The Philadelphia 76ers have a loaded backcourt right now, and will likely have to make some cuts after training camp. T.J. McConnell should not be cut.
If any player has had a harder path than T.J. McConnell to the NBA, I’d like to see it. McConnell, an underdog for sure, entered his rookie year as an undrafted player who had a lot to prove to any NBA teams looking for a point guard.
Just a few years ago people were doubting that he’d be able to succeed in his transfer to Arizona, and he did. Just last offseason people said he wouldn’t be able to make an NBA team. Even when he was brought onto the Sixers training camp and preseason roster, people didn’t believe he would be around.
And finally, once he proved them wrong there, people didn’t think he would make it to January 10th, the day where his contract became guaranteed for the whole year. But he did that, too.
Now, as we exit summer league and enter the training camp period, the McConnell doubters are back. “He can’t shoot, or do anything other than pass,” is their main knock on McConnell. Based on what I’ve seen from McConnell and his ability to channel doubts and turn it into production, I believe he will make this team.
I also believe there’s reason to bring him onto this team. In fact, I believe there’s a lot of reasons to bring him onto this team, and it goes far beyond his passing ability.
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