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What to Make of TJ McConnell’s Late-Game Heroics

Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell (1) shoots the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell (1) shoots the game winning shot during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Last night, TJ McConnell hit another clutch shot to put away another struggling team — leading some people to call him “the clutchest player in NBA history.”

The NBA is full of unsung heroes — the guys who come out of nowhere to make game-winners. When unsung heroes rise to the occasion with consistency though, they start to get noticed. Enter Philadelphia 76ers hero T.J. McConnell.

A Look at the Clutchness

McConnell’s most recent victim was the Orlando Magic. After a recovering a jump ball, the 6’2” point guard drove on CJ Watson and floated in the game-winner. He also stole the ball in the final 5.8 seconds to finish off the game.

Whereas his previous game-winner came over a division rival in the New York Knicks, this one came against a team that had the fourth-worst record in the NBA. So, it wasn’t necessarily as sweet, and hitting the game-winner over Watson doesn’t sound as sweet as hitting one over Carmelo Anthony.

It is also worth noting that the Magic have seen more than their fair share of game-winners and clutch shots in the past.

For proof of that, look no further than this compilation of game winners and clutch shots from the 2015-16 season. It starts off with three Magic games with thrilling finishes.

There was also this time when Tobias Harris hit the shot over Robert Covington to keep up the Sixers’ losing streak two seasons ago. This might be the latest evidence that even basketball follows the rules of Karma.

What is All That Worth?

What should NBA fans and pundits alike think of McConnell? It is actually quite simple: despite making headlines for hitting game-winners, the Arizona alumni is not the long-term answer for the Sixers.

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Sure, he plays really hard, but he is Milwaukee Bucks’ point guard Matthew Dellavedova 2.0 on a good day. Like his Australian counterpart, he is not a good enough three-point shooter to stick around in the NBA for too long, and his offense in general is lacking. Making two big shots doesn’t reconcile him from the 25 of his 32 attempts from deep that missed the mark. If that’s not enough, he also has the misfortune of being on the Sixers’ carousel of point guards.

At least future superstar and franchise-savior Joel Embiid is high on McConnell—comparing him to Michael Jordan on Twitter.

So, Sixers fans, enjoy the excitement of the TJ McConnell Show. Pray that it lasts. But don’t be disappointed when he is playing backup to a 19-year-old next season, assuming he’s still on the roster.

Next: Sell S. Rodriguez or Move Him Aside

T.J. McConnell is an undrafted Philadelphia 76er. While he may be contrbuting now, he will eventually find himself coming off the Sixers’ bench.  But for now, we can enjoy the production.