Despite playing just 23 games during his rookie season, Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain made quite an impact. Quickly becoming a fan favorite, the rookie of the year favorite before his injury, and a light in a Sixers locker room that was rather dark at times this past season, McCain has quickly become one of the more popular players in Philadelphia, and much of it has to do with his natural positive disposition.
An infectious smile and an unrelenting sense of positivity—it all made sense early in the season. McCain had parlayed an impressive performance in the NCAA Tournament into a first-round selection, and then cracked the rotation for a, at that time, contending Sixers team. A quarter of the season in, McCain had successfully established himself as the clear favorite to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, and the season, though dark and gloomy due to the injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George, was brightened by his presence.
That would change come Dec. 13 as McCain suffered a torn meniscus against the Indiana Pacers. McCain would undergo surgery, and his season was quickly over, seemingly out of nowhere. It was a total gut punch for everyone, from the fans to McCain’s teammates to no one more so than McCain himself, and yet, McCain has found a way to smile through it all.
As he continued his recovery, McCain returned to the team, joining them on the bench during games, at practice, on the road, and with his unwaveringly positive attitude. Behind the scenes, he was laughing and joking with teammates, smiling constantly, and even chasing Joel Embiid after practice in an attempt to give the Sixers star a hug on at least one occasion.
But how does McCain maintain that positive energy? After all he had personally suffered through this season, and all that the team had suffered. McCain and his teammates jointly and individually had undergone a season from hell, and McCain came out the other side smiling as bright as ever.
It’s important to note that it’s inaccurate to say that McCain was unchanged by his suffering. Rather, McCain kept positivity at the forefront of his mind and embraced his situation, hoping to learn and transform through the experience.
After the Sixers’ final season game, McCain addressed the media. When asked how he can maintain his constant level of positive energy, McCain needed no time to ponder.
“Everything happens for a reason,” McCain said on maintaining positive energy. “God doesn’t make mistakes, and I know the universe has put me in this position to be injured to learn something. I know I’m destined for something greater. So I think I read the book, ‘The Obstacle Is the Way,’ and I think I said it before, but just trying to create any advantage through all the adversity that you can that you go through.”
“I think there’s a saying—I forget what book it was—but it said, ‘Amor fati.'”
Literally translated as “love of fate,” McCain expanded on how that mentality applies to his situation.
“Love everything that comes, even the negative, love everything that comes your way, and you’ll find your way back in the positive. And so I just try to take that every single day, live with gratitude. I’m huge on that, and I know I’ll be fine. I know I’ll get back to where I was, even better. And I just got to be patient and be present.”
McCain has never been short on confidence, nor has he ever been one to fear hard work. While the road to recovery is long, McCain’s conviction, determination, and unwavering sense of positivity should ultimately see him through to where he aims to be, which begins next season, when he will likely play a notable role for the Philadelphia 76ers.
