TJ McConnell Comes Up Clutch Yet Again With An Incredible Letter To Pacers' Fans
When I woke up on the most average summer Tuesday, I didn't think I'd find the motivation to run through a brick wall, but here we are ready to demolish a buildings infrastructure thanks to an absolute DAWG of a human - TJ McConnell. Such a simple letter in The Player's Tribune, but so well done. TJ summed up the season and the future perfectly - The finals Game 7 was and is still devastating, Indiana basketball culture is the best in the league, and keep doubting the Pacers because the team lives to prove the haters (of which there are many) wrong. I just hope after TJ penned this perfect letter, he won't turn around and stab us in the back in a few months à la Myles Turner. But after reading this letter, I have a glimmer of hope and excitement for a Haliburton-less season for the first time since the injury.
I know we’re being written off now by everyone. I know they’re thinking the Pacers are done, or that this run we just went on will be the peak for our group. And I understand why. But it’s the same bulls*** we’ve always dealt with in Indy — and it’s the same exact thing we’ve had to hear so many times over the last year. Swept by the Celtics, they’re done. Started out 10–15, they’re done. Down 7 late to the Bucks, down 7 late to the Cavs, down 9 late to the Knicks, down 15 late to the Thunder, they’re done. Down 3–2 in the Finals, they’re done.
Lost Game 7 in the most brutal way possible … lost their franchise player for next season … lost their center in free agency … they’re done.
You’d think people would learn by now, but: We’re actually not done.
- TJ McConnell via The Player's Tribune
Inject it into my veins! Keep doubting this team. A team without their star, an undersized white guy running point, a center by committee - none of that matters. The Indiana vs Everyone mentality only brings this team closer together. Who knows how many years TJ still has left in the league, so you know the guy whose best skill is all out hustle isn't going to take a game off, never mind an entire season. I can't wait to rally around this team next season, and when no one gives Indiana a chance, bump some team's in the East with huge expectations out of the playoffs. Continue to discredit and dislike TJ, but he'd be your favorite player if he was on your team.