11 reasons why T.J. McConnell had the best NBA season ever
- Updated
The Star breaks down T.J. McConnell's 11 best accomplishments from his breakout season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Former Arizona Wildcats star T.J. McConnell averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 26.3 minutes per game in his second NBA season.
If you look just at the numbers, nothing really seems to jump off the page — but sports is so much more than just the numbers.
It's about the intangibles, too. The things that don't show up on the stat sheet.
Let's take a look back at McConnell's 11 greatest accomplishments from his breakout season:
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
McConnell's first major feat of the season came on Dec. 11. He nearly posted a triple-double, which would have been the first of his young career.
McConnell had the points. He had the rebounds. But he was just one assist shy of notching the triple-double — and passing is his speciality.
McConnell finished that game with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, a career-high 10 rebounds and nine assists. He also had three steals and played 37 minutes. (See highlights from that game and McConnell's postgame interview below).
The best part about it? McConnell's almost triple-double came against former teammate Stanley Johnson's Pistons. The 76ers won in a landslide, 97-79.
Asked if he saw McConnell's almost triple-double coming, former coach Sean Miller said "not necessarily. That's a heck of a feat." McConnell never even notched double-digit rebounds during his time at Arizona — his career high at UA was nine boards.
"But I did think T.J. would be an NBA guard. I really believed that," Miller said. "Looking back at him, the success he had and the impact he had on the two teams (he) had here, it makes sense.
"He’s someone we’re all really proud of and hopeful he’ll continue to stay healthy because he’s well on his way to playing in the NBA for a long time."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
McConnell's second major feat of the season came on Jan. 11, when he hit a game-winning buzzer-beater over Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks. (See the highlight and McConnell's postgame interview below).
McConnell finished with eight points, six rebounds and seven assists.
After the game, McConnell told ESPN's "SportsCenter" that it was his "first buzzer-beater ever playing basketball, so it felt pretty good."
Naturally, in typical McConnell fashion, he didn't get too hyped and stayed humble when talking about it. Classic.
After McConnell's buzzer-beater, his teammate Joel Embiid grabbed him by the neck out of pure excitement. T.J.'s recap of that moment is hilarious — see it below.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
In January, a report surfaced that the Cleveland Cavaliers sought a trade for McConnell.
As the story goes, Cavs star LeBron James wanted another playmaker, a distributor — he wanted McConnell.
While that didn't happen, it's still pretty astonishing to think that McConnell — the undrafted, undersized point guard from Arizona — would turn the heads of some of the league's biggest stars.
Who knew?
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
McConnell hit his second game-winning shot less than a month after his first one.
His second came in a 112-111 win over former teammate Aaron Gordon's Orlando Magic. McConnell finished with eight points, five rebounds, eight assists and the game-winner. (See highlights below).
McConnell's jumper was indeed the game-winning shot, but it wasn't a buzzer-beater. The Magic actually got the ball back after T.J.'s bucket, and there was still time to score.
One man stood in Orlando's way — McConnell. He grabbed a steal with 2 seconds left to seal the win.
McConnell didn't rave about his own personal accomplishments after the game, either. "It's just a good win," he said. (See his postgame interview below).
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
After putting the Magic away with his second game-winner in less than a month, teammate Joel Embiid tweeted out a heartfelt message for McConnell.
Is Tj Mcconnell is the clutchest player in the history of the NBA? I guess so #TrustTheProcess pic.twitter.com/JD6IoQ2J5v
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 10, 2017
As you can see, Embiid posted a photo of T.J. next to a photo of one of the game's all-time greatest players, Michael Jordan.
After his buzzer-beater over the Knicks in January, McConnell jumped up and gave an emphatic fist pump — similar to Jordan's famous fist pump.
So, not only is McConnell "the clutchest player in the history of the NBA," he's also apparently the second-coming of MJ. Epic.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Following Philadelphia's win over the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 13, McConnell was fired up — and for good reason.
