Philadelphia 76ers guard TJ McConnell is Joel Embiid’s “Mini Me”

Stepping up when a top pick must step back

As both Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz have arrived to the team, once more everyone expected the depth chart to witness McConnell’s plunge to four. But he had more to concern himself with than projections of his role with the team in the 2017-2018 season.  He married this year, and earned the Charles Barkley Award as well.

But the only thing that matters to this team is the ultimate prize – an NBA Championship.  This year, that point guard starting role is clearly in the hands of rookie Ben Simmons. But Simmons is not talking like a rookie, but like a team leader – a factor he no doubt observed in McConnell the year before.

McConnell still relevant.

Still, what role can McConnell play on this star-studded cast. Plenty.  So far, he is absorbing over 23 minutes per game while top-pick Markelle Fultz rehabilitates. But he has more of a role on the team than just placeholder. McConnell has surprisingly solid defense. And even with the return of Markelle Fultz, McConnell can come in to roll the team.   You see, when Fultz returns, the player most likely to sit on the bench is likely Dario Saric. The team will likely go back to the Embiid, Simmons, Covington, Redick, Fultz lineup.

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McConnell will fill the team’s need for back court ferocity. Keep in mind that the Cleveland Cavaliers wanted him last season. He is a competitor, and he has the frame of mince to sink game winning scores.  He has the “put it on me” frame of mind. Despite his stature, that is the similar mindset to Joel Embiid. He has been part of the entire process, has stepped up for the team time and time again.  He is just a smaller version of Joel Embiid, and Mini Embiid.