Why does TJ still play!

[mithrandir17]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/251445/Suns-Offered-2nd-Round-Pick-To-76ers-For-TJ-McConnell

What kind of blasphemy is this? TJ is atleast worth Booker and an unprotected first

[Eyeamok]

TJ is worth more to the 76ers than he is to anyone else.

[phillynative]

The question is do we resign him?

[Chris76]

TJ is worth more to the 76ers than he is to anyone else.

Some small backup Pgs are doing well this year.
JJ Barea, Tyus Jones, TJ, and others. Maybe, the freedom of movement rule helps them.

[thejuice17]

The question is do we resign him?

NO WAY

[XDevilBoiX]

This guys should be traded by Brand ASAP so it forces Brett to play Fultz. We can’t have a scrub playing over a no.1 pick.

[jcsunsfan]

If you don't want to keep him, why won't you trade him. You could pick up a high second round pick from the Suns. Don't understand why hanging on.

[cool93]

If you don't want to keep him, why won't you trade him. You could pick up a high second round pick from the Suns. Don't understand why hanging on.

There is no certanty with Fultz, there are two different possibilities where TJ is needed as backup - 1) Fultz completely busts, 2) Fultz regains value but fit is just horrendous with Simmons and Biid and we need to trade him. And those possibilities are at least as possible as that he becomes a star.

And there is no big need in 2nds, we have a **** of them and our scouting department isn't that good anyway.

[jcsunsfan]

If you don't want to keep him, why won't you trade him. You could pick up a high second round pick from the Suns. Don't understand why hanging on.

There is no certanty with Fultz, there are two different possibilities where TJ is needed as backup - 1) Fultz completely busts, 2) Fultz regains value but fit is just horrendous with Simmons and Biid and we need to trade him. And those possibilities are at least as possible as that he becomes a star.

And there is no big need in 2nds, we have a **** of them and our scouting department isn't that good anyway.

Ha! Same here. Thats why we want to trade them away.

[LloydFree]

The question is do we resign him?

Depends on how much and who else is on the team.

[Arsenal]

The question is do we resign him?

If the price is right, why not? However we cannot sign him until after we use our cap space since his cap hold is super low.

[CoreyGallagher]

So, he's back to being the trusty TJ we all used to appreciate. Since the Butler acquisition, or rather since Fultz fell out of the rotation I suppose, TJ has been much better.

Still not particularly productive (5.4 pts, 2.4 asts, 1.6 rbs in 19.2 mins), but much more efficient (53.1 fg%, 40% from three) and less turnover prone (1.1 tovs). Team has been +15.6 with him, +2.0 without him (+13.6 net differential) during the span.

[kingofthecourt67]

I think it's a must to re-sign him. Obviously scrappy player who plays back up minutes well, but just as important in my opinion is his importance to continuity of culture. Losing RoCo and Saric was a big blow, and I think that magnifies the necessity of keeping TJ. Plus, I'll be really sad if he plays elsewhere.

[Kova]

Couldn't find original TJ thread, so I figured this was the one..

He wrote a piece in Players Tribune.. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/tj-mcconnell-nba-sixers-process

Talks about the process, expectations, nothing special, but a fun read.

[brannigan73]

Why is he playing? Because even though he is mediocre he is their 5th or 6th best player and one of the few guys that can handle the ball soundly and can sometimes be a pest on D. Its bad enough we are giving Landry Shamet and Furkan Korkmaz 30-40 minutes a game combined sometimes you know what lets play those two more!

[bball4life]

If you've read any game threads, you know my stance on playing TJ. I apologize for how often I rant about him, but hopefully this explains why.

I don't agree with but can understand the reasoning with playing TJ as the backup PG when Simmons is on the bench. I think even these limited minutes should go to players like Shake and Shamet who may have a future role on a championship caliber team which I don't believe TJ ever will. But I digress.

