Sixers Finding a New Gear with VJ Edgecombe and Paul George Leading Second Units
PHILADELPHIA - For the first time in a long time, the Sixers are finally healthy, and that means head coach Nick Nurse is working with a full deck. It’s only the second time during his tenure that he’s had every player available, and he’s using this rare stretch of roster continuity to experiment - and more importantly, to build something sustainable.
One of the key combinations Nurse is leaning into? A budding partnership between rookie VJ Edgecombe and veteran Paul George. It’s a pairing that could be pivotal, not just for the Sixers’ bench units, but for the overall balance of the team.
“We're trying to grow the VJ-Paul connection a little bit,” Nurse said before Friday’s matchup with the Cavaliers.
The Numbers Behind the Experiment
So far, the results have been promising. In the 194 possessions where Edgecombe and George have shared the floor without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers have posted a Net Rating of +9.7. That’s a strong indicator that this duo can hold their own - and even thrive - while the stars take a breather.
Offensively, these lineups aren’t setting the world on fire, scoring 112.4 points per 100 possessions - a respectable but not elite mark. But defensively?
They’ve been stifling, giving up just 102.7 points per 100. That defensive edge has been a key reason why this unit is working, and Nurse has taken notice.
He’s particularly fond of the group that surrounds George and Edgecombe with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes. No matter who’s anchoring the middle, that quartet has shown the ability to shift into a different defensive gear - one that’s giving opponents fits.
Balancing Roles and Rhythm
What makes this lineup click is also what makes it tricky. Neither George nor Edgecombe is the clear-cut offensive engine when they’re on the floor together. Instead, they’re asked to toggle between roles - sometimes spotting up, sometimes initiating offense - depending on the flow of the game.
George, a seasoned star who’s used to being “the guy,” admits it’s still an adjustment.
“I think I'm still kind of trying to learn that,” he said. “Through my career I've been used to having the ball, being the primary ball-handler, the primary facilitator. So I'm still learning, trying to find the rhythm.”
Edgecombe, as you might expect from a confident rookie, is keeping it simple.
“Nah,” he said when asked if the role changes are tough to handle. “Just got to stay aggressive at all times, regardless of the lineups. That’s what my team needs from me.”
That mindset - stay aggressive, stay ready - is what’s helping Edgecombe find his footing quickly. And it’s giving George space to rediscover parts of his game that have been dormant.
George’s Return to the Rim
One of the more encouraging signs for Philly is George’s renewed willingness to attack downhill. After dealing with injuries for over a year, he’s starting to look more like the Paul George who can break down defenders and finish at the rim.
“It’s more just a mindset,” George said. “It’s all going to come down to me trying to see what I can continue to gain back... If I don’t try it, then I won’t know if I can do it or if I can’t do it.”
He’s betting on muscle memory - that the more he pushes himself, the more his body will respond. And that mindset is starting to pay off.
“Those muscles will start firing how they used to,” he added. “I think it just goes to a mindset that I’m trying to retrain my body to do those things.”
Unlocking the Rest of the Roster
The real value of the Edgecombe-George pairing might be what it unlocks for the rest of the Sixers’ rotation - especially when it comes to Embiid and Maxey. In past seasons, the Sixers often staggered their two stars because the team couldn’t survive with both off the floor. Now, with a second unit that can hold its own - or even win its minutes - Nurse has the flexibility to keep Embiid and Maxey together more often.
That’s huge. Few duos in the league have the kind of two-man chemistry those two share.
When they’re on the floor together, the Sixers’ offense hums at a different level. And while Embiid has always been careful to emphasize team-wide involvement, he sees the upside of this shift.
“It’s great,” Embiid said. “Obviously we’ve always had that chemistry, but at times it’s also good to kind of mix it up... Whether it’s a combination of me/P, VJ/P, Tyrese/me - always having two of us on the floor at the same time.”
The trust in Nurse is clear. Embiid and the rest of the team believe in his vision - and the early results suggest he’s onto something.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about finding a bench unit that can tread water. It’s about building a lineup that can win its minutes, take pressure off the stars, and give the Sixers new ways to win. Edgecombe and George might be an unconventional duo - a rookie and a veteran still adjusting to new roles - but they’re showing signs of becoming a stabilizing force.
If they continue to grow together, the ripple effects could be massive. More rest for Embiid and Maxey.
More lineup flexibility. More options when the playoffs roll around.
And maybe, just maybe, the Sixers are starting to find the kind of depth and balance that championship teams are built on.