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.
Behind the Buck Pass
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.