The Sixer Sense
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T.J. McConnell Deserves A Philadelphia 76er Role

By Bret Stuter

Jan 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard T.J. McConnell (12) talk as time winds down in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard T.J. McConnell (12) talk as time winds down in the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) looks on from the court in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) looks on from the court in the first half against the Texas A&M Aggies during the SEC conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Future

And so, here we are, trying to pick out who stays and who doesn’t. In fact, so much of our time currently is spent on who will shine the brightest in a Sixers jersey in the years ahead, that we’ve overlooked one very important item.

For every pyramid, it’s the foundation that is the most important.  The burden of carrying the team is not at the uppermost point, but at the ground level. The team of champions is only as strong as the entire roster.  While the debate of Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram wages on, there is plenty of solid reasons to consider who comes in for relief off the bench.

Good teams have good benches.  Great teams have great benches.  Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are a team trying to find a way to form a cohesive and effective NBA team.  The Sixers are not just about adding stars or veterans, but about keeping the tough minded gritty players who love a challenge.

We know that the Philadelphia 76ers will be shopping for a veteran point guard, and that one of the roles discussed in top NBA draft prospect Ben Simmons is his ability to act as field general from a forward position.

But it’s not as simple as all of that.  While Simmons has incredible basketball intelligence, and an amazing arsenal of passes and moves to generate unequivocal ball distribution on the basketball court, he will need a reserve.  Simmons is unique to the NBA, but even as the team builds a roster to his strengths, the Sixers will need other players to match optimally what their opponents will bring.

McConnell brings assists, steals, and rebounds.  Shooting will come, but that is the same “issue” with Ben Simmons, so the philosophy of either player as ball distributor needn’t change whatsoever.    When Simmons is in the game, the Sixers can switch in a shooter like Isaiah Canaan at point guard, a role Canaan is familiar with.  When Simmons rests, the team can rotate in T.J. McConnell at point guard for Canaan, and Robert Covington for Simmons.

The other major component right now is the salary cost. Our recent past of austerity has ruined us going forward, as we never consider it.  The other 29 NBA teams certainly must factor in the wages, and we need to prepare to do so as well.  Economically, McConnell has no equal in the NBA for what he delivers. None.  His biggest vulnerability, the audacity to shoot, will come over time just as it has to many point guards with true upside.  Now that the Philadelphia 76ers are truly building the roster, they can look to the attic, but they had better ensure the foundation is well constructed.

Next: The Philadelphia 76ers Should Take Simmons Over Ingram

McConnell deserves a Philadelphia 76er role.