EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Apathy didn't find its way to the Rising Stars game to kick off All-Star weekend, because Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe wouldn't let it.Perhaps inspired by listening to Naismith Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar deliver a talk the night before, Edgecombe took the game seriously and won MVP for Vince Carter's team at Intuit Dome. He clinched the final with two free throws to get his team to the target score of 25, edging out Carmelo Anthony's team.Earlier in the semifinal game, Edgecombe scored the final 10 points to help defeat the team selected by Tracy McGrady -- finishing with 17 of his team's 41 points.Edgecombe was all smiles afterwards, but he was serious with his approach."He told us, why not just play hard? Earlier today, after practice we all decided, man, we're just gonna compete," Edgecombe said. "Vince, he just wanted me to be aggressive."Abdul-Jabbar, 78, retired over 15 years before Edgecombe was born but he connected with the players the night before, talking about his personal journey to the NBA, his experiences with unlikely figures like Bruce Lee and more direct to the players, how they can use the league to enrich themselves and build their own brands if they invest in things like All-Star weekend.Edgecombe took the talk to heart and appreciated Abdul-Jabbar taking the time to reach back to today's players. Abdul-Jabbar said "I don't know all your names, but I love your games." Clearly, it struck a chord."Man, it felt like a dream," Edgecombe said earlier in the day. "Just because he's someone of such status. He's in a place, a tier of his own -- him, [Michael] Jordan, the GOATs of basketball."It shows he really cares. About basketball, the NBA and everyone coming up after him. I'd say he paved the way for us. It's only great that we try our best to follow that path that he paved and continue, just honoring him."Edgecombe respected the game with his effort. He was Carter's first pick in the Rising Stars draft. Carter's team also featured standouts Derik Queen (New Orleans Pelicans), Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls) and Kyshawn George (Washington Wizards)."We were trying to go win everything," Buzelis said. "We weren't trying to just lay back and cruise."It was evident Edgecombe made it a point to stand out in the showcase."I wanted to win. I hate losing, like I really hate losing," Edgecombe said. "We just try to make it competitive, where it's worth your time."The setup was simple enough: The team led by former LA Clipper Austin Rivers, that featured G-Leaguers, took on Anthony's team while Carter's team played McGrady's, and the winners would face each other in the final.While it was fast paced, there was an element of competitiveness to the game. A few players afterward remarked how fast the game went, considering there was a target score. Carter, according to the players, was intense in his expectations and hopes his team would take the game seriously and set the example for the weekend."Like, man, we have a chance to win it all. So why not go out there and win," Edgecombe said. "It's really credit to my teammates. We all were bought in. We all were like, let's go win it. Coach Vince was like, yeah, might as well, right? I was like, why not?"Edgecombe burst onto the scene with a 34-point opening night showing against the Boston Celtics, and has been a standout even with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George commanding attention -- averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists.Maxey was sitting courtside to support his backcourt mate."He's like he ain't coming to watch it if I ain't going to play hard," Edgecombe said. "I was like, man, I'm going to play hard so he can have some -- at least that's not a waste of his time. I didn't want to waste his time."I know he has a whole lot of stuff he could probably be doing right now, especially being an All-Star."It's not a reach for Edgecombe to bring this intensity to All-Star Sunday soon enough -- it seems like he's destined for the marquee stage."It would be a true blessing to be an All-Star," Edgecombe said. "I won't take that for granted if I'm an All-Star one day. Hopefully I am. I'll say I'd just be truly blessed, and I'll enjoy it for sure."
