The Philadelphia 76ers wish to recuperate from this yr’s disappointing outing, and one shiny spot on the roster appears to be able to take the league by storm as soon as once more.
After re-signing Tyrese Maxey, bringing in Paul George, and hoping for a wholesome season from Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers appeared poised to be one of many extra harmful groups within the Japanese Convention this season. Nevertheless, varied accidents saved their All-Star trio sidelined for large chunks of the yr, and the Sixers received’t even make the postseason.
With a 23-52 document thus far, Philadelphia is the fifth-worst group within the league, which really bodes properly for them. They owe a 2025 decide to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder except it falls within the prime six, and the 76ers may have favorable odds within the draft lottery.
Regardless of an abysmal document, it’s not all doom and gloom within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love. For starters, George, Maxey, and Embiid are anticipated to be wholesome(ier) subsequent yr, and breakout gamers Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele appear like high-level role-players for years to come back. In contrast to different groups close to the underside of the standings, the Sixers have a transparent path upwards.
Nevertheless, it was rookie Jared McCain who took the league by storm earlier than tearing his meniscus simply 23 video games into his profession, and he’s assured he can return to type regardless of an prolonged absence.
Earlier than hurting his knee, McCain was the distant frontrunner to win Rookie of the 12 months. He averaged 15.3 factors on 38.3% capturing from deep in his first 23 NBA video games after a standout season at Duke, highlighted by a 34-point sport in opposition to the then-undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers.
He entered his rookie season with supreme confidence after which delivered promising outcomes.
“I by no means actually had a second the place I didn’t really feel snug,” McCain advised Forbes.
“I all the time was prepared, even in our very first sport. I obtained in with like two minutes left. I felt able to be within the sport irrespective of when it was.”
In his debut, he scored solely 4 factors in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks, however he knew he may ship extra. He cited his 10-for-18, 27-point outing in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets in his ninth sport as his coming-out social gathering, and as his take-off level for the remainder of his quick season.
Figuring out his mentality earlier than his NBA debut, followers needs to be thrilled about his return at the beginning of subsequent season.
If McCain was in a position to begin his profession because the sixteenth general decide with supreme confidence, after which ship, having one other offseason so as to add muscle, tweak his type, and construct chemistry and confidence will solely do him properly.
As followers lose belief in Embiid and his potential to remain wholesome, McCain is shortly taking on as a fan favourite. Sixers followers are pining for an explosive backcourt of Maxey and McCain, and the youth the 2 have means that they are going to run the franchise for the subsequent a number of years, if no more than a decade.
With the Duke Blue Devils, McCain had a few of his greatest moments when the lights have been brightest. He scored 30 factors twice in March Insanity and shot a outstanding 50% from deep on excessive quantity.
He’s made it clear that he’ll method subsequent season with the identical mentality he started his NBA profession with, and the outcomes communicate for themselves.
