Philadelphia 76ers Thanksgiving: One thing to be thankful for with every player

T.J. McConnell — His grit

While there have been complaints about Brett Brown favoring T.J. McConnell over Markelle Fultz in important moments, those grievances are in the past. Few athletes embody Philadelphia in the manner T.J. does.

A former undrafted free agent, McConnell isn’t an elite athlete — or, in most cases, and NBA athlete. But he continues to impact the game, using his hustle and basketball I.Q. to make plays and shift momentum.

Few players will pick up the primary ball handler full-court, even in close games. McConnell does it on a regular basis, applying constant pressure at the point of attack. There are times where he’s the best option on high-octane point guards.

McConnell doesn’t like the term ‘grit’, but it’s a term his play style will always evoke. He grinds on every possession, finding ways to overcome his limited stature and underwhelming physical tools. It’s hard to imagine him in another jersey. He’s a true Process Sixer.