<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-2-potential-replacements-for-jared-mccain-after-season-ending-surgery');   ga('set', 'title', '2 potential replacements for Jared McCain after season-ending surgery');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/76ers-3-potential-replacement-for-Jared-McCain-after-season-ending-surgery.jpg"></figure><h1>2 potential replacements for Jared McCain after season-ending surgery</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T05:31:24-08:00">December 22nd, 5:31am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T05:31:24-08:00">December 22nd, 5:31am</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As you may or may not have heard, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-delivers-heartbreaking-injury-update-after-surgery">Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain announced on YouTube</a> that he will be out for the remainder of the season after having successful surgery on his left meniscus.</p><p>After rocketing off to an incredible rookie campaign, hitting 3s open and contested, repositioning himself like a mini-Steph Curry, and providing some additional pop as a pesky defender and secondary passer, McCain’s season has presumably come to an end, with a return come playoff time dashed until a team official says otherwise.</p><p>Now, for the Sixers, this is the latest crushing blow in a decade of crushing blows, predictable and not. Suddenly, Philadelphia had another ascending young star on a rookie-scale contract one year after Tyrese Maxey cashed in on his rookie-scale contract extension, and while there were some questions about how the two players fit together on the court, they were slowly but surely figuring it out. Even if McCain is still a member of the 76ers, his ceiling is still sky high, and Philadelphia can account for him as a part of their future moving forward, he won’t be knocking down 3s for Embiid as an outlet pass option any time soon, which, quite frankly, sucks.</p><p>So, with McCain out of action moving forward, what can the 76ers do to help replace him moving forward? Should they target another guard, point or shooting, to help ease the blow in the short and/or long term? Or does Philadelphia have enough depth to weather this storm but could use the additional roster spot to add a player at another position of need? Well, let’s take a look at the market, at the roster, and see what Daryl Morey, Elton Brand, and company can put together in order to keep Philadelphia alive and kicking in McCain’s honor.</p><h2><b>2 potential replacements for Jared McCain</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Vasilije-Micic-talks-to-Charlotte-Hornets-head-coach-Steve-Clifford.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h2><b>1. Trade for Vasilije Micić</b></h2><p>If the 76ers want to acquire a veteran point guard who can play either guard spot, defend across multiple positions, and dish out dimes to everyone from Tyrese Maxey to Joel Embiid, they should trade for Lonzo Ball.</p><p>On paper, Ball is a perfect fit; he can hit 3s both on and off the ball, is a savant passer who can set his teammates up at a – dare I say – James Harden-level, and made his bones in the NBA as a defense-first guard, capable of going against guards 1-through-3 with ease. Play him next to Maxey in 2024-25, deploy him in a three-man platoon with McCain in 2025-26, and who knows, maybe there’s a three-guard look down the line where all three can co-exist like Dennis Schroder, Chris Paul, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in OKC back in 2019-20?</p><p>The problem? <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/balllo01.html" rel="noopener">Ball is making $21 million</a>, and unless the 76ers trade four players to make the deal work or part way with one of their big three, there just isn’t a world where he’s going to land in Philadelphia before the 2025 NBA trade deadline.</p><p>Fortunately, there is a player who can do some of the things Ball can do and would likely be gettable for basically nothing in Carolina Hornets guard Vasilije Micić, the Spanish point guard who actually has some interesting ties to Philadelphia.</p><p>Originally drafted by the team in 2014 when Sam Hinkie was still calling the shots, Morey threw in Micic NBA rights when he traded <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-sixers-trade-al-horford-to-thunder-for-danny-green-two-draft-picks" rel="noopener">Al Horford and a protected 2025 first-round pick</a> to the Thunder for Danny Green, Vincent Poirier, and a second-round pick.</p><p>From there,<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/micicva01.html" rel="noopener"> Micic played for the Thunder for 30 games</a> starting in 2023 before being traded to the Hornets in February of 2024 alongside Davis Bertans, Tre Mann, and two seconds for the rights to Gordon Hayward. While that trade didn’t really work out for the Thunder or Micic, he has played well when his number gets called, most recently scoring 20 points on the 76ers in their most recent showdown on December 20th.