Think of all the second-round picks and undrafted free agents signed to Hinkie specials, all with the hopes of creating “violence at the rim” as Brett Brown used to say. Ten seasons later, and it’s the 6-foot-2 guard with no wingspan, no vertical, and no outside shot swinging NBA Finals games.
Even after all this time, T.J. McConnell is still underestimated. As the Indiana Pacers have gone on deeper and deeper playoff runs, there’s skepticism on if you can get away with having McConnell on the floor in high leverage situations against elite competition. In spite of the that underestimation, maybe even because of it, McConnell keeps on succeeding.