Jared McCain has played 37 games in his NBA career and tore his meniscus and UCL between the first 23 and the most recent 14. So there are several reasons why McCain’s inconsistent second-year production (he’s now shooting 38 percent from the field) isn’t a cause for concern.
It feels like a lifetime ago that the Sixers drafted McCain due to the chaos that has ensued since, so it’s easy to forget that he’s missed more games than he’s played in his NBA tenure. He should still be allowed to hit the “rookie wall,” which usually comes midway through a player’s first season – which is basically what McCain now is.
The second reason we all need to take deep breaths (aside from the fact that meditation is healthy in general) is that McCain has had to deal with two injuries and both were serious. A torn meniscus and a torn UCL in a thumb will both wreak havoc on a player’s production. Even with both injuries recovered, it’s completely normal that McCain needs to find his shot again. He’s been a top scorer all his life, so a minor slump after two real injuries is clearly nothing to worry about.
Jared McCain is essentially still a rookie in a crowded backcourt
And finally, the Sixers don’t need McCain to immediately find his stride. It’s okay if he needs some time to acclimatize, as Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes do a commendable job keeping things under control.
McCain is still part of the Sixers’ long-term plans. With Grimes’ contract expiring after this year, he seems like an obvious odd man out in this Philly quartet, and that will open up many more minutes and opportunities for McCain.
In the meantime, it’s okay that his production is limited. It’s a good thing the Sixers don’t need a 21-year-old to get back to full strength, and it’s probably best for his development that he can work his way into a rotation that already has a strong cast of guards.
I know we all wanted McCain to return and immediately set the world on fire again, but that was never realistic. He has essentially played half of an NBA season. There is no reason to panic. Well, there’s actually plenty of reason to panic, but not when it comes to Jared McCain. Pretty much, like everything else in the world. Things that can make you panic. However, still try to breathe deeply.
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