Trash talking is definitely not the reason why T.J. Mcconnell drives opponents crazy. He’s actually a really nice guy and he only performed for the audience here since he was mic’d up.
So let me explain the real reason why the Pacers guard is possibly the most annoying player in the league. What up everybody my name is Stefan and this is Heat Check. Let’s get into it.
Listed at a generous 6’1’’, he’s one of the shorter players in the league, and when you watch him run, that’s also one of the slower guards in today’s NBA. And the athleticism just, isn’t there okay?
But still, with all that being said, T.J. leads the league in steals per game and this is why.
He is so smart, and hunts these opportunities on inbound passes.
What is usually the most relaxed portion of the possession, getting the ball in play, and taking it cross half court, Mcconnell stays aware and ready during that time, and turns it into a steal, and a bucket.
Against the Bucks just yesterday, Indiana scores, and you can see T.J. already has his mind made up to go for it. Jrue doesn’t expect him, and the pass is lazy as well, which turns into a steal, and the basket counts as it was goaltending. Easy 2 points.
Players always say how the most annoying guys to go against are those pesky defenders who run a lot and force turnovers. And I can only imagine it being even more infuriating when a smaller, slower, less athletic defender steals the ball right in front of their eyes.
And don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking T.J., what he lacks in physical abilities, he makes up for it more than enough with his effort and IQ. Like, when I play I’m always the smallest guy so I strive to be just like him.
And he’s been known for his effort and IQ from his days in Philly. Watch this: He sees the situation, little time left, Kyrie is ready waiting for the pass. So he sprints there, intercepts it, and banks it in for 2 easy and cheap points at the end of the quarter.
Let me share a crazy statistic.
Against the Cavs, Mcconnell had a triple double with steals. Dude had 10 steals, to go along with 13 assists and 16 points on 8 for 8 shooting. Talk about a great night.
But that 10 steal triple double is something that only 5 other players have done in NBA history.
And his game is more than just forcing turnovers.
With 6.5 assists per game not only is T.J. by far the number 1 player when it comes to passing the ball, but he’s actually ranked 17th at the moment in the entire league, in front of high profile point guards like Steph Curry, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Lonzo Ball, Mike Conley, the list goes on and on.
Check this out: A week ago against the Miami Heat he went 8 for 9 from the field which is great, but then also racked up 15 assists. All that in just 29 minutes as a reserve, off the bench.
Players know that he’ll always find them as he’s so unselfish, so Mcconnell is loved by his teammates here in Indiana just as much as he was in his time with the Sixers.
At the end let me just showcase a part of his game that’s kinda funny to me.
T.J. is shooting 55% from the field which is amazing, especially for a smaller guy like him, but the most interesting thing is, he’s not really a shooter like that.
The reason for his efficiency is that he is smart about picking and choosing his opportunities but this is what gets me every time. His signature play.
Mcconnell absolutely loves to weave his way all the way to the baseline on the right side and shoot a fadeaway from there.
Again, continuing with the theme of this video, I assume it’s pretty frustrating to watch a guy go to his spot, and shoot a fadeaway over a taller defender and watch the ball go in every single time.
Look I always say that I love high effort players, but T.J. Mcconnell is on a whole nother level. Plus he’s so unselfish, team oriented, and overall a great teammate. Extremely underrated.
And the fact that he’s able to do so much at that size, in a way makes us-the mere mortals who are watching the games at home live the NBA life through him.
I had a lot of fun making this video for a relatively unknown guy, so hopefully you enjoyed watching. That’s it for now, subscribe and talk to you in the next one. Peace out.
his like playing a john stockton classic pg. luv it
I don't think annoying is the correct word, this dude a potential 6th man of the year. Id say he's the most hustling.
ballers love to have guy like TJ on the team... hustle on the next level
About time TJ got some love, he’s having a monster season off the bench
TJ my favourite player in the league, he’s 6MOTY level this year
while I was watching this video, I almost died when I said T.J. A GOAT
Sixers Legend.
The idea of getting players mic'd up was awful, they all act unnaturally and obnoxiously, it's completely uninteresting because none of it feel real.
TJ is from my area. Dude defied all odds. Beast
Knicks should get him
This dude's voice is way more annoying and why does he nod his head so much when he talks it looks scripted and unnatural just like his commentary.
This guy plays like he's half Stockton
T. J is doing it all, unselfish PG very important
This man just exposing how lazy and comfortable all the star players are with their multi-million dollar contracts. I mean they already have the money in the bank, why bother going above and beyond?
Great video but I disliked just because the ending
Bro are you from Bosnia ?
He a baller
"6'1" he's one of the shorter players in the league" no need to make a substantial statement like that when there are plenty of guys who are shorter than him, him being 6'1" is not a noteworthy point to make
😂😂😂 You thought about that line longer than he did
Dude was on my wing sophomore year at Duquesne. We used to watch jersey shore in 2010 😂. You’re the man TJ!
I miss TJ in Philly :(
its a hyena
TJ is NOT slow. He is relentless and quick when he needs to be. I think the downside to this is breathing heavy from hustling so hard can fuck with your shot. That has gotten in his head a bit I think and why he looks for the pass after a steal rather than making the shot.
TJ is the man
You can’t be unathletic and be in the nba and lead the league in steals. What an idiotic intro. Work on your script bro
Remember God loves you so much that he sent his son to die for our sins so that we can have everlasting life please repent and trust in him 🙏
His offense seems like he studied nash a lot. I mean, a guard would be stupid not to.
