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Jared McCain, first-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers, has become as famous for his TikToks as he is for his activities on the field.
But of course that also brings with it a negative energy. McCain appeared on Paul George’s Podcast P with Paul George Presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment on Monday and talked about the attention and criticism he received for his social media presence and other idiosyncrasies (5:50):
“It was hard at first. Because I thought I was just trying to spread positivity. People hate me and tell me everything. At games, it was crazy. But eventually I think they’re either insecure or they’re just projecting something, maybe they’re hiding something about themselves. And they’re just trying to give an opinion to get a reaction from you, that’s all they want. I have to tell my parents, they want to respond more than I do. And I have to tell them, ‘No, just stay calm. Just stay calm.’ Eventually you get used to it. I didn’t really like that people talk about (painting my nails) and TikToks more than basketball. I’ve been playing basketball since I was three. I do it on the side, obviously it got me to where I am today. But when they try to overshadow my hard work in basketball by just mentioning TikTok and the nails, then I hate it.”
McCain, 20, will fight for a spot in the rotation this season for the newly formed Sixers, who also signed players such as George, Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Guerschon Yabusele and re-signed Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry.
Given the surplus of defenders on the team, it will be difficult to get playing time, but McCain’s shooting power, tenacity in defense and playmaking in the secondary defense should bode well.
