The 33-year-old veteran has won countless fans in the finals. Why do everyone love "little hands" McConnell?

TJ-McConnell still clearly recalls the difficult years he had been with the 76ers, ten years later. In that team with a poor record and only 10 wins and 72 losses, McConnell relied on not protecting contracts and was worried about being laid off every moment. Therefore, he attaches great importance to the $108 meal supplement provided by the team and cherishes the opportunity to be full in every meal.

Now, in the finals, McConnell, who is already 33, has rejuvenated and has quickly become a topical figure in the minds of fans. In six playoff games, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Behind these numbers is his 1.85-meter-high but full of fighting spirit.

In the key battle of Tianwang Mountain, McConnell scored 13 points in a single quarter, helping the Pacers narrow the gap to only 2 points in the fourth quarter. In Game 6, he gave 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals, becoming the perfect adhesive for the team. Over the past period of time, the discussion about him has become more and more intense, so what exactly made him shine?

First, McConnell's physical fitness is in sharp contrast with his outstanding performance in the game. He is only 6 feet 2 and weighs about 190 pounds and is one of the shortest athletes on the basketball court. However, with his accurate mid-range shot and keen sense of game, he has profoundly influenced the direction of the game. Objectively speaking, his performance in the playoffs is amazing, even better than Halliburton.

Although some short players can make their mark in the regular season, they may not have the same performance when entering the playoffs. They usually have general athletic ability and rely on the team system. However, McConnell shines in the peak NBA events and is a turning point in the game. It is worth mentioning that he scored 9 rebounds in a single game in a certain game, which is of great significance. After all, in the past 10 years, he has only been able to reach double-digit rebounds three times.

McConnell is like David challenging Goliath. Although the Thunder defenders are generally taller than him and with powerful players like Dort, no one can effectively limit his performance. Trying to keep him alone seemed unnecessary, so McConnell launched a merciless attack.

Of course, McConnell also has certain weaknesses. He is relatively weak in defense and is easily affected by physical confrontation. However, he was still able to interfere with and complete steals through hard work, which was enough to affect the progress of the game, so being on the court with Halliburton has become an important tactical arrangement for coach Carlisle.

In the upcoming finals tiebreak battle, Carlisle is expected to shrink its rotation lineup to 8 players. With Halliburton suffering from injuries, McConnell's performance has undoubtedly become more critical. The stage of this tiebreak battle will be even more severe, which is the ultimate test of McConnell's career.