The Sixer Sense
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5 New Years resolutions for 2018 Philadelphia 76ers

By Bret Stuter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: The lottery balls are picked inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 16: The lottery balls are picked inside the lottery room during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. 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 Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: TJ McConnell
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: TJ McConnell /

Resolution II – Ben Simmons will be challenged for leading assists per game by T.J. McConnell

This is not a dig at Ben Simmons. Rather, it’s a belief that T.J. McConnell will, once more, up his game to par with his teammates.  T.J. McConnell endures plenty of negativity leading up to each NBA season. Will he make the team? Will he earn any playing minutes?  But by the time the season begins, he finds his way onto the basketball court.  Once there, magical things happen.

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Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers /

Behind the Buck Pass

  • OKC Thunder waive TyTy Washington Jr to alleviate some roster crunch Thunderous Intentions
  • Should the Suns trade Deandre Ayton to the Indiana Pacers? Valley of the Suns
  • The Milwaukee Bucks' ideal trade target could be in their division Behind the Buck Pass
  • The five biggest things the Pacers learned during Summer League 8 Points, 9 Seconds
  • T.J. McConnell would cap off perfect offseason for the Suns Valley of the Suns

    • Joel Embiid has little experience with basketball, but is rumored to replicate moves on the court he learns by watching basketball videos.  McConnell is a little more hands on.  As the team ups the competition for point guard minutes, McConnell ups his game to draw even with his teammates. Right now, he is coming off the bench to relieve Ben Simmons.

    As of December 14, 2017, Simmons is averaging 7.7 assists per game.  McConnell is averaging 4.9 assists per game.  But McConnell is fighting injury and less playing time. A year ago, he averaged 6.6 assists.

    But so far, the team is still working through compatible rotations, and the role of T.J. McConnell has varied at times now.  Over the remainder of this season, some roles will settle.  At some point, McConnell’s role of facilitator will take over, and his role will be to distribute the basketball to the hot-hands.  As that happens, look for his assists per game to skyrocket once more.