</p><p>Standing 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Micic isn’t a great defender, but he can score, he can pass, and most importantly of all, he’s being wasted in Charlotte, where he’s only appeared in 17 games with eight starts. If the Hornets are willing to move on from Micic for cap filler and a second-round pick, say, Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond, then the 76ers should at least consider it. If, however, they want to expand the deal out even further and get another player of note back in the deal, someone like Grant Williams, Josh Green, Cody Martin, or Nick Richards in the deal, then that is most certainly an option, too.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Markelle-Fultz-dribbling-the-basketball.jpeg"><figcaption>Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h2><b>2. Sign Markelle Fultz</b></h2><p>If <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/markelle-fultz-possibility-drafted-76ers" rel="noopener">Markelle Fultz began his career</a> playing for any other team in the NBA but the 76ers, he would probably be a member of the team right now.</p><p>On paper, Fultz pretty much fits every bill the 76ers have been looking for, even before McCain went down with a season-ending injury. Now sure, <i>technically</i>, he still can’t put up 3s at a respectable clip,<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fultzma01.html" rel="noopener"> hitting a high water mark of 31.0 percent</a> back in 2022-23 for the Magic, but the pride of Upper Marlboro is still a good defender, has position versatility across both guard spots, and bringing a scoring pop off the bench. While Fultz is still more of a combo guard than a true point, he’s taken a step forward as a passer and a rebounder during his run in Orlando, averaging 4.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game during his run in the Magic Kingdom.</p><p>Currently unsigned after failing to find a home during free agency, Fultz could sign a 10-day contract or agree to a non-guaranteed deal to stick around in Philadelphia conditionally, with the potential to be waived should a better option become available or the 76ers need his roster spot for one reason or another.</p><p>The problem? There are so many feelings about Fultz already in Philadelphia, from being a wasted pick to the disappointment of how his career shook out to the enjoyment over the fact that the pick the 76ers acquired from Orlando for his services ended up being used to select Maxey out of Kentucky. His old number, 20, has been taken by McCain, another player who looks like a home run 76ers draftee, and his play — or lack thereof – will be under a bigger microscope than Player X with no other ties to Philadelphia.</p><p>Bring back Seth Curry? Sure. Trade Eric Gordon for Jaden Springer? Why not? He’s still a good defender, even if Boston won’t play him. Heck, most would even welcome back Mattise Thybulle now that he’s added a 3 point shot to his elite defensive game as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. But Fultz? The player the Colangelo’s drafted over Jayson Tatum? Goodness, no matter if he plays well, poorly, or somewhere in between, fans will have an inflated opinion on it, which might just produce too much drama than it’s worth.</p><p>If the 76ers deem the risk worth it, however, then yeah, why not give him a 10 day contract and see how he plays alongside Maxey? If it works out, Philadelphia will look like geniuses. And if it doesn’t? Well, Trust The Process, baby.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2 potential replacements for Jared McCain after season-ending surgery

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-delivers-heartbreaking-injury-update-after-surgery');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ Jared McCain delivers heartbreaking injury update after surgery');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/76ers-news-Jared-McCain-delivers-heartbreaking-injury-update-after-surgery.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers’ Jared McCain delivers heartbreaking injury update after surgery</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T20:32:48-08:00">December 21st, 8:32pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-21T20:32:48-08:00">December 21st, 8:32pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After rapidly establishing himself as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rookie-power-rankings-24-25-jared-mccain-headlines-wide-open-race">brightest spot of an otherwise ugly start</a> to the 2024-25 NBA season, Philadelphia 76ers fans were dealt a crushing blow when news broke that star rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-devastating-knee-injury-update">Jared McCain had suffered a torn meniscus</a> in his left knee and would be out of action “indefinitely.”