The 76ers left a precious player to walk in 2019, and the decision continues to haunt them for years later.
On Wednesday, the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks will play match 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers are directed by the leader of the stars Tyrese Haliburton, who has an average of 17.5 points, 9.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds this qualifying series.
The defense of the perimeter of the Pacers, anchored by the reserve leader Tj McConnell, will play a central role in their efforts to stop the former Star of Villanova, Jalen Brunson.
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McConnell being responsible for such a noble defensive assignment testifies to its tenacity. His ability to disrupt the team’s offensive flow and remove the elite markers from their matches was crucial in the Victories of the Pacers qualifiers against Cleveland and Milwaukee Bucks horsemen.
“TJ McConnell is a boring little [expletive] It flows, causes chaos, picks up 94 feet, someone who plays the basketball game extremely at a high level, competitive like hell, “said Knicks striker Josh Hart about 6 feet 1 inch and 190 pounds.” So we know once Tyrese Go Go Go [to the bench]It is not as if we could sit there and relax. You have someone in TJ who could be a starting point person for any other team in this league. “”
McConnell’s striking game helped the Pacers win four victories from the NBA final, a development that brings a renewed examination to the Sixers’ decision to let it work.
Since his departure, the team has not known a reserve game leader constantly corresponding to the energy of McConnell and to bidirectional production.
But even if he provided a regular presence in four seasons, McConnell’s re-signing was not a priority for the Sixers who come out of a second round defeat against the Raptors of Toronto in 2019.
The Pacers therefore took it with a contract of $ 7 million over two years on July 29, 2019. McConnell signed a contract of $ 33.6 million over four years on August 6, 2021, before receiving an extension of $ 44.8 million over four years for the 2028-2020 season.
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Being able to receive career profits from $ 89.8 million is a major achievement for a non -drained player who entered the Sixers training camp in 2015 as a fifth string.
“I really believe that playing hard is a skill, because if that were not the case, everyone would do it,” said McConnell on The young man and the three podcast. “And when I entered, I try to tell you about this type, [former Sixers assistant coach] Chris Babcock. He says to himself, “You have to stand out.” He says to himself: “No one takes care of the full court, and you have to make your business card.” »»
Babcock worked McConnell three times a day to put it in the form of an elite. These training sessions allowed him to recover full -fledged opponents.
“This is something I created on an identity,” he said. “And if you play very loudly and make life for the other team, the other things, like the offensive, that [expletive] will be set up. But if you are going to play exhaustion every time you are there, as I said, it just gives you a chance to make a list and get more minutes.
“I feel like I had a 10 -year career on the NBA to outdo people. You must have skills, of course, but make life really difficult at both ends. ”
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Although enlightened by the players, McConnell was a key element in the rotation of the Sixers. He helped the team go from one of the worst teams in the history of the NBA in a legitimate competitor.
And McConnell has just as impactful for the Pacers.
He has an average of 8.6 points, 5.3 assists and 1.1 interceptions during his six seasons with the franchise. The 32-year-old man finished seventh in sixth man of the year by voting in the 2023-24 season after an average of 10.2 points in career.
The 9.1 points he has on average this season have marked the second highest score of his career. McConnell is on average 8.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists while recording 16.6 minutes per match in the playoffs.
“It is a bit of one of those things where I felt like I went there and that I won what I got and I just lowered my head and go to work and let the fleas fall,” said McConnell about what he is most proud. “And in a way, I have no regrets.”
But you should ask yourself if the Sixers regret not to sign it again.
