PHILADELPHIA, PA — Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, rookie guard Jared McCain discussed staying ready for the moment, whether the Sixers need him in the starting lineup or off the bench.
McCain has been among the Sixers’ most consistent players, if not the most consistent, for the majority of the season. A quick three-game slide was met by a return to efficiency Tuesday night in Charlotte and then again in Wednesday’s matchup.
In both games, McCain proved ready to provide what the Sixers needed from him even though he was relegated to the bench in one and returned to the starting lineup in the other.
Following the game, McCain was asked about staying ready for the moment.
“That’s just who I am,” McCain said. “Anytime I’m in the starting lineup, I’m gonna play as hard as I can. If I come off the bench, I’m gonna play as hard as I can, no matter what it is. It doesn’t really matter. Just same mindset, just different timing coming in the game.”
Despite being only 20 games into his NBA career and being just 20 years of age at that, McCain has shown extreme maturity and deserved confidence both on and off the court early in his career. When asked about the keys to his game, or his progression in the sport, McCain so often answers by simply pointing to the importance of hard work.
Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has also repeatedly mentioned throughout the year how hard of a worker McCain is. Ahead of the team’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, Nurse discussed McCain’s confidence and motor.
“I think he almost always exudes a tremendous amount of confidence,” Nurse said “I think he really is confident and certainly not afraid. The other thing you gotta notice or admire, whatever stage you’re at, is that he plays really hard. He plays really hard the whole time he’s out there. There’s no possessions off, and he’s chasing the ball, and he’s guarding hard, and he’s got a big motor. He can really play hard for long stretches.”
McCain has seen the fruits of his labors with plenty of success on the court, averaging 16.5 points per game, the most among all rookies this season. The league has also recognized McCain for his production, naming him the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November.
Two games into the month of December, McCain has shown more of the same, putting himself in a great position early to be the favorite once again for the award. There remains a long journey ahead for Sixers rookie Jared McCain, but thanks to an inherrent drive to constantly work at his game, he continues to thrive in the early goings.
