Even if we remove the magical early-March contest in which Indiana Pacers PG T.J. McConnell recorded 10 steals at Cleveland, he led the entire NBA in the category.
Sure, Miami Heat SF Jimmy Butler averaged the most steals for the season, and we can count on him for more fantasy basketball goodness again this season, but McConnell ended up with 20 more steals than Butler and everyone else, and he contributed a helpful and consistent figure in assists as well. He was a critical category specialist.
Scoring and outside shooting is not McConnell's game but sometimes in a fantasy basketball league with a roto format, it is not about the scoring. Just rebounds matter. Steals matter. Shooting is a big deal. McConnell actually did score at a career-best rate during the 2020-21 season, and he made the field goals he attempted at a sweet rate, but oh my goodness those steals. Nothing could be sweeter. He had the most!
The NBA regular season is nearly upon us and for those in roto leagues, it is generally not a great idea to count on players such as McConnell to carry your teams.
Aim to target and rely on the versatile statistical options first. Shoot for players that score, rebound, pass, steal, shoot and do everything else that we covet for a fantasy roster, not the McConnell types.
However, in deeper formats and during a season, when we have holes in individual stat categories, these players may be critical.