T.J. McConnell meets with the media after Saturday’s game.
Former Arizona Wildcats point guard T.J. McConnell, starting his third season with the Philadelphia 76ers after making the team as an undrafted free agent, figured to be pushed to the back of the rotation this season.
Former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons was ready to debut after missing last season with injury and slated to handle some point guard duties; the team drafted guard Markelle Fultz at No. 1 overall in the 2017 draft; and ex-Wildcat Jerryd Bayless — who has turned into more of a 3-point sniper through his NBA career — was joining the backcourt after sitting out almost all of last season with a wrist injury.
Philadelphia signed J.J. Redick.
But McConnell, who started 51 games last season, continues to excel in a reserve role, taking advantage of Fultz’s health injuries and, on Saturday night, Redick’s absence. McConnell had 15 points, eight assists, four rebounds and a steal in the 76ers’ win over Dallas. A game earlier, he had nine assists and six steals in a loss to Houston.
“Just waiting for Coach to tell me what to do and when to go in and kind of go from there,” McConnell told reporters Saturday night. “I sound like a broken record, but I’m just here to do whatever this team needs me to do — help them win.”
Here, via the 76ers, are McConnell highlights from Saturday night. You won’t regret spending the 2 1/2-minutes.
TJ being TJ. pic.twitter.com/rSRDdKvLj8
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 29, 2017
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