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TJM makes NBA

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Sean Miller Fan

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I wonder if there are still posters out there that still believe he's not Big East material. I admit I've been wrong on some stuff but man was I right about TJ.........well after I saw him play in Summer League after his HS senior year. I wouldnt have offered him as a HS soph either.

Who was the last WPIAL player to play in the NBA besides Danny Fortson and I dont really count him because he was from Altoona.
 
The kid can play. His WPIAL lineage has clouded the judgement of some who purport to know basketball. I live in DC and attend WCAC games weekly. McConnell would have starred here and had he attended DeMatha would have been pursued by nearly every ACC school minus Duke and maybe NC.
 
Technically he didn't make an NBA team, he made the 76ers! :D

Seriously though, congratulations to TJ. Even making a bad NBA team is a great thing.
 
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Dejuan Blair would be the last wpial. DJ Kennedy might also count. He may have made a 10 day deal once or twice.


Sean Miller Fan said:
I wonder if there are still posters out there that still believe he's not Big East material. I admit I've been wrong on some stuff but man was I right about TJ.........well after I saw him play in Summer League after his HS senior year. I wouldnt have offered him as a HS soph either.

Who was the last WPIAL player to play in the NBA besides Danny Fortson and I dont really count him because he was from Altoona.
Click to expand...
 
recruitsreadtheseboards said:
I cannot believe TJ McConnell made the NBA. My buddy Ken Pom said James Robinson is just as good of a guard.
Click to expand...
Wrong. James Robinson is better. I read it on this board a thousand times, so It must be true.

McConnell was a victim of stereotyping by folks on this board. He's local, so he can't be good. He's a white kid, so he must be unathletic (he's much more athletic than James Robinson). He's too small, etc. etc. etc. I don't knock Jamie for not offering him early, that was a shrewd move on Ron Everhart's part, but the lack of respect he got on this board is a joke. People think because a kid goes to Duquesne, or Robert Morris, he isn't good enough for Pitt. Nonsense. Good players slip though the cracks all the time. That's why you never heard of Scottie Pippen until he got to the NBA. Mike James of Duquesne just spent a dozen years in the NBA, and arguably, along with Charles Smith, had the best NBA career of any player who played college ball in Pittsburgh, save Billy Knight, and Norm Nixon. Think about that.
Little piece of trivia: Knight, and Nixon both had career scoring averages of 15.7 for their NBA careers.
 
TJ McConnell talent's alone did not place him in the NBA. It was by him transferring and playing at Arizona that was a big factor. You don't think he thought about that when transferring ? Good move by him. Had he stayed at Duquesne he would not have been given a chance. Talent or not. Just like certain state and high schools get (better) college looks the same applies for colleges and the NBA (and all pro sports). Do you think the Pitt's spiral didn't effect Patterson, one of the best forwards in the ACC ? Narduzzi and even stated earlier that fro Pitt football players to go to the NFL they have to win. Why do you think most players like Maia, Nelson-Ododa come to Pitt ?
 
recruitsreadtheseboards said:
I cannot believe TJ McConnell made the NBA. My buddy Ken Pom said James Robinson is just as good of a guard.
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I would say it's fair to say that TJ greatly improved season to season.

At the time those statements were made, Robinson was more productive while playing at a higher level program. James hasn't progressed as far as TJM did.

Fair enough??
If you said TJM was a NBA talent his frosh and sophmore seasons...you're lying.
 
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SoufOaklin4Life said:
I would say it's fair to say that TJ greatly improved season to season.

At the time those statements were made, Robinson was more productive while playing at a higher level program. James hasn't progressed as far as TJM did.

Fair enough??
If you said TJM was a NBA talent his frosh and sophmore seasons...you're lying.
Click to expand...

Thank you. At the time, based on James' first two seasons, he compared extremely favorably to TJ. The difference is TJ had a great senior year and James had a very mediocre junior year. There's no need to mischaracterize previous arguments.

TJ's in a very fortunate situation. Philadelphia is a terrible team with no depth. Good luck to him to make the most of his opportunity. I won't be picking him up on my fantasy team though.
 
ameoba defense said:
Wrong. James Robinson is better. I read it on this board a thousand times, so It must be true.

McConnell was a victim of stereotyping by folks on this board. He's local, so he can't be good. He's a white kid, so he must be unathletic (he's much more athletic than James Robinson). He's too small, etc. etc. etc. I don't knock Jamie for not offering him early, that was a shrewd move on Ron Everhart's part, but the lack of respect he got on this board is a joke. People think because a kid goes to Duquesne, or Robert Morris, he isn't good enough for Pitt. Nonsense. Good players slip though the cracks all the time. That's why you never heard of Scottie Pippen until he got to the NBA. Mike James of Duquesne just spent a dozen years in the NBA, and arguably, along with Charles Smith, had the best NBA career of any player who played college ball in Pittsburgh, save Billy Knight, and Norm Nixon. Think about that.
Little piece of trivia: Knight, and Nixon both had career scoring averages of 15.7 for their NBA careers.
Click to expand...