</p><p>Now granted, if there’s any fanbase in the NBA, nay, in professional sports, period, that knows about weathering injuries, it belongs to the 76ers, with the organization’s supporters practically having PHDs from all of the injuries they’ve had to learn about over the past few years. Still, after things slowly but surely started to turn around, the team got healthy, and key players got hot, it looked like the 76ers had found their backcourt of the future in McCain and Tyrese Maxey.</p><p>Technically, that could be true, but the key word is future, as McCain let fans know on his YouTube channel that he will be <a href="https://x.com/sixers_galaxy/status/1870669713979871267" rel="noopener">out for the remainder of the season</a> <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-sends-message-to-fans-right-after-knee-surgery">following surgery</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Full clip👇 <a href="https://t.co/idsob7Zw6M">pic.twitter.com/idsob7Zw6M</a></p><p>— Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy) <a href="https://twitter.com/sixers_galaxy/status/1870669713979871267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>No, Jared McCain, no; say it ain’t so.</p><p>Now, for fans of the 76ers who, again, are practically expected on the injury game, the words “rest of the year” could mean a lot of things, from the rest of the regular season to the rest of the 2025 calendar year. While fans with a deep love of what “Mini Steph” brings to the table clearly hope it’s the former, for the sake of the City of Brotherly Love’s mental health, it’s probably better to assume that Duke Blue Devil’s season is over the only bit of joy he will bring to the Delaware Valley is his activities on TikTok, assuming the app isn’t banned in January of 2025.</p><p>A crushing blow? Yes. Normally, this would be where the story gets a pin put in it with a little bit of optimism to send folks home happy, but there really isn’t anything positive to take away from this news unless you really want Philly to go full-on tank mode in the pursuit of Cooper Flagg. If you fall into that tiny segment of the fanbase, then you must be thrilled. But for the rest? I am so sorry.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ Jared McCain delivers heartbreaking injury update after surgery

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/rookie-year-betting-favorite-after-jared-mccain-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'The player who became Rookie of the Year betting favorite after Jared McCain injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0The-player-who-became-Rookie-of-the-Year-betting-favorite-after-Jared-McCain-injury0.jpg"></figure><h1>The player who became Rookie of the Year betting favorite after Jared McCain injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T13:23:01-08:00">December 18th, 1:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T13:23:01-08:00">December 18th, 1:23pm</time><address><a>Kris Pursiainen</a>Kris Pursiainen is an Associate Editor for all sports based in the NJ/NYC area. Kris brings several years of experience reporting on and writing about professional teams to the table. With experience all over the country as a New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Mets, Super Bowl LVIII, and Big East beat reporter, Kris has been breaking news and reporting on the NBA, NFL, MLB, and college basketball landscapes for years. Kris is a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Philadelphia 76ers’ season has been impeded by several misfortunes. But rookie Jared McCain was shining so bright that he became the odds-on favorite to win the rookie of the year.</p><p>When <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-devastating-knee-injury-update">McCain suffered a knee injury</a> and was ruled out indefinitely, the market responded. The award’s odds-leaderboard looks completely different. And the draft’s #4 overall pick, Stephon Castle, has taken the top spot with his play <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/spurs-news-gregg-popovich-breaks-silence-after-suffering-stroke-november">for the San Antonio Spurs</a>.</p><p>Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey was the clubhouse leader coming into the season. The Canadian colossus now has just the fifth-best odds to come out on top at +1500, <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=season-awards" rel="noopener">according to Fanduel</a>. The first player selected in the 2024 NBA Draft was Hawks wing Zaccharie Risacher, who is +1000 to take home the award despite sitting at +850 preseason.</p><p>Dalton Knecht’s name got national attention during a great stretch of play for his Los Angeles Lakers and catapulted from +1100 odds preseason to his current standing of +500. His production has cooled off recently but he remains firmly in third place for the award.</p><p>The Pelicans came into the season with Daniel Theis and rookie Yves Missi at center. The 20-year old big man from Baylor is averaging 9.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season – and an impressive 11.5 rebounds per game over his last eight games played. Missi’s preseason chances at Rookie of the Year were considered to be so small that he was well over +6000 on major sportsbooks. He reminds you at times on the court that he is still a raw player, but the potential is clear.