TJ should NEVER see the floor with Ben playing at any time ever. The stats bear it out. The 2 man lineup of Ben and TJ this year is -4.6 net rating. This is by far the WORST net rating for any Sixers pair that has at least 400 minutes playing together this year. And its not hard to figure out why on offense: SPACING. You can pack the paint when either of them has the ball with no repercussions. Heck, TJ you don't have to guard at all except for exactly 8 feet from the basket. This is a nightmare on offense for the Sixers and I'm literally praying every second they are on the court together that the other team doesn't put the game out of reach.

But it doesn't begin and end on offense: TJ is a PUTRID defensive player. He has somehow garnered a reputation as a defensive bulldog or whatever, but again the stats show otherwise. Taking ESPN's DRPM, TJ is ranked as the 70th worst PG in the league behind such defensive stalwarts as Mudiay and DLo. Yeah, that's not just bad, its horrifying. And the eye test bears this out. If the other team even bothers to set a screen, it completely obliterates TJ seemingly every single time like he just ran into an electrified fence. Completely removes him from the play. But lately I've noticed teams that have guards who are even a little offensively inclined don't even bother setting screens. They literally just dribble right past him like he's a traffic cone, no crossovers or other deception, just run right by like he's glued to the floor.

Yes, he tries, really, really hard and I assume that's why Brett loves him and continues to sabotage his own team by playing him so much, but it doesn't make up for the fact that he's tiny, slow, can't jump and has trex arms.

For those who don't agree and still think he's worth playing, at least watch for these situations in the game. Its blatant and horrifying to watch.

THE SOLUTION:
For the love of all that's good in the world, try playing Shamet / Shake or even go big with Bolden/Shamet or Bolden/Shake when Embiid and Redick come out after 5 minutes of game time. Simmons is still out there to handle playmaking. Shamet or Butler can surely bring the ball up like TJ does, and unlike TJ, you actually have to guard Shamet or even Bolden a little bit because they will shoot a 3 ball. If it were me, I'd also be giving all of Ben's backup minutes to Shake/Shamet too and see what happens. Its highly unlikely they could be any worse than what TJ brings and they have a chance to improve where TJ does not.

I see a small glimmer of hope in that lately Shamet is getting some PG minutes in garbage time that the analytics guys and everyone else on the Sixers staff must be begging Brett to stop playing TJ. But Brett is a loyal and stubborn man so I'm not holding my breath.

[Winejk]

If you've read any game threads, you know my stance on playing TJ. I apologize for how often I rant about him, but hopefully this explains why.

I don't agree with but can understand the reasoning with playing TJ as the backup PG when Simmons is on the bench. I think even these limited minutes should go to players like Shake and Shamet who may have a future role on a championship caliber team which I don't believe TJ ever will. But I digress.

TJ should NEVER see the floor with Ben playing at any time ever. The stats bear it out. The 2 man lineup of Ben and TJ this year is -4.6 net rating. This is by far the WORST net rating for any Sixers pair that has at least 400 minutes playing together this year. And its not hard to figure out why on offense: SPACING. You can pack the paint when either of them has the ball with no repercussions. Heck, TJ you don't have to guard at all except for exactly 8 feet from the basket. This is a nightmare on offense for the Sixers and I'm literally praying every second they are on the court together that the other team doesn't put the game out of reach.

But it doesn't begin and end on offense: TJ is a PUTRID defensive player. He has somehow garnered a reputation as a defensive bulldog or whatever, but again the stats show otherwise. Taking ESPN's DRPM, TJ is ranked as the 70th worst PG in the league behind such defensive stalwarts as Mudiay and DLo. Yeah, that's not just bad, its horrifying. And the eye test bears this out. If the other team even bothers to set a screen, it completely obliterates TJ seemingly every single time like he just ran into an electrified fence. Completely removes him from the play. But lately I've noticed teams that have guards who are even a little offensively inclined don't even bother setting screens. They literally just dribble right past him like he's a traffic cone, no crossovers or other deception, just run right by like he's glued to the floor.

