Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain is enjoying his new situation after being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jalen Williams pointed out McCain’s happiness in the visitors’ locker room at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Williams directly asked McCain what he was so happy about.
Early Success with Oklahoma City
The Thunder have gone 9-3 since acquiring McCain from the 76ers. This is despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missing nine of those games and Williams missing 10. Oklahoma City secured a 103-100 victory against the New York Knicks, improving to a league-best 49-15.
McCain is known for his cheerful character and ability to find the positive in any situation. In his first month with the Thunder, he has found plenty to smile about.
McCain has played 12 games for his new team, scoring at least 20 points in three of those games. The 6-foot-3 guard has averaged 11.9 points in 19.2 minutes per game, shooting 47% from the field, 41% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line.
Appreciating the Thunder’s Style of Play
McCain never wanted to leave the Sixers and was “completely blindsided” by the trade. However, he is grateful to have landed with Oklahoma City.
McCain is impressed with the Thunder’s offensive system. He praised the team’s chemistry and unselfishness. He enjoys playing off Isaiah Hartenstein.
“It’s being able to find where I want the ball but also find my man after he passes the ball, when he drops the passes,” McCain said. “Or being able to just pitch it and then come off. Just that little bit of space is all a shooter needs to get something off. And if I got a little bit of an advantage, I know I can either get to the bump mid or get to a 3.”
Alignment with Coach Daigneault’s Philosophy
McCain appreciates coach Mark Daigneault’s approach. Daigneault emphasizes being present and building resilience.
McCain is a re-reader of “The Inner Game of Tennis” and has practiced meditation and visualisation since high school.
“When you can mesh like that with a coach, it’s really awesome,” McCain said, recalling his first meeting with Daigneault and general manager Sam Presti before the 2024 draft.
“Being able to just talk to them about, ‘How is Shai so good?’ It was process-oriented, the daily habits,” McCain said. “It’s the consistency, the discipline. That’s all