</p><h2><b>Stephon Castle’s impact on the Spurs has him in pole position for ROTY</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Stephon-Castle-Victor-Wembanyama-Spurs.jpg"><figcaption>Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Castle is a raw basketball talent. He turned 20-years old in early November. His 48.0 true-shooting percentage is in the sixth percentile among all NBA players. But if you aren’t seeing the ways in which he’s already impacting winning, you’re not looking.</p><p>This rookie class was <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/the-2024-nba-draft-is-bad-especially-for-gms-and-scouts" rel="noopener">intensely maligned</a> before a single player touched the court because of its lack of franchise cornerstones and traditional lead scoring options. Those players tend to dominate these awards by having the best sheet of statistics at the end of the season and having their team’s success factored in to a degree.</p><p>But McCain and Knecht were the only rookies coming close to fitting that bill. With McCain’s injury and Knecht averaging approximately 6.4 points per game over his last seven games played, the red carpet has been rolled out for impact and glue guys to have a shot. Castle’s Spurs are certainly improved from last season and, even if his shooting is currently wildly inefficient, his on/off metrics indicate they’re better off with him playing.</p><p>Castle’s box scores are volatile. He just scored 22 points on 53% shooting against the Pelicans and followed it up by shooting 1-for-8 as the Timberwolves grabbed a win on the road. But there’s plenty of season left for him to continue to settle into playing at the NBA level.</p><p>The other rookies on the leaderboard will certainly be looking to do the same.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The player who became Rookie of the Year betting favorite after Jared McCain injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-sends-message-to-fans-right-after-knee-surgery');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jared McCain sends message to fans right after knee surgery');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jared-McCain-sends-message-to-fans-right-after-knee-surgery.jpg"></figure><h1>Jared McCain sends message to fans right after knee surgery</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T10:46:54-08:00">December 18th, 10:46am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T10:47:54-08:00">December 18th, 10:47am</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Philadelphia 76ers will be without one of their best players for a while. <a href="https://3.basecamp.com/5767866/buckets/36793780/card_tables/cards/8140607922">Jared McCain tore his left meniscus</a>, sidelining him indefinitely. Fortunately, the standout rookie’s surgery was successful and what he already provided the Sixers in his first 23 NBA games leaves a lot of optimism about his future.</p><p>McCain took to TikTok to share a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jaredmccain24/video/7449792525507841311?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7280979338361587243" rel="noopener">post-surgery update</a> right from his hospital bed, thanking fans for their well wishes. It seems like he filmed his video right after waking up from the operation, which happened on Tuesday.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jared McCain just got outta surgery and posted this 😭😭 <a href="https://t.co/cTGhgRaffU">pic.twitter.com/cTGhgRaffU</a></p><p>— IcyVert (@IcyVert) <a href="https://twitter.com/IcyVert/status/1869425469667586328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>76ers’ Jared McCain undergoes successful surgery on torn meniscus</b></h2><p>Nick Nurse said after the 76ers’ practice on Wednesday that the team is “very optimistic about how [McCain’s surgery] went and how the recovery will be. He’s obviously still trying to come to grips with it and all that kind of stuff, very disappointed, et cetera. So, [I] feel bad for him.”</p><p>McCain still leads all rookies in total points and points per game, towering over the field with 15.3 points per game to go along with 2.6 assists and 2.4 rebounds. He was well on his way to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-delivers-five-word-declaration-amid-rookie-of-the-year-bid">winning the Rookie of the Year award</a> — at least being the strongest contender in the field — but now will probably miss out on league honors because of the amount of games he missed. Although it’s unclear how much more of this season he’ll get, he made the very most of what he got.</p><p>The 76ers, at 8-16, could still really use McCain in the lineup. He’s one of their best shooters (38.3 percent from deep on 5.8 attempts per game), a smooth scorer and a competitor. Veterans Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon will be in line for more minutes off the bench while Kelly Oubre Jr. starts at shooting guard next to Tyrese Maxey. In the meantime, McCain will surely hit his recovery hard and do whatever he can to return to the court.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jared McCain sends message to fans right after knee surgery

