Does T.J. McConnell Give Sixers Confidence to Pick Simmons?

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Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) drives to the basket in the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Texas A&M Aggies won 71-38. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Given time. you see, with all the arguments of who to choose, the factor nobody gives Ben Simmons is time. He is projected as the number one or two pick. Players of that magnitude arrive to a team with a built up desire to improve immediately, and the Philadelphia 76ers are no exception. Ben Simmons may not be an immediate pick-me-up. No team is set up to plug him in and go. If he is picked by another team, they will place him into a power forward role due to his size. But his shooting doesn’t have the complete arsenal. If he comes to the 76ers, he is a point guard, but he has not played in that role for 20+ minutes a game. He brings questions as well.

But there are answers too. Simmons would enjoy the benefits of joining a team which has constructed an industry leading infrastructure. Meanwhile, he would join newcomers Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, who also have skills in moving the ball. Simmons, when paired with Saric, the Sixers could immediately improve upon their most damaging statistic, turnovers. But in the end, all of this takes time. But what about the meantime?

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The key to the 2016 NBA draft lies in the team. Draft a potential starter, but give the position ample competition to force the rookie to elevate his game and earn his minutes. Right now, that point guard position role is already becoming hotly contested by undrafted rookie T.J. McConnell

/whispers: I might prefer T.J. McConnell, at his price tag, over Ish Smith, at his eventual price tag, as a backup point guard next year.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) March 18, 2016

McConnell is more than just a warm body. He’s growing adept at a very challenging position at an astronomical rate. Undrafted, he’s had to fight an uphill battle to get time on the basketball court. And fight he has, giving the team a very strong performance that so many seem to be overlooking. His rookie performance, even fettered from a mere bench role, has been absolutely outstanding. In one year, he’s becoming a true competitor and contributor.

.@iPass4Zona's 307 assists (4 tonight) are the fourth most by a @Sixers rookie in a season, passing Scott Brooks.
— Sixers Stats (@SixersStats) March 18, 2016

But the team will need more. And with his emergence, he has earned the right to deliver more.

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