McConnell is X-Man Rogue
T.J. McConnell is a very unique and undervalued player for the Philadelphia 76ers. But he has found plenty of praise in our articles. You see, this young man has been fighting virtually every game to remain on this roster. And throughout his young career, whenever he faces more skilled back-court players, he absorbs their skills – similar to that superpower of X-Man Rogue. The pattern is all-too-familiar now. Each season, the team loads up on guards, burying McConnell in the depth chart.
He began his NBA career in 2015-16, where he faced playing behind Isaiah Canaan and Ish Smith. Then, in 2016-2017, he faced playing behind Jerryd Bayless, Ben Simmons, and Sergio Rodriguez. And finally, in 2017-2018, he faced playing behind Ben Simmons, Jerryd Bayless, and Markelle Fultz.
Grows from competition
Each season of his career, the competition grew that much tougher. But each season, he did not wilt in the face of competition. He watched, he discussed, he learned. From Ish Smith, he learned how to alley oop, and set up his teammates. From Sergio Rodriguez, he upped his game as a facilitator, and honed his ability to set up teammates with head=turning assists.
Now from Ben Simmons, he is learning to up his game on rebounds, assists, scoring, and stealing. Each time a new player arrives to “take over” in the back court, McConnell improves by incorporating that players arsenal into his own. And now, his arsenal includes posting up triple-doubles. Wow.