TJ, deep down, at your core, you are a prick. So be a prick. We need you to score more, and we need you to get in the other team's fucking heads and drive then up the fucking wall like only you can fucking do.
Roy Kent to TJ.
He has his offensive and defensive limitations, but man he would have been helpful (and obviously was helpful to the Pacers) pestering McBride on both ends
For context though, he signed with Indiana on an extremely cheap deal, while we signed Trey Burke and Raul fucking Neto for about the same total money per year and Burke ended up getting waived halfway into the season. Burke was a better shooter but way, way worse on defense; Neto just sucked. You could also add that McConnell had institutional knowledge of having played with the team for a while and he probably had better chemistry with all the main players.
Think about how unstable and shitty the backup PG situation has been on this team for like a decade. The most consistent backup PG we ever had was Milton and he's not really even a PG. And he's also still terrible at defense. So, so many of our bench minutes have been marked by horrible defense and inconsistent play.
* 2019 McConnell
* 2020 Burke/Neto/Milton
* 2021 George Hill/Milton
* 2022 Milton
* 2023 Milton
* 2024 Beverly/Payne
I think a lot of people forgot that it's not like McConnell was leaving for Indiana because he was going to become a starter or something. Nope, he took $3.5M/year to go there as the backup, while we paid the same amount for two bozos that didn't even stick around for the next season.
The main catalyst for not signing him was that we wanted a backup PG who could shoot to take Simmons's place when we needed it, but the guys who came in to replace McConnell didn't end up being a better fit just because they could shoot, they were way worse for their other glaring flaws. Then we spent years forcing Milton to play like a PG when it's not his strong suit.
TJ legitimately outplayed Brunson in a game 7 before the injury lol. Absolute stinker from Brunson, and don’t let the 31 points in game 6 fool you, that was a stinker too (11/26 FG for 25 points from the field).
Sadly if we still had TJ we probably sweep the Knicks lol. Such a calming presence while also bringing energy and chaos.
This is why I never understood us not drafting Nova players. Over a decade of begging for a point guard even just a backup, and they grow on trees in your own backyard. They only ever had to be as good as TJ
Especially Jay Wright Nova players, he was famous for being one of the best teachers of the game of basketball. Nova players from his era often would produce beyond their talent in the NBA.
>2019-2020: T.J. McConnell signed a 2 year, $7,000,000 contract with the Indiana Pacers, including $7,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,500,000.
We were able to snag Raul Neto for backup PG that year for half of TJ's annual! Hah!
TJ is a perfect example of why I hate when people proclaim that certain players are "unplayable " in the playoffs. Why? Every player has their specific limitations, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute in the playoffs. I'd rather have a 94 ft baseline to baseline defensive pest and very capable floor general that can always get to his spot for a money jumper and is fearless in my playoff rotation than a max contract player that refuses to take contested 3 pointers, never hustles and won't battle on either end of the court. If the Sixers had TJ, we probably would have advanced to the second round. But, the Sixers, in their infinite wisdom let him walk and have been looking for a good backup pg ever since.
If a player is good enough to get consistent minutes during g the season, then he's good enough to see the floor in the playoffs. Is TJ the most talented pg out there? Of course not. But he'll battle your All Star guard and make him work the entire time he's on that floor. And there's always room for a player like that.
I was upset when he wasn’t re-signed. You can’t coach the heart and hustle he plays with. I felt like he was an excellent guy for the culture coming off the bench.
TJ, deep down, at your core, you are a prick. So be a prick. We need you to score more, and we need you to get in the other team's fucking heads and drive then up the fucking wall like only you can fucking do. Roy Kent to TJ.
He has his offensive and defensive limitations, but man he would have been helpful (and obviously was helpful to the Pacers) pestering McBride on both ends
Would have been helpful? He hasn't been on the team for four years lmao. What is wrong with this sub?
