For Sixers rookie Jared McCain, camp and preseason may truly matter

For Sixers rookie Jared McCain, camp and preseason may truly matter originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The month or so leading up to the first game that counts aren’t very consequential for many NBA veterans.

Yes, it’s important that Joel Embiid ramps up smoothly, Paul George gains comfort with his new team and Tyrese Maxey keeps honing his playmaking. However, it would be a stretch to call any preseason minutes truly meaningful for the Sixers’ stars.

Rookie guard Jared McCain is in a much different position.

Based on the buzz out of training camp, the 16th overall pick has impressed in his early days as a Sixer. On Day 2, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters in the Bahamas he continues to “really like” McCain. He praised his “IQ for the game” and defensive effort, calling him a “scrapper.”

Jared McCain continues to impress and a game-winner from Paul George?! 👀🔥

Kate Scott has your day two update of Sixers Training Camp from the Bahamas! pic.twitter.com/BwtcxSaXf0

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 2, 2024

On Day 3, Joel Embiid described McCain as “tough” and said he’s been “shooting the ball extremely well.”

Will McCain end up vaulting over well-established players in the Sixers’ rotation? Reggie Jackson and Eric Gordon are in their mid-30s and Kyle Lowry’s 38. At 20 years old, McCain appears to have a mature outlook on his route to playing time. He’ll control what he can — hustle, positive energy, attention to detail — and look to enhance his sharpshooting reputation.

In his one year at Duke, McCain shot 41.4 percent from three-point range on 5.8 attempts per game. He then struggled with his shooting in a smaller, far lower-stakes sample at summer league, going just 28.6 percent from the field and 25.5 percent from three-point range.

“I’ve worked with (assistant coach Rico Hines) every day since summer league,” McCain said Monday at his first NBA media day. “I’ve been with him in the gym in the morning before practice, just trying to figure out what I can do to help the team win — whatever that is. And still perfecting whatever…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sixers-rookie-jared-mccain-camp-110000846.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2024-10-04 11:00:00

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