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-devastating-knee-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers hit with Jared McCain devastating knee injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/76ers-news-Jared-McCain-hit-with-devastating-knee-injury-update.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers hit with Jared McCain devastating knee injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-14T14:07:08-08:00">December 14th, 2:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-14T14:24:26-08:00">December 14th, 2:24pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>More devastating news continues to fly the Philadelphia 76ers way, this time with rookie guard Jared McCain. He suffered a <a href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1868051869354050043" rel="noopener">torn lateral meniscus in his left knee</a> and will be out indefinitely, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-how-jared-mccain-overtaken-rookie-of-year-odds">McCain overtook the Rookie of the Year odds</a>, his season could likely come to a close.</p><p>In 23 games, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. On a team with Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, he was one of the most consistent pieces. Even in the 76ers’ rocky start to the season, McCain was their X-factor and helped them stay in games.</p><p>The No. 16 pick from Duke basketball was known for his viral TikTok following. However, he’s even more impressive on the court. To be a top option on a team with three all-stars is beyond impressive. He had 10 consecutive games, scoring 15+ points. For rookies, that’s impressive. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-enters-victor-wembanyama-territory-with-impressive-feat">McCain even entered Victor Wembanyama territory for the 76ers</a> by scoring 20+ in consecutive games. Considering he was a one-and-done and stepped up to the role, the 76ers found a gem.</p><h2><b>Jared McCain’s injury is an amalgamation of the 76ers’ current season</b></h2><p>McCain’s injury is the tip of the iceberg for the 76ers season. After signing George in free agency and the emergence of Maxey, they were poised to be a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference. However, the beginning of the season didn’t get off to a great start. Both George and Embiid were dealt with nagging injuries. As a result, McCain was thrown into the fire alongside Maxey. </p><p>The duo salvaged a rough start to the season. Even though fans were upset at the underwhelming result, they loved McCain’s emergence. He is a savvy scorer who scores in unconventional ways. McCain emphasizes floaters, utilizing the pick-and-roll and mid-range shots. His effectiveness in these areas unlocked a new dimension of the guard play.</p><p>Luckily, McCain’s skill blossomed at the right time. Unfortunately, his injury defines a tumultuous season for the 76ers. A locker room incident between Embiid and a reporter wasn’t ideal. Furthermore, Maxey’s callout of Embiid highlighted a disastrous opening month to the season. </p><p>The 7-16 squad will need to lean on their trio even more to salvage a forgettable season. With McCain out of the picture, more of the offensive burden will fall on Maxey, George, and Embiid. While the rookie might be on the sidelines, he’s won over the 76ers fanbase.</p><p>Although he’s out indefinitely, he could return. After all, Embiid returned after a torn meniscus and helped Philadelphia make the playoffs. Regardless, they will miss McCain’s scoring and efficiency and can only hope for a return this season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers hit with Jared McCain devastating knee injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-rookie-power-rankings-24-25-jared-mccain-headlines-wide-open-race');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Jared McCain headlines wide-open race');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Jared-McCain-headlines-wide-open-race.jpg"></figure><h1>NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Jared McCain headlines wide-open race</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-10T14:57:46-08:00">December 10th, 2:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-10T14:57:46-08:00">December 10th, 2:57pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Compared to previous seasons, where Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama ran away with the NBA’s Rookie of the Year race, there is no obvious choice at the top of this year’s rookie rankings. Philadelphia 76ers rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-how-jared-mccain-overtaken-rookie-of-year-odds">Jared McCain strung together some impressive performances</a> with Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey dealing with injuries, yet his role and production have declined recently. So, what about the rest of the rookie class?