When TJ McConnell was single handedly keeping the Pacers in Game 7 until he no longer could, it was hard not to recall this same player in a Duquesne uniform 15 years ago.  TJ averaged around 11 points and 5 assists over two productive seasons in Pitsburgh before transferring to Arizona.  Already through 6 games in the series, TJ had recorded 68 points, 28 assists, 12 rebounds and 14 steals in the series, a combination of numbers that no bench player had ever reached in an NBA Final series.  He then added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for good measure in game 7 (7 turnovers as well but that kills the narrative). 

TJ's bench mate was none other than Obi Toppin whose 70+ points, 30+ rebounds, and 12+ three pointers made has only been equaled by Robert Horry (pertaining to a bench player in the Finals).  And all Big Shot Bob did was win 7 NBA championships.  As for Obi, consistency was an issue as evidenced by following-up a 20 point Game 6 with a zero point Game 7.

These two performances rank among the finest at the finals by any player with A10 ties.  The gold standard still belongs to Norm Nixon who won two NBA titles with the Lakers, averaging 16 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.;7 assists over 15 games. 

The next group belongs to three notable A10ers:  Marcus Camby (9.6 points/7.8 rebounds/2 blocks over 5 games with the Knicks), Aaron Mckie (8 points/5.4 rebounds/6 assists over 5 games with the Sixers), and James Posey (12 appearances and two titles with Miami in 2006 and Boston in 2008, where his career totals in the finals were 8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game).

Finally, very modest numbers for Jameer Nelson (3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists over 5 games with Orlando), and David West (3.1/1.7/0.8) who despite his limited role, managed to win two rings with Golden State in 2017 and 2018, joining Nixon and Posey as former A10 players to earn multiple rings.