Yes, he tries, really, really hard and I assume that's why Brett loves him and continues to sabotage his own team by playing him so much, but it doesn't make up for the fact that he's tiny, slow, can't jump and has trex arms.

For those who don't agree and still think he's worth playing, at least watch for these situations in the game. Its blatant and horrifying to watch.

THE SOLUTION:
For the love of all that's good in the world, try playing Shamet / Shake or even go big with Bolden/Shamet or Bolden/Shake when Embiid and Redick come out after 5 minutes of game time. Simmons is still out there to handle playmaking. Shamet or Butler can surely bring the ball up like TJ does, and unlike TJ, you actually have to guard Shamet or even Bolden a little bit because they will shoot a 3 ball. If it were me, I'd also be giving all of Ben's backup minutes to Shake/Shamet too and see what happens. Its highly unlikely they could be any worse than what TJ brings and they have a chance to improve where TJ does not.

I see a small glimmer of hope in that lately Shamet is getting some PG minutes in garbage time that the analytics guys and everyone else on the Sixers staff must be begging Brett to stop playing TJ. But Brett is a loyal and stubborn man so I'm not holding my breath.

I like TJ. However, I understand he has limitations.

Instead of TJ running the 2nd unit, I'd much rather see Jimmy Butler running the offense using heavy PnR. That's the kind of offense we are going to need in a 7 game series when teams scout and are prepared. This pass and space offense that Brown loves is fine and dandy but in crunch time and playoff time it can be shut down. At the very least we need to diversify from pass and space so if it does get shut down, there is another style we can throw at teams.

[AI_Efficiency]

If you've read any game threads, you know my stance on playing TJ. I apologize for how often I rant about him, but hopefully this explains why.

I don't agree with but can understand the reasoning with playing TJ as the backup PG when Simmons is on the bench. I think even these limited minutes should go to players like Shake and Shamet who may have a future role on a championship caliber team which I don't believe TJ ever will. But I digress.

TJ should NEVER see the floor with Ben playing at any time ever. The stats bear it out. The 2 man lineup of Ben and TJ this year is -4.6 net rating. This is by far the WORST net rating for any Sixers pair that has at least 400 minutes playing together this year. And its not hard to figure out why on offense: SPACING. You can pack the paint when either of them has the ball with no repercussions. Heck, TJ you don't have to guard at all except for exactly 8 feet from the basket. This is a nightmare on offense for the Sixers and I'm literally praying every second they are on the court together that the other team doesn't put the game out of reach.

But it doesn't begin and end on offense: TJ is a PUTRID defensive player. He has somehow garnered a reputation as a defensive bulldog or whatever, but again the stats show otherwise. Taking ESPN's DRPM, TJ is ranked as the 70th worst PG in the league behind such defensive stalwarts as Mudiay and DLo. Yeah, that's not just bad, its horrifying. And the eye test bears this out. If the other team even bothers to set a screen, it completely obliterates TJ seemingly every single time like he just ran into an electrified fence. Completely removes him from the play. But lately I've noticed teams that have guards who are even a little offensively inclined don't even bother setting screens. They literally just dribble right past him like he's a traffic cone, no crossovers or other deception, just run right by like he's glued to the floor.

Yes, he tries, really, really hard and I assume that's why Brett loves him and continues to sabotage his own team by playing him so much, but it doesn't make up for the fact that he's tiny, slow, can't jump and has trex arms.

For those who don't agree and still think he's worth playing, at least watch for these situations in the game. Its blatant and horrifying to watch.