</p><p>Zach Edey, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/zach-edey-headlines-3-silver-linings-struggling-nba-rookie-class">a favorite for Rookie of the Year entering the 2024-25 season</a>, hasn’t played since Nov. 17 due to an ankle injury. Donovan Clingan, the seventh overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers, is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-news-donovan-clingan-step-towards-return-injury">currently dealing with an MCL sprain</a>. Then there are the top picks in this year’s draft: Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, and Reed Sheppard.</p><p>Starting with Sheppard, the Houston Rockets guard has barely played early in his rookie season. In fact, he has seen 20-plus minutes in just one game past the quarter mark. Sarr has made the most of his minutes with the Washington Wizards, as he is the starting big man on a team with three wins. Then there is Risacher, the top overall pick from this past June’s draft, who is beginning to find his rhythm on the wing with a rising Atlanta Hawks team.</p><p>Roles will change as the calendar flips to 2025, and new rookies will emerge as key factors for their respective teams. At the same time, there hasn’t been much to discuss regarding this year’s rookie class, which is why this is anybody’s race to seize. Right now, it’s McCain who has exceeded expectations and caught the league’s attention.</p><h2><b>1. Jared McCain – Philadelphia 76ers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24826826_168403981_lowres.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><i>Stats: 22 games, 15.8 points, 2.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 46.3 FG%, 38.2 3P%</i></p><p>In the middle of November, when the 76ers were without their star players, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-pulls-off-feat-unheard-franchise-history">McCain was putting on a show</a>. His best performance was a 34-point, 10-assist night against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 13, and this was part of a spectacular seven-game stretch in which McCain recorded at least 20 points and three made triples in every game. To this point, McCain leads all rookies in scoring and field goals made. He is tied with Dalton Knecht for the lead in threes.</p><p>However, after consistently seeing about 40 minutes per game during his hot streak, McCain is back down to rookie minutes off the bench with George, Maxey, and Embiid healthy. As a result, his scoring numbers and overall shooting opportunities have dropped significantly. Still, McCain’s run in November is by far the best performance we have seen from a rookie to this point in the season.</p><h2><b>2. Stephon Castle – San Antonio Spurs</b></h2><p><i>Stats: 24 games, 12.1 points, 3.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 38.6 FG%, 28.2 3P%</i></p><p>Not enough attention gets cast on Stephon Castle and what he’s done in the backcourt next to Chris Paul. There is nobody better to mentor a young guard than Paul, and he has done so thus far with the San Antonio Spurs fourth overall pick. Castle has shown steady growth as a ball handler and facilitator since his first game, and he has started to assert himself as one of the better scoring options on the Spurs as of late. After recording a single game scoring 10 or more points through his first eight games, Castle has since scored at least 10 points in 15 of his last 16 appearances.</p><p>The Spurs have been searching for the next young star to emerge next to Victor Wembanyama, and they may have found him with Castle, hence his No. 2 spot in the NBA rookie rankings.</p><h2><b>3. Zaccharie Risacher – Atlanta Hawks</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Risacher-vs-the-Knicks.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><i>Stats: 25 games, 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 40.8 FG%, 28.6 3P%</i></p><p>Expectations can’t be higher than when you are drafted first overall. Risacher is currently battling through this, yet he has put together flashes of his potential for the Hawks. The 19-year-old forward was thrust into the starting lineup early on with De’Andre Hunter dealing with injuries, and so far, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-quin-snyder-truth-bomb-zaccharie-risacher-year-1-growth">Risacher has performed up to standard</a>. Aside from becoming a stronger on-ball defender, the Hawks will work with the rookie to improve his three-point shooting numbers, as that will be the key to him unlocking who he can become.</p><h2><b>4. Jaylen Wells – Memphis Grizzlies</b></h2><p><i>Stats: 25 games, 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 45.2 FG%, 38.3 3P%</i></p><p>While all the rookie attention for the Grizzlies was cast on Edey, Jaylen Wells has stolen this spotlight. With Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and others dealing with injuries, head coach Taylor Jenkins turned to Wells on the wing in the starting rotation. The rookie second-round pick didn’t blink at this, as he stepped up and delivered some key performances for the Grizzlies, notably scoring 26 points on 6-of-10 shooting from deep on Nov. 23 against the Chicago Bulls. Wells can get hot from the perimeter and he is a strong defender in his own right, which is why he is the underdog in the NBA rookie rankings.