Before the game, Hornets guard Nicolas Batum guaranteed his team would beat McConnell's Sixers.
Batum's comments only fueled Philadelphia's fire, and the Sixers upset the Hornets 105-99 — in Charlotte, nonetheless.
McConnell called out Batum for his comments, saying "you're not gonna overlook us — we're not a guaranteed victory for the other team. … If you guarantee stuff you better back it up.
"We're a damn good team; we just gotta keep fighting." (See the video below).
McConnell finished with 14 points, four rebounds and a team-high seven assists, while Batum finished with 16 points, one rebound and four assists.
Needless to say, T.J. was the winner of that battle.
Before the game, Nicolas Batum guaranteed the Hornets would win. @TJMcConnell had something to say after the Sixers victory pic.twitter.com/q5I9GqSPZF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 14, 2017
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
LeBron James isn't the only superstar who has noticed McConnell's grit, playmaking ability and determination to win.
Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash joined The Bill Simmons Podcast last month for a conversation about modern point guards, among other things.
The modern mold for point guards isn't what it used to be during his playing days, Nash says. Now it's all about the high-profile point guards — the prolific scorers, the playmakers. The Russell Westbrooks, Kyrie Irvings and Damian Lillards, to name a few.
But Nash says "there's still room for pure point guards, for sure. A little example is — Lonzo (Ball) is great — but the point guard in Philly. The kid from Arizona. T.J.
"I mean he's a pure point guard," Nash, the former Suns star, said of McConnell. "He makes your team better. I like watching Philly a little bit.
"He's kind of overmatched in a lot of ways, but he's smart, he's tough and he can make plays, and he's a pure point guard. And there's still tons of value for that, I think."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
On April 6, McConnell posted nine points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a 102-90 loss to the Bulls.
Why is that special? It marked his 500th assist and 125th steal of the season, making him the first Sixer to do so since former NBA MVP Allen Iverson accomplished the feat in the 2005-06 season.
To think that McConnell is mentioned in the same breath as arguably the greatest 76ers player of all time is nothing short of remarkable.
.@TJMcConnell is the 1st #Sixers player with 500 assists & 125 steals in a season since @alleniverson in the 2005-06 season. #BearDown #NBA pic.twitter.com/sbacixeZBK
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) April 7, 2017
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The 76ers' last game of the season was a 114-113 loss to the Knicks on April 12. McConnell finished that game with eight assists, bringing his season average to 6.6 assists per game.
That stat stands out because T.J. was tied for 12th-most assists per game in the NBA, the same number as two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry.
The 11 names in front of McConnell are eye-opening:
1. James Harden
2. John Wall
3. Russell Westbrook
4. Chris Paul
5. Ricky Rubio
6. LeBron James
7. Jeff Teague
8. Jrue Holiday
T9. Draymond Green
T9. Kyle Lowry
Then there's T.J., tied for 12th. Well done.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
McConnell didn't just finish in the top-tier of the NBA's assists leaders. He also finished toward the top of the steals leaders, ranking No. 10 in the NBA.
McConnell averaged 1.7 steals per game this year. He was one of just six players who finished in the NBA's top 12 in both assists and steals — and it's one heck of a list: Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, John Wall, Draymond Green and Ricky Rubio.
The names ahead of McConnell on the steals list are also some of the league's best:
1. Draymond Green
2. John Wall
3. Chris Paul
4. Robert Covington
5. Jimmy Butler
6. Trevor Ariza
T7. Steph Curry
T7. Kawhi Leonard
9. Ricky Rubio
10. T.J. McConnell
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
McConnell finished the season with a 3.36-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, the fifth-best mark in the NBA. Here are the guys in front of McConnell:
1. Andre Iguodala
2. Chris Paul
3. Ish Smith
4. Ricky Rubio
5. T.J. McConnell
The players who rank in the NBA's top 12 of assists, steals and assist-to-turnover ratio is even shorter: McConnell, Chris Paul and Ricky Rubio.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Former Arizona Wildcats star T.J. McConnell averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.7 steals in 26.3 minutes per game in his second NBA season.
