Who said there is no suspense for Rookie of the Year! VJ continues to shine and Flagg is overrated?

In the Philadelphia 76ers' 136-124 home victory over the Orlando Magic, rookie No. 1 pick Edgcomb once again became the team's shining focus. In 39 minutes of play, he made 10 of 17 shots, 2 of 4 three-pointers, and all 4 free throws. He scored 26 points efficiently and contributed 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. His steady performance can be regarded as an important engine for the team's victory.

This is not just an accidental outbreak, but a continuation of Edgecombe's continued high performance. According to statistics, in the past three games, he averaged star-level statistics of 25.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. His shooting percentage was as high as 50%, and his three-point shooting percentage was maintained at 40%. He showed maturity that belies his age on both offense and defense. His stable output not only supplements the team's scoring firepower, but also plays an increasingly important role in organizational connection.

After the game, head coach Nurse did not hesitate to praise his beloved disciple: "This is not surprising to me. I think he has such strength, I felt so from the beginning."

However, in sharp contrast to Edgecomb's star-studded performance, is the struggle of the Mavericks' No. 1 pick Flagg. Flagg felt cold in this campaign. He made only 1 of 10 shots in the game, missed all 4 three-pointers, and only scored 2 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Although he did a good job in controlling mistakes and fouls, he did not score any assists in the game. His plus-minus value of -20 was the lowest in the game, and he was almost completely suppressed on both offense and defense.

On one side is Edgecombe's steady rise, gradually showing the team's future cornerstone; on the other side is Flagg's moment of hitting a wall that desperately needs a breakthrough. The growth trajectories of the two young players are in sharp contrast at this moment. Before the season, Flagg's prospects for the Rookie of the Year were overwhelmingly optimistic. At present, VJ seems to be the number one candidate for the Rookie of the Year.

(Text/Mango)