As Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCann prepares to face the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time since their trade at the deadline, the second-year guard reflected on the change he's made and the kind of reception he's expecting. McCann returns to Philadelphia with the Thunder in search of their 12th consecutive win, as the defending champions are once again the hottest team in the NBA.
As far as McCann's reception from 76ers fans at their games in Philadelphia as a member of the visiting Thunder, he is expecting a friendly reaction from the fans.
"I'm hoping for the positive," McCain said. "My friends and family — they ask me what's going on and what's going on. So, I know they're excited to be back. Hopefully it'll be fun."
Since his trade to the Thunder, McCann says he has felt the embrace of Sixers fans, despite the fact that he is playing for the defending champions.
"It means a lot. I've always loved the Philly fans. They were always very nice whenever I went out, when I got hurt, they were always very positive and very helpful in my opinion," McCann said. “So, I guess, thank you to him for supporting me through this process and always being there for me.
"The DMs I've gotten have been great, and they're just saying they miss me and my stuff. So, yeah, definitely love the Philly fans."
Amid the Thunder's five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams, McCann scored a season-high 26 points in a 121–92 win against the Brooklyn Nets last week.
Jared McCain questions Thunder's intentions after 76ers trade
Second-year guard Jared McCann admitted he had to ask the 76ers about his trade a second time. He was so devastated by the news of the trade that he did not go where he was going. Then, once he realized he was headed to the Thunder, he wondered why the defending champions would want him.
McCain said, "They won the championship. Why do you want me? It's almost a scary feeling about what's going to happen next." "You have no clue. It's just the unknown. But they've been nothing but welcoming to me, and it's been so amazing to be with this team. The vibes are amazing. Just the culture of the organization. This process has been very seamless for me, and I finally landed in a place. So, I'm happy with it."
McCain joining the Thunder has undoubtedly been a smooth process.
