He is averaging 12.4 points on 41.0 percent shooting in 19 games since Jan. 9. The Baylor alum averaged 16.4 points on 38.0 percent three-point shooting in his first 31 games.
Philly’s three-man lineup with Embiid, Maxey and George on the floor together has a plus-7.5 net rating this season, but they have only played a total of 365 minutes over 16 games together.
For comparison, the New York Knicks’ trio of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges has a plus-6.4 net rating in 852 minutes.
Betting on the Sixers having good injury luck in the playoffs has often been a losing wager, but there is reason to believe when Edgecombe says that if things break their way that they could at least compete with the top teams in the East in a postseason setting.