THE SOLUTION:
For the love of all that's good in the world, try playing Shamet / Shake or even go big with Bolden/Shamet or Bolden/Shake when Embiid and Redick come out after 5 minutes of game time. Simmons is still out there to handle playmaking. Shamet or Butler can surely bring the ball up like TJ does, and unlike TJ, you actually have to guard Shamet or even Bolden a little bit because they will shoot a 3 ball. If it were me, I'd also be giving all of Ben's backup minutes to Shake/Shamet too and see what happens. Its highly unlikely they could be any worse than what TJ brings and they have a chance to improve where TJ does not.

I see a small glimmer of hope in that lately Shamet is getting some PG minutes in garbage time that the analytics guys and everyone else on the Sixers staff must be begging Brett to stop playing TJ. But Brett is a loyal and stubborn man so I'm not holding my breath.

Agree 100%.

[GuideDog]

If you've read any game threads, you know my stance on playing TJ. I apologize for how often I rant about him, but hopefully this explains why.

I don't agree with but can understand the reasoning with playing TJ as the backup PG when Simmons is on the bench. I think even these limited minutes should go to players like Shake and Shamet who may have a future role on a championship caliber team which I don't believe TJ ever will. But I digress.

TJ should NEVER see the floor with Ben playing at any time ever. The stats bear it out. The 2 man lineup of Ben and TJ this year is -4.6 net rating. This is by far the WORST net rating for any Sixers pair that has at least 400 minutes playing together this year. And its not hard to figure out why on offense: SPACING. You can pack the paint when either of them has the ball with no repercussions. Heck, TJ you don't have to guard at all except for exactly 8 feet from the basket. This is a nightmare on offense for the Sixers and I'm literally praying every second they are on the court together that the other team doesn't put the game out of reach.

But it doesn't begin and end on offense: TJ is a PUTRID defensive player. He has somehow garnered a reputation as a defensive bulldog or whatever, but again the stats show otherwise. Taking ESPN's DRPM, TJ is ranked as the 70th worst PG in the league behind such defensive stalwarts as Mudiay and DLo. Yeah, that's not just bad, its horrifying. And the eye test bears this out. If the other team even bothers to set a screen, it completely obliterates TJ seemingly every single time like he just ran into an electrified fence. Completely removes him from the play. But lately I've noticed teams that have guards who are even a little offensively inclined don't even bother setting screens. They literally just dribble right past him like he's a traffic cone, no crossovers or other deception, just run right by like he's glued to the floor.

Yes, he tries, really, really hard and I assume that's why Brett loves him and continues to sabotage his own team by playing him so much, but it doesn't make up for the fact that he's tiny, slow, can't jump and has trex arms.

For those who don't agree and still think he's worth playing, at least watch for these situations in the game. Its blatant and horrifying to watch.

THE SOLUTION:
For the love of all that's good in the world, try playing Shamet / Shake or even go big with Bolden/Shamet or Bolden/Shake when Embiid and Redick come out after 5 minutes of game time. Simmons is still out there to handle playmaking. Shamet or Butler can surely bring the ball up like TJ does, and unlike TJ, you actually have to guard Shamet or even Bolden a little bit because they will shoot a 3 ball. If it were me, I'd also be giving all of Ben's backup minutes to Shake/Shamet too and see what happens. Its highly unlikely they could be any worse than what TJ brings and they have a chance to improve where TJ does not.

I see a small glimmer of hope in that lately Shamet is getting some PG minutes in garbage time that the analytics guys and everyone else on the Sixers staff must be begging Brett to stop playing TJ. But Brett is a loyal and stubborn man so I'm not holding my breath.

Agree 100%.

My sentiments exactly about TJ! Brett should never play him with Simmons. By playoffs, he better find another back up pg option.

[Simmons25]

The best thing that could ever happen to this team is if TJ gets traded.

To me there is nothing more frustrating than seeing Ben have to move over to the 4 and taking the ball out of his hands when he is creating mismatches and scoring... just to accommodate the fact that TJ is unable to play any other position other than the 1.

I would be ok with TJ if he only ever was on court when Ben needed a rest which is approx. 12 mins a game... but that is just not happening.