Tryone Haughton... could make the Sixers. Maybe that is where he is transferring to.
 
Ski11585 said:
Thank you. At the time, based on James' first two seasons, he compared extremely favorably to TJ. The difference is TJ had a great senior year and James had a very mediocre junior year. There's no need to mischaracterize previous arguments.

TJ's in a very fortunate situation. Philadelphia is a terrible team with no depth. Good luck to him to make the most of his opportunity. I won't be picking him up on my fantasy team though.
Click to expand...

Philadelphia also only has 2 healthy PG's, McConnell being one of them. Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall are both injured.

I also wouldn't rule out Robinson getting looks in the NBA, similar to David Stockton from Gonzaga. Game managing PG's tend to get looks. Hell, Royal Ivey had a 10-11 year career soleky because he could manage a game for 12 minutes a night.
 
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Pittbaseball11 said:
Philadelphia also only has 2 healthy PG's, McConnell being one of them. Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall are both injured.

I also wouldn't rule out Robinson getting looks in the NBA, similar to David Stockton from Gonzaga. Game managing PG's tend to get looks. Hell, Royal Ivey had a 10-11 year career soleky because he could manage a game for 12 minutes a night.
Click to expand...

You can bet James is well aware that this is his last year in college and he has got to show some more O if he is gonna get a good look professionally... and he had those 14 weeks of recovery time to think about it. So, we will see what he brings this year. 15 PPG should do it.
 
Sean Miller Fan said:
I wonder if there are still posters out there that still believe he's not Big East material. I admit I've been wrong on some stuff but man was I right about TJ.........well after I saw him play in Summer League after his HS senior year. I wouldnt have offered him as a HS soph either.

Who was the last WPIAL player to play in the NBA besides Danny Fortson and I dont really count him because he was from Altoona.
Click to expand...
Do you get paid by your pedo brothers for each bs post that is anti Pitt. You are truly demented in you hate of Pitt. It is your fault you flunked out and are a loser, not Pitt
 
Goldy lives! (if you can call it that)

Goldy... U should try your original ID... might not be locked out anymore.... and at least you could post as your real self... until of course when your posts all get deleted.
 
Sean Miller Fan said:
I wonder if there are still posters out there that still believe he's not Big East material. I admit I've been wrong on some stuff but man was I right about TJ.........well after I saw him play in Summer League after his HS senior year. I wouldnt have offered him as a HS soph either.

Who was the last WPIAL player to play in the NBA besides Danny Fortson and I dont really count him because he was from Altoona.
Click to expand...

he was a miss.
 
Zaratoughda said:
You can bet James is well aware that this is his last year in college and he has got to show some more O if he is gonna get a good look professionally... and he had those 14 weeks of recovery time to think about it. So, we will see what he brings this year. 15 PPG should do it.
Click to expand...

Provided he's not chucking up garbage to achieve it, 15 PPG would probably get him drafted in the 2nd round.
 
Why are we so hard on Robinson? at the time Dixon evaluated them Robinson (in his opinion) was ahead of McConnell. Everybody matures differently. A kid who is a 5 star in high school may not be so good in college and vice versa. Happens Everyday. Lamar Patterson is a prime example. Not every kid that goes to Louisville, Duke, or Kentucky goes pro, or succeeds if he does. And as mentioned James from Duquesne was not highly rated but still has/had a pro career. Does that mean that whoever their coach was at the time was A better coach, recruiter,or evaluator then Dixon ? You cannot compare players. and you never know how they are going to Pan out. Just congratulate TJ and wish Robinson and the panthers well.
 
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oldpantherfan said:
Why are we so hard on Robinson?
Click to expand...

Because people saw a top 50 ranking and assumed he was something that literally none of the associated write-ups or reports purported him to be.

Edit: Here's his scouting report from ESPN, who ranked him 43rd. This is literally what he is, and has been, to a T:

Strengths:
In a lead guard, you look for a kid who has pace, patience and smarts to his game. Robinson doesn't make a lot of mistakes and sees the floor well. He's not a guy who is prone to forcing and will finish straight line drives. Jumper keeps defenders honest. You can trust him to run a team and he's coachable. Other players will be in scoring position when he's on the floor.

Weaknesses:
Where he's lacking is in the speed department. He's not apt to blow by his man and and athletically he's average at best.

Bottom Line:
This is a mature basketball player. He's not flashy or spectacular, he's reliable and coachable. More of a team runner than a dominant scoring threat, he'll find his niche in a high-major program just as many who came before him at DeMatha have.
 
