VJ Edgecombe finished as a distant third in the NBA's Rookie of the Year race behind Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel. Based on their respective production during the regular season, it was hard to argue against that. (Whoever had Cedric Coward on their ballot over Edgecombe , however…) Neither the Mavericks nor Hornets made the playoffs, so Flagg and Kneuppel didn't get a chance to show their stuff on the postseason stage as rookies. Edgecombe's Sixers did, though, and he's taken full advantage. In Game 2 of the Sixers' first-round series against the Boston Celtics, Edgecombe became the youngest player in NBA history to put up at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game. Five games later, he became the first rookie ever to have at least 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in a Game 7. As impressive as Edgecombe was offensively at times throughout the series against the Celtics, his defense is what set him apart.…