"Heading into this season, one such widely shared preconception was that the Rookie of the Year field was scarcely worth discussing, what with Cooper Flagg looking like a purpose-built destroyer for the modern game. He was going to start and play a significant role for a team with real aspirations, the thinking went, so why even take anyone else's chances seriously? This was occasionally followed by the odd mention that Ace Bailey was going to score a million points for a team that stunk,"
"Edgecombe began his career at a running start, dropping 14 points in the first quarter of his NBA career against the Celtics and winding up with 34 for the game. That's the most anyone's scored in their NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain. He followed that up with 15 points and eight assists against Charlotte, then 26 points and seven assists against Orlando."
Preseason expectations placed Cooper Flagg far ahead in Rookie of the Year consideration as a purpose-built modern-game star expected to start and play a major role. Early regular-season games have contradicted that certainty as multiple rookies have produced high-level performances. V.J. Edgecombe has been especially impressive, scoring 34 in his debut—the most by any player in an NBA debut since Wilt Chamberlain—and following with strong all-around stat lines. Edgecombe has logged heavy minutes due to Jared McCain's thumb injury and has functioned as a complementary ball-handler alongside Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe's style differs from Joel Embiid's.
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