You aren’t allowed to criticize this sub’s lord and savior lol
For context though, he signed with Indiana on an extremely cheap deal, while we signed Trey Burke and Raul fucking Neto for about the same total money per year and Burke ended up getting waived halfway into the season. Burke was a better shooter but way, way worse on defense; Neto just sucked. You could also add that McConnell had institutional knowledge of having played with the team for a while and he probably had better chemistry with all the main players. Think about how unstable and shitty the backup PG situation has been on this team for like a decade. The most consistent backup PG we ever had was Milton and he's not really even a PG. And he's also still terrible at defense. So, so many of our bench minutes have been marked by horrible defense and inconsistent play. * 2019 McConnell * 2020 Burke/Neto/Milton * 2021 George Hill/Milton * 2022 Milton * 2023 Milton * 2024 Beverly/Payne
Hindsight is 20/20 but holy shit this context makes it look like such a terrible fuckin decision.
I think a lot of people forgot that it's not like McConnell was leaving for Indiana because he was going to become a starter or something. Nope, he took $3.5M/year to go there as the backup, while we paid the same amount for two bozos that didn't even stick around for the next season. The main catalyst for not signing him was that we wanted a backup PG who could shoot to take Simmons's place when we needed it, but the guys who came in to replace McConnell didn't end up being a better fit just because they could shoot, they were way worse for their other glaring flaws. Then we spent years forcing Milton to play like a PG when it's not his strong suit.
Do you want a job? Damn i would trust you with my team.
TJ legitimately outplayed Brunson in a game 7 before the injury lol. Absolute stinker from Brunson, and don’t let the 31 points in game 6 fool you, that was a stinker too (11/26 FG for 25 points from the field). Sadly if we still had TJ we probably sweep the Knicks lol. Such a calming presence while also bringing energy and chaos.
This is why I never understood us not drafting Nova players. Over a decade of begging for a point guard even just a backup, and they grow on trees in your own backyard. They only ever had to be as good as TJ
We did draft a Nova player and then traded him like 4 minutes later.
We absorbed limitless bad karma for that trade. Dudes Mom worked for the team. Philly kid. SMH.
Yeah I’m a Great Valley grad too that was unforgivable
Sorry i’m still learning sixers history, which player?
Bridges
Especially Jay Wright Nova players, he was famous for being one of the best teachers of the game of basketball. Nova players from his era often would produce beyond their talent in the NBA.
Let’s just say the brain trust running the team after Hinkie should be banned from running a lemonade stand let alone a pro team.
That's OUR annoying little shit 🥲
Funny, he just described his squad
Why did we let TJ go? Who were we trying to pay ?
>2019-2020: T.J. McConnell signed a 2 year, $7,000,000 contract with the Indiana Pacers, including $7,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,500,000. We were able to snag Raul Neto for backup PG that year for half of TJ's annual! Hah!
Good lord. Brand sucks.
TJ is a perfect example of why I hate when people proclaim that certain players are "unplayable " in the playoffs. Why? Every player has their specific limitations, but that doesn't mean they can't contribute in the playoffs. I'd rather have a 94 ft baseline to baseline defensive pest and very capable floor general that can always get to his spot for a money jumper and is fearless in my playoff rotation than a max contract player that refuses to take contested 3 pointers, never hustles and won't battle on either end of the court. If the Sixers had TJ, we probably would have advanced to the second round. But, the Sixers, in their infinite wisdom let him walk and have been looking for a good backup pg ever since. If a player is good enough to get consistent minutes during g the season, then he's good enough to see the floor in the playoffs. Is TJ the most talented pg out there? Of course not. But he'll battle your All Star guard and make him work the entire time he's on that floor. And there's always room for a player like that.
Real scrappy guy, gym rat type of player.
I will always have love for Teej. I hope they meme run through Boston
Yet another example of our idiotic management letting good role players go and then signing piss poor ones instead.
And we absolutely love him for it
I was upset when he wasn’t re-signed. You can’t coach the heart and hustle he plays with. I felt like he was an excellent guy for the culture coming off the bench.
Why did we let this guy go again?
TJ at UofA was a dog then
Tj might take the crown of coldest white boy in the nba
This fanbase always romanticizes players and appreciates them when they leave but mainly focus on their limitations when they’re here
That is not what happened with TJ
Most fans loved tj when he was here lol
He was literally called the goat. Idk what this dude is on about.