Sixers happy to see Lindsey Harding promoted from scout to coach
T.J. McConnell got a first-hand look at Harding's coaching style during Wednesday's pre-game workout
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Before Wednesday’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bulls, 76ers point guard T.J. McConnell was working out with new player-development coach Lindsey Harding.
Harding, 34, who joined the Sixers before this season as a pro personnel scout, gave McConnell quite a workout.
Her primary responsibility in her new job will be to monitor and develop players’ skills through on-court training and daily film breakdown.
Before joining the Sixers, Harding played nine seasons in the WNBA. She averaged 9.8 points in 270 games with six teams. Harding also played in Turkey, Lithuania, Russia, and Cyprus. She was the 2007 player of the year at Duke, where she led the Blue Devils to a 32-2 record.
“I think it is amazing,” McConnell said. “She was a great player in her own right and had a phenomenal career, and between man and woman, it shouldn’t matter -- if you can play, you can play, and she has a lot of knowledge of the game, and I know she will pass it on to all of us, and I am really excited.”
McConnell enjoyed his pregame workout with his new coach.
“Just trying to get her feet wet, just jumping in and doing some work,” he said. “It is great. She is a great person, a great player, and we are all lucky to have her here.”
Starting power forward Tobias Harris had a similar reaction to Harding’s promotion.
“She was one of the best to play the game and has a good knack for the game," Harris said, “and I look forward to ... working with her, and I think it is going to be a lot of fun.”
Harris’ sisters, Tori and Tesia, played basketball. It wasn’t until he was 13 that he could best his older sister, Tesia, who played college basketball at Delaware and St. John’s.
“I know the skill set, and I respect WNBA basketball, WNBA players, just because of the skill level that it takes to play basketball.,” Harris said. “Any person who is put in this scenario, male or female, I believe they can get the job done in the exact same way, if not even better. I am excited we have been able to select her to be assistant coach, and it is going to be fun to learn and get another feel for the game.”