He was an integral part of the Pacers team<\/a> that played Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the OKC Thunder<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alongside his offensive talent, TJ McConnell<\/a> is a handy defender, who makes it tough for point guards to make plays.<\/p>\n McConnell has gone up against some of the best guards in the NBA, but he has broken the silence on who among them was the toughest player for him to guard.<\/p>\n McConnell has come off the bench for the majority of his career, but played some valuable minutes in big games for his team.<\/p>\n He often matches up against the opposition team\u2019s point guard, but that has never fazed McConnell.<\/p>\n His scoring off the bench is elite, but he also brings energy on the defensive end, which makes things difficult for opposing players.<\/p>\n However, when asked who his toughest assignment was, McConnell named Kyrie Irving<\/a> as his pick.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s the hardest guy I\u2019ve had to guard? Kyrie Irving.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ball\u2019s on a string. You\u2019re on an island, and you just don\u2019t know what he\u2019s gonna do. You could force him one way, but he still ends up getting the way you don\u2019t want him,\u201d said McConnell on The Christian Kuntz podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cHis handle is impeccable. It\u2019s impeccable. He\u2019s got the greatest handle I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n \u201cHe could really shoot it like, he\u2019s fast, it\u2019s just, it\u2019s a tough place to be mentally when you\u2019re when you\u2019re guarding Kyrie,\u201d McConnell added.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Kyrie Irving will be key to Dallas Mavericks\u2019 championship hopes<\/p>\n Last season was a tough ride for the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> fans as they saw their star player Luka Doncic get traded to the LA Lakers.<\/p>\n This was followed by injuries to Irving and Anthony Davis<\/a>, which led to the team missing out on the playoffs entirely.<\/p>\n After a bad regular season, the Mavs found some form of joy when they got a chance to pick Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick<\/a> in the 2025 NBA Draft.<\/p>\n The addition of Flagg, alongside Klay Thompson and Davis, certainly gives the franchise a lot of hope<\/a>, but Irving is a player they would need in order to compete for a championship.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n His ability to handle the ball and make clutch plays will help them massively in the playoffs.<\/p>\n![\"TJ](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2221007195-941x627.jpg\")
Photo by Maddie Meyer\/Getty ImagesMcConnell reveals Kyrie Irving as his toughest matchup<\/p>\n![\"Kyrie](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2202405432-1-940x627.jpg\")
Photo by Sam Hodde\/Getty Images<\/p>\n