</p><h2><b>5. Yves Missi – New Orleans Pelicans</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Yves-Missi-drives-to-the-basket.jpg"><figcaption>Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><i>Stats: 24 games, 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 54.3 FG%</i></p><p>Nothing has gone right for the New Orleans Pelicans to this point. However, Yves Missi has been a bright spot for them at the center position after they let Jonas Valanciunas go in the offseason. Missi is averaging slightly less than a double-double every game, and he trails only Sarr and Clingan for the rookie lead in blocked shots. The rookie big man has stepped up lately, averaging 13.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor in December.</p><h2><b>6. Dalton Knecht – Los Angeles Lakers</b></h2><p><i>Stats: 24 games, 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 46.9 FG%, 39.1 3P%</i></p><p>Early on, it seemed like Dalton Knecht was going to be at the top of the NBA rookie rankings. The Los Angeles Lakers sharpshooter was one of their only consistent sources of scoring production next to Anthony Davis and even putting together a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-dalton-knecht-nba-record-nuclear-half-jazz">massive 37-point performance with nine triples against the Utah Jazz</a> in an NBA Cup group stage game. Knecht has slowed down since his hot streak, seeing his minutes dip slightly as JJ Redick looks to figure out his nightly rotations for the Lakers. Over his last five games, the Lakers rookie is only averaging 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 14.3 percent from three-point range.</p><h2><b>7. Alex Sarr – Washington Wizards</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Victor-Wembanyama-2.jpg"><figcaption>Scott Wachter-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><i>Stats: 20 games, 10.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 38.3 FG%, 25.0 3P%</i></p><p>The Wizards are not good whatsoever. At the same time, they are a young team looking to learn and grow. That is the case with Sarr, as he has shown flashes of his two-way potential with the Wizards. Out of all rookies, Sarr currently ranks second in total rebounds and is tied with Clingan for the lead in blocked shots. He is <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional?PerMode=Totals&amp;dir=A&amp;sort=BLK" rel="noopener">tied for seventh</a> with Clingan and Cleveland Cavaliers star big man Evan Mobley in blocked shots across the league.</p><h2><b>8. Tristan da Silva – Orlando Magic</b></h2><p><i>Stats: 22 games, 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 41.4 FG%, 33.3 3P%</i></p><p>With Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner sidelined due to oblique injuries, there is an opportunity for Tristan da Silva to emerge. After being selected 18th overall by the Orlando Magic, da Silva wasn’t able to crack Jamahl Mosley’s rotation until the start of November. Now, he is a featured part of the Magic’s bench and is contributing in multiple ways as a passer and long-wing defender. If da Silva can become more consistent from three-point range, he will be a key secondary option for Wagner and Banchero to play off of when this team is at full strength.</p><h2><b>9. Zach Edey – Memphis Grizzlies</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Grizzlies-Zach-Edey-receiving-a-pass-.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><i>Stats: 14 games, 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 61.0 FG%, 60.0 3P%</i></p><p>Edey continues to inch closer to a return from an ankle injury that has kept him out the last few weeks. When he was healthy and on the floor for the Grizzlies, Edey played well alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. Aside from creating second-chance scoring opportunities as a primary rebounder, Edey was providing the Grizzlies with yet another rim-protecting threat to help turn them into a top-10 defensive team. Despite only playing in 14 games, Edey still ranks fifth in rebounding out of all rookies.</p><h2><b>10. Ja’Kobe Walter – Toronto Raptors</b></h2><p><i>Stats: 11 games, 7.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 35.7 FG%, 30.0 3P%</i></p><p>Not many people know who Ja’Kobe Walter is. Early in the season, Walter suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder that sidelined him for roughly three weeks. Since returning from this injury, the rookie wing hasn’t been afraid to show his offensive potential and shooting prowess. With his length and shooting abilities, the Toronto Raptors are hopeful that Walter can become an essential part of their core, possibly even replacing OG Anunoby’s spot in due time. Keep an eye on Walter possibly rising up the NBA rookie rankings, especially as the Raptors get him more time on the court.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA Rookie Power Rankings: Jared McCain headlines wide-open race

