The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, sitting in third place and at 21-12 entering play on Thursday. But it hasn't always been so good in Philadelphia. Last season, the Sixers made the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12.
“The Process” was long for the Sixers, and guard T.J. McConnell remembers the exact moment where he felt the rebuild hitting rock bottom. McConnell shared his thoughts on Thursday via the Players' Tribune.
I remember this one play so vividly. They’d just gone up over 40…. and I was out there stewing. I’m thinking, like — Alright. 40?? No. F*ck that. Let’s have some pride. And the winner in me kicks in, you know? That guy who’s won all his life, and grinded his way to the league, and isn’t just going to take a loss like that sitting down. So, yeah, I get the ball and I’m thinking — This is it. Here’s your turning point, Sixers fans. I’m going to take this one myself.
I bring it up past half-court, make a little move to get some space…… and I let it fly.
Airball.
Oh, man. It was just, like, NOPE. The whole arena started booing — our own fans. And it’s funny but I remember not even being fazed. I’m pretty sure I even gave the crowd one of those nods, you know? Just sort of saying, Yep. No….. that’s about right. Keep those boos coming. We really are pathetic.
We really were pathetic.
McConnel went undrafted in 2015 after his senior season at Arizona, where he averaged 10.4 points and 6.3 assists per game. The Sixers signed him to a multi-year deal that summer,and McConnell had to endure a 10-72 season as a rookie. They improved their record to 28-54 the following year, and then 52-30 in 2017-18. In 265 career games with Philadelphia, McConnell has averaged 22.5 minutes with 6.4 points and 4.9 assists per game.
So far in 2018-19, McConnell has primarily played the role of the backup point guard. He has appeared in 27 games for the Sixers, all off the bench, with averages of 6.0 points and 3.0 assists per game.
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