If you look just at the numbers, nothing really seems to jump off the page — but sports is so much more than just the numbers.
It's about the intangibles, too. The things that don't show up on the stat sheet.
Let's take a look back at McConnell's 11 greatest accomplishments from his breakout season:
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
McConnell's first major feat of the season came on Dec. 11. He nearly posted a triple-double, which would have been the first of his young career.
McConnell had the points. He had the rebounds. But he was just one assist shy of notching the triple-double — and passing is his speciality.
McConnell finished that game with 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting, a career-high 10 rebounds and nine assists. He also had three steals and played 37 minutes. (See highlights from that game and McConnell's postgame interview below).
The best part about it? McConnell's almost triple-double came against former teammate Stanley Johnson's Pistons. The 76ers won in a landslide, 97-79.
Asked if he saw McConnell's almost triple-double coming, former coach Sean Miller said "not necessarily. That's a heck of a feat." McConnell never even notched double-digit rebounds during his time at Arizona — his career high at UA was nine boards.
"But I did think T.J. would be an NBA guard. I really believed that," Miller said. "Looking back at him, the success he had and the impact he had on the two teams (he) had here, it makes sense.
"He’s someone we’re all really proud of and hopeful he’ll continue to stay healthy because he’s well on his way to playing in the NBA for a long time."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
McConnell's second major feat of the season came on Jan. 11, when he hit a game-winning buzzer-beater over Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks. (See the highlight and McConnell's postgame interview below).
McConnell finished with eight points, six rebounds and seven assists.
After the game, McConnell told ESPN's "SportsCenter" that it was his "first buzzer-beater ever playing basketball, so it felt pretty good."
Naturally, in typical McConnell fashion, he didn't get too hyped and stayed humble when talking about it. Classic.
After McConnell's buzzer-beater, his teammate Joel Embiid grabbed him by the neck out of pure excitement. T.J.'s recap of that moment is hilarious — see it below.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
In January, a report surfaced that the Cleveland Cavaliers sought a trade for McConnell.
As the story goes, Cavs star LeBron James wanted another playmaker, a distributor — he wanted McConnell.
While that didn't happen, it's still pretty astonishing to think that McConnell — the undrafted, undersized point guard from Arizona — would turn the heads of some of the league's biggest stars.
Who knew?
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
McConnell hit his second game-winning shot less than a month after his first one.
His second came in a 112-111 win over former teammate Aaron Gordon's Orlando Magic. McConnell finished with eight points, five rebounds, eight assists and the game-winner. (See highlights below).
McConnell's jumper was indeed the game-winning shot, but it wasn't a buzzer-beater. The Magic actually got the ball back after T.J.'s bucket, and there was still time to score.
One man stood in Orlando's way — McConnell. He grabbed a steal with 2 seconds left to seal the win.
McConnell didn't rave about his own personal accomplishments after the game, either. "It's just a good win," he said. (See his postgame interview below).
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
After putting the Magic away with his second game-winner in less than a month, teammate Joel Embiid tweeted out a heartfelt message for McConnell.
Is Tj Mcconnell is the clutchest player in the history of the NBA? I guess so #TrustTheProcess pic.twitter.com/JD6IoQ2J5v
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) February 10, 2017
As you can see, Embiid posted a photo of T.J. next to a photo of one of the game's all-time greatest players, Michael Jordan.
After his buzzer-beater over the Knicks in January, McConnell jumped up and gave an emphatic fist pump — similar to Jordan's famous fist pump.
So, not only is McConnell "the clutchest player in the history of the NBA," he's also apparently the second-coming of MJ. Epic.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Following Philadelphia's win over the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 13, McConnell was fired up — and for good reason.
Before the game, Hornets guard Nicolas Batum guaranteed his team would beat McConnell's Sixers.
