Indiana Pacers season review: T.J. McConnell emerged as a leader

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 29: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball against Jeff Teague #55 of the Boston Celtics at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers – Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers may have found their new leader of the second unit.

In his second season with the Indiana Pacers, T.J. McConnell became the unquestioned leader of the bench unit. As injuries ran rampant in the backcourt, McConnell was a reliable member of the rotation who missed just three games on the season. That three-game absence was due to the birth of his child rather than an injury, which was rare but good news for the Pacers.

He filled in at times in the starting lineup, racking up three starts along the way and played heavy minutes in those starts. In each of his three appearances with the starting five, McConnell logged over 42 minutes of action. He played at least 30 minutes in 16 games last season and recorded at least 20 minutes in 59 of his 69 appearances.

Only once last season did McConnell not play more than 10 minutes, a blowout win over the Cavaliers back in December.

It became apparent that McConnell was Nate Bjorkgren’s favorite member of the second unit as he began eating into the minutes of Aaron Holiday and Jeremy Lamb whenever he could. His volume of minutes allowed McConnell to lead the NBA in steals and be an absolute menace in the offense as a passer.

T.J. McConnell led all bench players in the NBA with 6.6 assists per game and that total was also good for second on the Pacers, trailing only Domantas Sabonis at 6.7 per game. As he approaches free agency, the Pacers should do all they can to bring back T.J. McConnell to help the second unit once again.

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