How do the Philadelphia 76ers and general manager Sam Hinkie find these guys? It’s going to be a question of the ages until he’s not the Sixers’ GM.
Hinkie somehow found an NBA regular in Robert Covington two years ago — even if Covington’s 2016 has been abbreviated thus far due do his knee issues. Covington will reportedly miss another two weeks after a setback in recovery happened. Injury aside, Covington came up “seven” when Hinkie rolled the dice on him. He may have rolled another “seven” with former Arizona PG T.J. McConnell. If he didn’t get a seven, he may just get the point.
After tallying six points, seven rebounds, and 12 assists in 23 minutes of work last Friday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, McConnell was given the opportunity to start last night at point guard for the Sixers against the Milwaukee Bucks and turned in a stat line of seven points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists. It’s the first time since Michael Carter-Williams back in January where one Sixer had double-digit assists in back-to-back games.
In 57 minutes this season, McConnell has 24 assists and one turnover. Last night, the best lineup from a plus/minus standpoint was McConnell, Nik Stauskas, Jerami Grant, Nerlens Noel, and Jahlil Okafor. That lineup played for just about 12 minutes and had a plus/minus of +18. With Covington out for the Sixers for the next two weeks, this may be the starting lineup that head coach Brett Brown may want to go with. At the very least, this is the lineup that should get the most minutes.
McConnell is the key, though. The Sixers looked much more organized and efficient with McConnell at the point versus Isaiah Canaan — who struggled in his first minutes off the bench last night. McConnell even sported a little shooting stroke in the linked highlight gif, but let’s keep those shots for when you’re wide open, T.J. He was also very good in transition as the Sixers continue to want to play with pace like this play where McConnell feeds Jerami Grant with a perfect bounce pass.
Twitter reaction to the Pittsburgh, Pa. native ranged from the hilarious:
T.J. McConnell out here dropping dimes in Milwaukee. #SixersTalk pic.twitter.com/IleVvrPUqj
— Sixers Talk (@CSNSixers) November 5, 2015
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To the down right “Hey, wait a minute, let’s calm down a tad!”:
Again… Somebody took time out of their day last night to make this pic. ✌️@PHL_Influencer lol pic.twitter.com/Y2xLKkem3c
— Philly Influencer (@Sean_Brace) November 5, 2015
The “Baby Nash” talk needs to slow down a little bit. McConnell was definitely a bright spot last night, but let’s give the kid 10 to 12 starts and reassess.
For now, McConnell seems to be another one of these guys that Sam Hinkie just knows how to find for whatever reason.
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