After a tough conversation about playing time, T.J. McConnell still always ready to contribute for Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers training camp was filled with competition. Players were battling for starting spots, roles, playing time, and even slots in the rotation. Every practice and preseason game was important, as was the direction of the franchise.
When the dust settled, the Pacers chose their starting five, and it was the expected group. But the bench was surprising. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Jalen Smith, and Buddy Hield comprised Indiana's second unit on opening night, and while they all earned opportunities, T.J. McConnell also played well during training camp and the preseason. But he was on the outside looking in when the regular season began.
"I had one of the most difficult conversations I've ever had to have with a player about the situation and the minutes, all that stuff with T.J.," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after Indiana's opening night win. "I was almost in tears talking to him about it."
Carlisle let McConnell know that in the first game, he wouldn't be in the playing rotation. The Pacers top-nine was set, and it didn't include the veteran guard. He's played well for the blue and gold during his tenure with the franchise, but on a young team with two talented young point guards in Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton, it's hard to find a role for McConnell.
That conversation Carlisle referenced was particularly hard since McConnell has been great at every turn. He is a key leader for the young Pacers and reportedly hoped to stay with the franchise in the offseason. He's a good player, too.
Carlisle shared that McConnell was disappointed, but that the veteran guard would be professional and ready to play when given chances. On opening night, McConnell proved that is the case — he had four points, two assists, and two steals while playing during the final six minutes of action. The outcome had already been decided when he hit the hardwood.
"Yeah, it was obviously a tough conversation as a competitor," McConnell said of his chat with Carlisle about minutes, which was done in person. It had to be, out of respect. "I'm just here to do my job. Whatever he thinks is best for the team, he's got to do. I just have to stay ready."
McConnell doesn't want to change who he is as a person despite having a smaller role. He is still the first guy up off the bench celebrating and high fiving his teammates during timeouts and after big plays. His energy is still important from the bench.
That energy is why it's hard to keep McConnell out of the game sometimes. During the Pacers second outing of the season in Cleveland, they were down 15 points after seven minutes of action. Caris LeVert looked unguardable. McConnell came in two minutes later to play defense and boost his team's energy level.
By the end of the frame, the blue and gold had trimmed the lead to six. When he exited the game after his first stint, Indiana was ahead by six. Even when his role is not promised or consistent, McConnell is still a tremendous vet. The Pacers know exactly what they are going to get from him whenever he is needed.
That night ended with a 12-point victory for Indiana, and McConnell finished with eight points and eight assists in just under 19 minutes. He was a +21 and had zero turnovers. The veteran guard was excellent.
"Just really just trying to do my job... just got to stay ready," McConnell said after the game. He reiterated that he was disappointed after his conversation with Carlisle, but he still had to be an asset for the Pacers.
That's exactly who T.J. McConnell is. He's the perfect teammate and a terrific competitor. He will work his tail off to earn playing time while still uplifting the group along the way. That's what every franchise hopes for in a veteran, and McConnell can still contribute when he's asked to.
Myles Turner, Indiana's starting center, remembers going through the pre-draft process with McConnell in 2015. Turner was a lottery pick, but nobody selected McConnell. He had to fight for a roster spot.
He did, and he earned one in Philadelphia, where he spent the first four seasons of his career. "He was somebody who had to fight and claw for his opportunity... nothing's guaranteed for him, and he knows that," Turner said of McConnell's mentality, noting that the point guard will always play hard and try to earn his chances.
McConnell agreed. "It's territory that I'm quite familiar with actually. Just another opportunity. Like I said, just got to stay ready," he said of battling for playing time.
He doesn't want his situation to impact the team in any negative way. During the Pacers third game of the season, McConnell didn't play in a loss against the Bulls. It was his first game without minutes this season.
As a talented veteran, though, opportunities will still pop up. Two days later, McConnell was the backup ball handler against the Boston Celtics — Haliburton was out with an injury.
The Pacers got crushed, but McConnell wasn't the reason why. He led the team in points (18), rebounds (seven), and assists (five, tied for the team high). Even in an ugly performance for his team, McConnell was a steady hand.
That's what the Pacers can expect from a professional. Even with no minutes or opportunity promised, he's going to be a contributor when called upon. Carlisle won't play a ten-man rotation just to do it, he will do it when it makes sense. And when it does, McConnell will be ready and helpful.
"This is one of the great competitors really in the history of this franchise," Carlisle said. Even with a smaller role this season, McConnell is proving that to be true.
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