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When both were freshman nobody would have traded Robinson for TJ. l'm not say JR will play in the NBA ,but I'd bet you he'd look a lot better if Pitt had Az talent.
 
oldpantherfan said:
Why are we so hard on Robinson? at the time Dixon evaluated them Robinson (in his opinion) was ahead of McConnell. Everybody matures differently. A kid who is a 5 star in high school may not be so good in college and vice versa. Happens Everyday. Lamar Patterson is a prime example. Not every kid that goes to Louisville, Duke, or Kentucky goes pro, or succeeds if he does. And as mentioned James from Duquesne was not highly rated but still has/had a pro career. Does that mean that whoever their coach was at the time was A better coach, recruiter,or evaluator then Dixon ? You cannot compare players. and you never know how they are going to Pan out. Just congratulate TJ and wish Robinson and the panthers well.
Click to expand...

I think these posts are less about Robinson, and more about the fact that certain posters were very dismissive about TJ McConnell. These are the posters who acted like the worst player in the Big East had to be better than even the best player in a league like the A 10, despite the fact that the A 10 is probably the 8th best league in the country. These are the same posters who think we should have blown Xavier, and Butler off the floor when we played them in the NCAA's. This despite the fact that both teams had some NBA type guys on their roster. I tend to be sensitive about this type of bs, because we were subject to it when we played football in the Big East.
 
Fsgolfdr said:
When both were freshman nobody would have traded Robinson for TJ. l'm not say JR will play in the NBA ,but I'd bet you he'd look a lot better if Pitt had Az talent.
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TJ is the better defender, I would say- he's aggressive and creates steals and turnovers. He was also a surprisingly effective rebounder..

Here's how James's Junior year compared to TJ's RS junior year at Arizona:
PPG: 8.9 vs 8.4
APG: 4.1 vs 5.3
SPG: 1.1 vs 1.7
RPG: 3.6 vs 3.6

TJ dished out an extra assist per game, and got an extra half a steal per game, while James scored an extra 0.5 points per game.

TJ took a step up his senior season in every stat:
PPG: 10.4
APG: 6.3
SPG: 2.2
RPG: 3.8
 
I watched both up at Greentree and no way would I have taken him over JR. I understand that Greentree is street ball ,but like I said there was no doubt who was the better prospect at that time. Adams and JR what a great freshmen class .You just can't compare stats ones playing with the some of top talent in the country and ones not. It's great that he made a roster ,but it doesn't change the facts that four years ago JR was the right choice
 
TJ was also class of 2010 and committed to Duquesne as a sophomore in what was largely viewed as a favor to his Aunt Suzie. There was never really a JRob vs TJ decision except for on here, where there is some strange significance placed on where people are born and raised.
 
SoufOaklin4Life said:
TJ is the better defender, I would say- he's aggressive and creates steals and turnovers. He was also a surprisingly effective rebounder..

Here's how James's Junior year compared to TJ's RS junior year at Arizona:
PPG: 8.9 vs 8.4
APG: 4.1 vs 5.3
SPG: 1.1 vs 1.7
RPG: 3.6 vs 3.6

TJ dished out an extra assist per game, and got an extra half a steal per game, while James scored an extra 0.5 points per game.

TJ took a step up his senior season in every stat:
PPG: 10.4
APG: 6.3
SPG: 2.2
RPG: 3.8
Click to expand...
This is my long way of saying...
James is under appreciated by those who fixate on TJ- who is also a really good player.
Of course, those folks are projecting TJ's production as a function of a top team in the country- and not accounting for James' production at a lower talented program.
 
1st game

26 minutes, 2 points 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers. -2 +/- which was 3rd best on team. The Sixers suck but TJ is not only in the league, he's getting regular run. I thinm he's Big East material.
 
I still vividly recall making the suggestion to this board after seeing McConnell live as a SR in high school that he was better than A10 material and that I thought he could play in the BE. Boy was I ever shot down by the majority here. One even went as far as to say that the only reason why he even got an offer to Duquense was because of "Aunt Suzie" .
 
20-20Hindsight said:
I still vividly recall making the suggestion to this board after seeing McConnell live as a SR in high school that he was better than A10 material and that I thought he could play in the BE. Boy was I ever shot down by the majority here. One even went as far as to say that the only reason why he even got an offer to Duquense was because of "Aunt Suzie" .
Click to expand...

People really like to deny history around here.
 
Are daily updates for a guy who never played for Pitt going to be a thing? Because last I checked there are Pitt players we could talk about instead.
 
Ski11585 said:
Are daily updates for a guy who never played for Pitt going to be a thing? Because last I checked there are Pitt players we could talk about instead.
Click to expand...

Maybe we can merge the TJ updates in with the Sean and Archie Miller updates that are just around the corner.
 
Pittbaseball11 said:
Maybe we can merge the TJ updates in with the Sean and Archie Miller updates that are just around the corner.
Click to expand...

Better yet, why not just shove all the boring Pitt stuff into one thread and leave the rest of the forum for WPIAL alum updates?
 
I deleted my post. Sorry for posting. I should know better.
 
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