TJ McConnell

KG Leonard · Post #41 » by **KG Leonard** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:18 pm

I saw him do the same stuff vs Celtics last year, i love defence and smart players who dont have it very easy with length, athletics.

It is inspiring to watch players like him, it shows it takes intelligence, toughness to get to this level, specially when you went undrafted.
This is also why many so talented players like Jalen Green types fail often in the NBA. You need way more than the gifts you were born with.

Post #42 » by **zimpy27** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:41 pm

Playing with intensity is a skill, TJ is elite at it.

Zukkoyaki · Post #43 » by **Zukkoyaki** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 1:29 pm

Bro plays like Monte Ellis in 2k13. Just an absolute menace.

lambchop · Post #44 » by **lambchop** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 1:50 pm

zimpy27 wrote:Playing with intensity is a skill, TJ is elite at it.

This. It's also about understanding how to do it without fouling or recklessly injuring other players or even yourself.

kwajo · Post #45 » by **kwajo** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:09 pm

Saints14 wrote:One thing I've loved about this postseason is just how many dawgs there are at the higher levels of basketball and how valuable they are in the playoffs. Caruso, Dort, Josh Hart, Nembhard. And McConnell might be the biggest one

I think this is an important point. There are so many talented guys in the league, but you can't get deep into the playoffs without at least a few dawgs on your team, meaning you need the guys with high motors, who genuinely hate to lose, and will never take a play off. Indiana and OKC both have a bunch of those guys and I think it really makes a difference after a long season and when games really come down to effort and planning.

Post #46 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:14 pm

picc wrote:It's fun to watch him work.

He's a blast!

Post #47 » by **dakomish23** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:17 pm

"McConnell had 3 McConnells in game 3!"

"Yeah he had 2 half McConnells (where he steals the ball from the guy who catches the inbounds) and 1 full McConnell (where he steals the inbound pass)

Zach Lowe & Bill Simmons Game 3 recap

I like it. Call this particular play a McConnell from now till the big crunch

rockmanslim · Post #48 » by **rockmanslim** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:24 pm

Asian Celtic wrote:If he had a solid 3pt shooting, he'd be a starter material even with those defensive deficiencies.

But then the Pacers wouldn't be able to afford him. Crazy how life works out sometimes.

kodo · Post #49 » by **kodo** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:48 pm

Love these undrafted guys playing well in the Finals.
Overall this has been the "anti process" Finals.

Drafted status:
Haliburton: 12
Siakam: 27
Turner: 11
Nembhard: 2nd rounder
Nesmith: 14
McConnell: undrafted

SGA: 11
JDub: 12
Hartenstein: 2nd rounder
Dort: undrafted
Caruso: undrafted
Wallace: 10
Wiggins: 2nd rounder

tcheco · Post #50 » by **tcheco** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:54 pm

He is like that since his early days in Philly, he is worth every cent, hard work and effort will beat talent without effort, always. He will be a fan favorite and Rick will keep him around as much as he can. Makes you cheer for him whatever team ou support

TrueFan420 · Post #51 » by **TrueFan420** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 3:02 pm

Glad to see TJ getting his flowers. I’ve wanted him for our backup PG for ages. He’s an ideal role player.

Bernman · Post #52 » by **Bernman** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 4:33 pm

jk31 wrote:
Asian Celtic wrote:If he had a solid 3pt shooting, he'd be a starter material even with those defensive deficiencies.

hey, if he is wide open and has a few seconds of time, then he throws the ball as far as he can and sometimes it goes in. doesnt that count as 3pt shooting?

Maybe the secret to being an even better player in his mid 30's will be simply deciding to pump iron so he can get the shot all the way to the hoop.

Liam_Gallagher · Post #53 » by **Liam_Gallagher** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 5:04 pm

picc wrote:Imagine him and Jose Alvarado on the same team.

TBH I think it's better to have just one, because he'll have that lone identity as the team's energizer bunny. When you have to share a title your spark naturally fades away a bit.

strokerace · Post #54 » by **strokerace** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 7:30 pm

kwajo wrote:
Saints14 wrote:One thing I've loved about this postseason is just how many dawgs there are at the higher levels of basketball and how valuable they are in the playoffs. Caruso, Dort, Josh Hart, Nembhard. And McConnell might be the biggest one

I think this is an important point. There are so many talented guys in the league, but you can't get deep into the playoffs without at least a few dawgs on your team, meaning you need the guys with high motors, who genuinely hate to lose, and will never take a play off. Indiana and OKC both have a bunch of those guys and I think it really makes a difference after a long season and when games really come down to effort and planning.

It's what I feel like the Celtics were lacking during the playoffs. Pritchard has it but not really anyone else. TJ was really fun to watch.

Post #55 » by **boomershadow** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 7:58 pm

Nuntius wrote:I understand that this isn't the most thought-provoking OP but, man, TJ McConnell really earned himself the right to have his own GB thread after tonight's performance.

He had 5 steals in 15 minutes. 5. 3 of them were on the inbound pass.

Bill Simmons, on his past pod, is now calling stealing the inbound pass after a make "the McConnell".

Post #56 » by **tsherkin** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 8:03 pm

boomershadow wrote:
Nuntius wrote:I understand that this isn't the most thought-provoking OP but, man, TJ McConnell really earned himself the right to have his own GB thread after tonight's performance.

He had 5 steals in 15 minutes. 5. 3 of them were on the inbound pass.

Bill Simmons, on his past pod, is now calling stealing the inbound pass after a make "the McConnell".

Feels like that iconic postseason Bird play should get that title from a Bostoner...

Is he getting senile in his old age? xD

Post #57 » by **Nuntius** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:13 pm

boomershadow wrote:
Nuntius wrote:I understand that this isn't the most thought-provoking OP but, man, TJ McConnell really earned himself the right to have his own GB thread after tonight's performance.

He had 5 steals in 15 minutes. 5. 3 of them were on the inbound pass.

Bill Simmons, on his past pod, is now calling stealing the inbound pass after a make "the McConnell".

It feels like Denari and Buckner have been calling that for ages :lol:

Post #58 » by **Ice Man** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:03 pm

TJ's the answer to the following trivial question, "Who is the best remaining player from The Process?" Embiid doesn't play, Simmons doesn't play, and the rest of 'em are out of the league. OK, Markelle Fultz scored 2.9 ppg for the KIngs.

That's who the Sixers lost game after game after game for ... TJ McConnell.

Post #59 » by **Ice Man** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:05 pm

tsherkin wrote:Feels like that iconic postseason Bird play should get that title from a Bostoner...

TJ is white. That makes him an honorary '80s Celtic.

76thBearCub · Post #60 » by **76thBearCub** » Thu Jun 12, 2025 10:09 pm

Bernman wrote:
jk31 wrote:
Asian Celtic wrote:If he had a solid 3pt shooting, he'd be a starter material even with those defensive deficiencies.

hey, if he is wide open and has a few seconds of time, then he throws the ball as far as he can and sometimes it goes in. doesnt that count as 3pt shooting?

Maybe the secret to being an even better player in his mid 30's will be simply deciding to pump iron so he can get the shot all the way to the hoop.

What's crazy is he's definitely been lifting since his Philly days. He's just an average sized guy out there with giants.