The Sixer Sense
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Why it’s difficult to picture T.J. McConnell falling out of the rotation

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: T.J. McConnell #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 24, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 24: T.J. McConnell #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 24, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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T.J. McConnell was the Philadelphia 76ers‘ Teammate of the Year, and that could be what cements him in the rotation long term.

The NBPA announced their Players Voice Awards on Friday, in which the Philadelphia 76ers had a promising amount of inclusion. Joel Embiid won the award for best social media follow, and backed that up Comeback Player of the Year — a testament to both his resilience and his production after two years of intensive rehab.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

Embiid, however, wasn’t the only Sixer to get recognized. Teammate of the Year honors were given to one person on every team, and T.J. McConnell was Philadelphia’s man of choice. These were awards that were voted on by the players, which means the Sixers’ locker room clearly valued the impact T.J. had.

There are some questions about what exactly McConnell’s role will be next season. He’s not the most athletically gifted force on the roster, and Jerryd Bayless‘ shooting prowess could make him a better theoretical fit as the backup point guard behind Markelle Fultz. McConnell’s limitations are going to hurt him in any setting, but they’re especially detrimental now that he’s fighting for playing time with other apt pieces.

The question now becomes relatively simple: Does McConnell have enough to keep his spot. If that Teammate of the Year honor is any indication, I have a tough time picturing a rotation that doesn’t feature the former Arizona standout in some fashion.

The bulk of the criteria for that award, albeit unspecified, likely lies off the court. McConnell was voted in for his presence in the locker room, as well as the general positivity he seems to exude on a daily basis when watching the team from afar.

Even with that in mind, being a good teammate does translate to the court as well. He has developed a solid rapport with a lot of the pieces elsewhere in the rotation, while his basketball I.Q. and willingness as a passer makes him one of the more team-friendly entities currently on the roster.

Players enjoy playing with a point guard who gets them the ball with crisp, well-placed passes. McConnell isn’t out there to out-shoot the opposing team, nor does he pound the ball aimlessly a la Sergio Rodriguez. He probes the interior, finds the open teammate and pours all of his effort into the other side of the ball.

The latter part is equally as important in this discussion  For all the credit Embiid and Robert Covington have gotten for their defense, it’s important to remember how much better Philadelphia got once McConnell stepped into the starting group.

His energy helps fill the gaps he has physically, while the hustle he displays is contagious for those around him. He gets the crowd into the game with defense alone, while teammates are more willing to fight when they see McConnell grilling the opposition’s main ball handler.

McConnell has value beyond the box score, and his contributions — while limited physically — were integral to the team’s success last season. He’s not just a fan favorite. He’s a team favorite, and he exemplifies everything Brett Brown wants in his players.

Next: East proving to be a double-edged sword for the Sixers

T.J. might not be more talented than Bayless, but he’ll outwork him on any day of the week. Expect to see T.J. playing some real minutes — perhaps even playoff minutes — come 2018.