He's like my annoying little brother 😅
Very nice video but the pink light in your face is just hugly. Your contents are good enough, don't worry, you don't need to make clowns lighting.
Underrated
He's quick.... Very quick. And agile. Great athlete.
Most underrated player in basketball
SIXTEEN ASSISTS????? Best ever???
You’re definitely wrong about him being a “slower” guard
High profile point guards and you mention Lonzo Ball hahahahha, commone brotheeeeer
I agree with most of this! I think he's pretty athletic though. He can dunk (barely) and he has a really good first step. Not elite as far as NBA guards, but far from the slowest.
His play style reminds me of Pablo Prigioni
Hearing about players who fans live their nba dreams through, like the repetitive examples Jokic and McConnell, doesn't make that much sense to me...I mean I get it just because they look like normal guys and are unathletic, but that's just about it, in most other aspects they both are miles ahead of most of us mortals (i know there are people out there that actually ball a lot, but still).
He's everything Patrick Beverley thinks he is
Commentary on his own video??? That is the same dude no!?? 🤭🤭🤭
Dude had 10 steals against the Cavs on March 3rd!
One of the slowest guards in the game? Bro. Watch the highlights from his triple double with steals game. Dude is up there
I think I'm the 500,000th subscriber.
You have a such a good channel, dude.
He is so good.
I love how “non athletic” means “white” when talking about ballers. You can’t run a slashing style game and be non athletic.
Bill Laimbeer is the most annoying. He will hurt you if he see's your a treat.
Why was he trash talking demar lmao that’s laughable
Fun fact: He also has the smallest hands in the nba.
My vote is for Faccundo Campazzo
HE should go to SAS or TOR. He's a signature player.
Great video! TJMC will for sure go down as a top 5 favorite pacer of mine of all time
Do He Deserve 1st all star?
I don’t think he’s annoying. Maybe by today’s standard he is!! 😂 He is definitely the most underrated PG in the league, and was Philadelphia’s worst mistake keeping Simmons insteadof him.
He is overrated for trash talking .like player he is zero
Hmmm Larry Bird not really that fast couldn't jump....hmmmm Allen Iverson...small There's a big list of guys like this...keep watching him.
I wouldn’t say he is slow he is in the nba. And he has change of pace and change of direction which is more important than pure speed. I’m suprised most by how he is small and doesn’t shoot the 3 but can still put up big numbers
Your hair is a bit annoying
They still love tj in philly
Great video homie 🔥
The triple double with steals is the unicorn of NBA stats. Nice to see someone who puts pressure on the ball early in the NBA these days. It’s sad that society sees a fast paced game as more entertaining than an all around competitive one.
Gotta Love Him
This is my brand of bball playing 2k
NBA? Yikes. Horrible league with a WOKE mentality.
man the most arogant guy is nba ius greyson alen
This was awesome
I would love to see this guy in Dallas. :)
i really thought he was going to diss on tj mcconnell but im glad he didnt
If he ain't paid already, you just got that boy a ✔️
That pass and fade aways are loke Steve Nash in the making!
It's stupid to say that an NBA player isn't athletic.
@Imma Nub I get what you're saying and don't mean to be annoyingly literal, it's just that the standards are established by the players that make up the league--which include those centers and forwards you refer to.
@Aaron Hackett not at all, centers, and sone forwards aren't athletic by NBA STANDARDS
@Imma Nub Are you being ironic?
actually alot of players in the nba are not very athletic by nba standards
Less athletic = white guy. Lol
We need Nico Marion to turn into this guy for my warriors
The most annoying youtuber ever plus his name is stefan nuff said
lmao stfu
NBA has reached a point where actually defending is considered annoying
After I watched this video T.J Mcconnell is one of my favorite players now
There's actually one thing that's more annoying than T.J, your voice!
If he is white you have to state he is unathletic
What does that have to do with being annoying
TJ who?
He isn't unknown to me! Like it was 3 or 4 yrs ago, against the Celtics, Ben Simmons had a hard time against Boston defense. It was McConnell who picked up the slack. Ben won't win you series but McConnell surely will be good backup or game clinching substitute on playoffs
He became a starter against Boston during a playoff game because Simmons can’t shoot.
We have a filipino virsion of him. In calvin abueva and chriss ross
Why does he remind me of Kuroko from Kuroko No Basket
Cool did not know this, he can play too reminds me of Caruso
The perfect backup guard for the heat to pickup
IMO, Enes Kanter is the most annoying player
Looking like steve nash
What a beast.
At least he doesn't bark like the one in clippers.
Those clips reminds me of John Stockton
Looked like more of a compliment video than a video complaining about his annoying behavior, but based on these facts he's certainly more smart than annoying. I believe Patrick Beverly, Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook are the most annoying players in the nba currently.
Ahahah the little worm ❤️
Love the energy and the heart of this guy. The fact that he's not more well-known is a travesty.
I know he didn't just diss my man Korkmaz
We missed him in Philly.
You look like Kyle beats
I miss tj in Philly😢
Find fact I knew him in high school and his dad would make him shoot 1000 ft before school every morning
I'm a pacers fan and he's been one of the lone bright spots for us this season
He is not athletic? What are you talking about?! He is very fast and pretty athletic. Of course his mind and decisions are the skills to talk about, but he is also athletic.