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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
INDIANAPOLIS \u2014 Look around the diamond as T.J. McConnell walks onto the mound at Victory Field to throw out the first pitch<\/a> at an Indianapolis Indians game, and all you see is Pacers. The crowd is filled with fans wearing gear with McConnell printed on it. Nearby, several of McConnell\u2019s Pacer teammates and staffers stand as they await his upcoming ceremonial toss.<\/p>\n The veteran point guard wasn\u2019t expecting that many members of the organization to show up. \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t,\u201d he said. Teammates Quenton Jackson, Jarace Walker, Taelon Petern, and Kam Jones made an appearance. \u201cBut like I said, they\u2019ll be sure to let me know if it\u2019s not up to their liking, the way the pitch goes.\u201d<\/p>\n While it was an August event, it revealed once again that McConnell has an undeniable connection with each of his teammates. He has been among the most consistent players on the Pacers roster and makes a bench group work on a team that prides itself on depth. His value to a contender is obvious, and he\u2019s continued to fight off signs of aging with heightened IQ and unique shot attempts. As the Pacers transition into, then out of, a strange season without star guard Tyrese Haliburton, McConnell\u2019s next few years are of increasing importance.<\/p>\n Can he continue to be one of the few lead ball handlers in the NBA without a consistent jump shot that is almost always a positive on the floor? Will his funky game fight off any indications of slowing down? As he moves up the point guard depth chart in his mid 30s, the answers to those questions will be important to the Pacers \u2014 he projects to backup Andrew Nembhard this season.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s one of the most underrated players in the league,\u201d former Pacer Malcolm Brogdon said of McConnell when they were teammates<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re lucky to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n Watching the Pacers exist or being around them for more than 30 seconds will make it clear that McConnell is a terrific teammate. He is adored, and for good reason. He\u2019s all about winning and takes accountability for his poor play \u2014 never deflecting blame. He gets his teammates involved and fights on defense. Playing with him is comfortable after just a few reps.<\/p>\n Being Haliburton\u2019s backup is challenging. Keeping the Pacers identity alive without the star guard on the floor is not a role many reserves in the NBA can fill. McConnell can. His probing ways are unique, and his general hustle and hard play keep the team\u2019s tempo present. He gets in the paint enough, and what he lacks in skill compared to Haliburton he attempts to make up for with natural chemistry with a talented bench unit.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like right away when I came here,\u201d Pacers forward Obi Toppin said of how quickly he developed chemistry with McConnell. \u201cHim being who he is, he knows he draws so much attention. Every time he gets to that basket, if there\u2019s a wide open lane to cut or something, he\u2019s gonna always find [me]. It\u2019s not only for me, though, it\u2019s for everybody. He\u2019s always gonna find an open guy. Like I said, he knows how much attention he draws, and he\u2019s not a selfish player.\u201d<\/p>\n Why is T.J. McConnell important for the Pacers?<\/p>\n