The Sixer Sense
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T.J. McConnell should be a vital part of the Sixers’ future

By Trey Fox

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 11, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** T.J. McConnell
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on March 11, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** T.J. McConnell /
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As the Philadelphia 76ers continue to add depth to the roster, one could argue that T.J. McConnell still deserves quality minutes.

The Philadelphia 76ers are in a great position heading into the 2018-19 NBA season.  The duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid will continue their reign on the league alongside an abundance of established complementary pieces.  Markelle Fultz is spending hours in the gym perfecting his craft, so fans have a lot to look forward to from him.

The Sixers have also added veteran role players (e.g. Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala) who will garner significant minutes off the bench.  In addition, young players such as Zhaire Smith and Furkan Korkmaz will be counted on to deliver off the bench.  However, that begs the question: what role should T.J. McConnell have this upcoming season?

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T.J. should continue to play a significant role off the bench.  He has established himself as a gritty, high-energy player who thrives under pressure.  He’s exactly what the team and its fans need.

Offense

T.J. McConnell is an incredible floor general and his main strength on offense is his ability to find the open man.  He has a knack for creating openings through dribble penetration which either leads to an easy look at the rim or an open three for one of his teammates.

In addition, a three-point percentage of 43.5 percent (career 33.5 percent) last season demonstrates his commitment to growth.  His willingness to take and make more threes makes the defense more vulnerable than it was in the past.

Defense

T.J. McConnell is oftentimes the smallest player on the floor (6-foot-2), but that doesn’t prevent him from tightly guarding the opposing team’s best player.  T.J. is an irritant for opposing players because of his tenacity.  He never gives up on a play, is excellent at denying the ball, and knows how to read passing lanes.  He is willing to pick a player up full-court, and uses his quickness to pester the ball-handler he’s defending.

Conclusion

T.J. McConnell isn’t the sort of player who will “wow” you in terms of his individual statistics, but it’s his impact on the game that has earned him minutes on the floor.  Let’s face it, he’s a fan-favorite for a reason.

T.J. has proven time and time again that he deserves quality minutes and should be a part of the Sixers’ long-term plans.  There’s immense value in the intangibles that he possesses because those characteristics help establish a winning culture.

T.J. has continued to make strides on offense throughout his career, and his skill on the defensive end cannot be overstated.  As I mentioned, he’s a guy who delivers in big games — a recent example being Game 4 against the Boston Celtics when he dropped 19 points and five assists in 39 minutes of action.

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The Sixers’ staff would be wise to continue to feature him significantly.