Batum's comments only fueled Philadelphia's fire, and the Sixers upset the Hornets 105-99 — in Charlotte, nonetheless.
McConnell called out Batum for his comments, saying "you're not gonna overlook us — we're not a guaranteed victory for the other team. … If you guarantee stuff you better back it up.
"We're a damn good team; we just gotta keep fighting." (See the video below).
McConnell finished with 14 points, four rebounds and a team-high seven assists, while Batum finished with 16 points, one rebound and four assists.
Needless to say, T.J. was the winner of that battle.
Before the game, Nicolas Batum guaranteed the Hornets would win. @TJMcConnell had something to say after the Sixers victory pic.twitter.com/q5I9GqSPZF
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 14, 2017
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
LeBron James isn't the only superstar who has noticed McConnell's grit, playmaking ability and determination to win.
Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash joined The Bill Simmons Podcast last month for a conversation about modern point guards, among other things.
The modern mold for point guards isn't what it used to be during his playing days, Nash says. Now it's all about the high-profile point guards — the prolific scorers, the playmakers. The Russell Westbrooks, Kyrie Irvings and Damian Lillards, to name a few.
But Nash says "there's still room for pure point guards, for sure. A little example is — Lonzo (Ball) is great — but the point guard in Philly. The kid from Arizona. T.J.
"I mean he's a pure point guard," Nash, the former Suns star, said of McConnell. "He makes your team better. I like watching Philly a little bit.
"He's kind of overmatched in a lot of ways, but he's smart, he's tough and he can make plays, and he's a pure point guard. And there's still tons of value for that, I think."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
On April 6, McConnell posted nine points, six rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a 102-90 loss to the Bulls.
Why is that special? It marked his 500th assist and 125th steal of the season, making him the first Sixer to do so since former NBA MVP Allen Iverson accomplished the feat in the 2005-06 season.
To think that McConnell is mentioned in the same breath as arguably the greatest 76ers player of all time is nothing short of remarkable.
.@TJMcConnell is the 1st #Sixers player with 500 assists & 125 steals in a season since @alleniverson in the 2005-06 season. #BearDown #NBA pic.twitter.com/sbacixeZBK
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) April 7, 2017
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
The 76ers' last game of the season was a 114-113 loss to the Knicks on April 12. McConnell finished that game with eight assists, bringing his season average to 6.6 assists per game.
That stat stands out because T.J. was tied for 12th-most assists per game in the NBA, the same number as two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry.
The 11 names in front of McConnell are eye-opening:
1. James Harden
2. John Wall
3. Russell Westbrook
4. Chris Paul
5. Ricky Rubio
6. LeBron James
7. Jeff Teague
8. Jrue Holiday
T9. Draymond Green
T9. Kyle Lowry
Then there's T.J., tied for 12th. Well done.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
McConnell didn't just finish in the top-tier of the NBA's assists leaders. He also finished toward the top of the steals leaders, ranking No. 10 in the NBA.
McConnell averaged 1.7 steals per game this year. He was one of just six players who finished in the NBA's top 12 in both assists and steals — and it's one heck of a list: Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Chris Paul, John Wall, Draymond Green and Ricky Rubio.
The names ahead of McConnell on the steals list are also some of the league's best:
1. Draymond Green
2. John Wall
3. Chris Paul
4. Robert Covington
5. Jimmy Butler
6. Trevor Ariza
T7. Steph Curry
T7. Kawhi Leonard
9. Ricky Rubio
10. T.J. McConnell
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
McConnell finished the season with a 3.36-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, the fifth-best mark in the NBA. Here are the guys in front of McConnell:
1. Andre Iguodala
2. Chris Paul
3. Ish Smith
4. Ricky Rubio
5. T.J. McConnell
The players who rank in the NBA's top 12 of assists, steals and assist-to-turnover ratio is even shorter: McConnell, Chris Paul and Ricky Rubio.
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