T.J. McConnell carved out an NBA niche by never backing down

T.J. McConnell has found his place in the NBA by never fully accepting he belongs, and it’s allowed him to make his impact felt during the Pacers’ run through the postseason.

Every NBA athlete can remember their welcome to the league moment. A jarring and often wide-eyed affirmation that their rookie rubber has really and truly hit the NBA road. But there’s another almost as universal moment among players from the last decade; less jarring, if sometimes annoying...