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.
People are also reading…
"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."