Philadelphia 76ers: 3 players that Brett Brown helped

Former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown positively impacted three players.

Recently I wrote about three players that Brett Brown failed three players while acting as the Philadelphia 76ers head coach. While it’s certainly was easy to think of players Brown failed as a head coach, there were a couple that he didn’t fail.

The players on this list Brown either brought the best out of or gave them their big break to get into the league. Granted some of those players who got their break on the Sixers could also thank former general manager Sam Hinkie, but Brown was the one who played those players.

3 players that Brett Brown helped: T.J. McConnell

T.J. McConnell represented the Sixers and Philadelphia very well. He started by not getting drafted out of college but was brought in as a free agent rookie during “The Process” aka the Sixers rebuild. He worked hard to earn a roster spot and didn’t disappoint.

McConnell isn’t a special athlete nor is he an especially good 3-point shooter, but what he does do, he does very well. He can run an offense efficiently great playmaker, good mid-range shooter, and is a gritty defender.

Brown believed in McConnell and developed those skills, which is impressive when looking back at all the point guard Brown failed to develop, for example, Michael Carter-Williams, Kendall Marshall, Markelle Fultz. During his 76ers tenure, McConnell averaged 6.4 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals.

It was a shame when the Sixers didn’t re-sign McConnell last offseason. He was truly the heart and soul of the bench. He was a steady hand that Brown relied upon. No, he’s not perfect, but he provided what Brown liked in a backup point guard and should continue to do so as a member of the Indiana Pacers.