“This is the fastest human being running me off screens” – TJ McConnell recalls getting embarrassed by Tony Parker in his rookie season originally appeared on Basketball Network.
One of the biggest reasons why the Indiana Pacers reached the NBA Finals in 2025 wasn’t just due to Pascal Siakam’s consistent scoring bursts or Tyrese Haliburton’s late-game heroics, but also because of the high-level role playing of TJ McConnell. Coming off the bench, ‘Rocco’ played with such great pace and intensity that he was able to keep the momentum high. Moreover, TJ repeatedly used his witty basketball IQ to read plays before they happened, making timely interceptions, sparking fast breaks and constantly keeping opposing scorers under pressure.
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However, McConnell’s stern court vision and IQ did not develop overnight. He, too, had his own share of humbling experiences, one of which was handed to him by Tony Parker in his rookie year.
McConnell on being schooled by Parker
By the time McConnell entered the league in 2015, Parker’s All-Star and All-NBA days were well behind him. Still, what TJ didn’t anticipate was just how effective and dangerous Parker remained – even if he wasn’t amongst the league’s most elite, his presence on the court still demanded respect.
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On December 7, 2015, the San Antonio Spurs dismantled McConnell’s Philadelphia 76ers in a 119-68 blowout. While the French guard played only 17 minutes and finished with 12 points, those brief minutes were enough to leave a lasting impression on rookie McConnell.
“McClutchell” recalled that battle on the ‘Christian Kuntz’ podcast, emphasizing how desperate he became at one point against Parker that he wanted to be subbed out of the game, after constantly playing catch-up against a guy who is almost 10 years older than him, making him realize the true standard of the league.
“My rookie year, we were playing the Spurs. We lost by 50 points. Tony Parker, there’s this action in the NBA called ‘floppy.’ It’s basically the guy in the ‘floppy’ action stars in the paint and he can run you off, pin downs any side. He’ll come off and if he doesn’t have anything past it, he’ll run you back down. Go off the other way. I was guarding him; he ran me off six of those. He just knew how to get angles. I’ve never asked for a sub in my entire career. I was like, ‘This is the fastest human being running me off screens,'” McConnell said. “He’s just elite.”
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Tony Parker was an absolute beast
TP was never the flashiest player nor the type to dominate highlight reels, but the reason he helped lead the Spurs to four NBA titles was his elite understanding of the game. Even when he wasn’t scoring in bunches, his ability to manipulate defenses, run the offense, and set up teammates made him invaluable to San Antonio’s success. Put simply, whether it was his quick first step, his knack for using screens to create separation, or his willingness to act as a decoy to open up others, Parker operated within the Spurs’ disciplined system like a quiet assassin.
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And for McConnell, that experience against Parker wasn’t just a wake-up call to pull his socks; it was a sheer masterclass in how to impact a game without needing to dominate it.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.