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-hit-true-test-warning-amid-hot-start');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ Jared McCain hit with ‘true test’ warning amid hot start');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/76ers-Jared-McCain-hit-with-true-test-warning-amid-hot-start.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers’ Jared McCain hit with ‘true test’ warning amid hot start</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-24T11:31:27-08:00">November 24th, 11:31am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-24T11:32:50-08:00">November 24th, 11:32am</time><address><a>Quinn Allen</a>Quinn Allen is a Senior Associate Editor with ClutchPoints. He specializes mainly in soccer, basketball, and baseball. When Quinn isn't producing content for CP,  he's writing sports betting predictions for numerous sites across North America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-philadelphia-needs-to-buck-trend-make-playoffs-after-2-12-start">The Philadelphia 76ers are off to a horrible 3-12 start</a> this season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-joel-embiid-paul-george-explain-next-injury-recovery-steps-amid-continued-absences">with both Paul George and Joel Embiid barely playing so far due to injuries</a>. Because of their absences, others have had to step up, especially rookie Jared McCain and budding star Tyrese Maxey.</p><p>While Maxey’s play is already expected given how well he performed in 2023-24,<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-delivers-five-word-declaration-amid-rookie-of-the-year-bid"> McCain has been a breath of fresh air.</a> He’s started the last five games for the Sixers and has averaged 26.6 points per night during that span. The former Duke standout is taking full advantage of an increased role and has especially thrived from long-range, draining 42.7% of his triples.</p><p>However, one NBA scout who spoke to Marc Stein <a href="https://marcstein.substack.com/p/sunday-best-all-my-latest-from-the-c5f?utm_source=post-email-title&amp;publication_id=392205&amp;post_id=152086116&amp;utm_campaign=email-post-title&amp;isFreemail=false&amp;r=39f60&amp;triedRedirect=true&amp;utm_medium=email" rel="noopener">is curious to see</a> how McCain will do once opposing teams figure out how to defend his strengths:</p><p>“Timing and fit are everything sometimes. He has to play because of the Sixers’ injuries and, like [Tyrese] Maxey in his rookie year, he’s taking advantage of the opportunity. He’s a better shooter and playmaker than many said about [McCain] in college, but a true test is coming. Let’s see how he does once the scouting report on him gets more widely circulated.”</p><p>That will certainly be a test for the 76ers guard. He hasn’t been in the league long enough for opponents to know exactly how to contain him. Overall, McCain is averaging 16.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 15 appearances. Once teams do learn his strengths and weaknesses, it will be interesting to see how McCain adapts to make sure he’s still impacting the game on both ends of the floor.</p><p>Also, if the ex-Blue Devil continues to show out, it’ll be very difficult for 76ers head coach Nick Nurse to decrease his minutes. It could be a good problem to have once PG is healthy.</p><p>Philly is back home on Sunday for a matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ Jared McCain hit with ‘true test’ warning amid hot start

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-tyrese-maxey-jared-mccain-fire-back-at-undersized-backcourt-label');   ga('set', 'title', 'Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain fire back at ‘undersized’ backcourt label');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Tyrese-Maxey-Jared-McCain-fire-back-at-undersized-backcourt-label.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain fire back at ‘undersized’ backcourt label</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-23T08:14:48-08:00">November 23rd, 8:14am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-24T14:12:03-08:00">November 24th, 2:12pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Amid a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-joel-embiid-scooby-doo-treatment-betting-favorite-snitch">challenging start to the season</a>, the Philadelphia 76ers’ backcourt duo of Tyrese Maxey and rookie Jared McCain are addressing concerns about their size and defensive capabilities. Despite the team’s 3-12 record, both guards have delivered standout performances, prompting discussions about their effectiveness together.</p><p>Maxey, standing at 6-foot-2, has been a consistent offensive force, averaging 25.2 points, 3.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 41.5% from the field. When questioned about the perceived disadvantage of their stature, Maxey <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-jared-mccain-tyrese-maxey-guard-tandem-20241123.html" rel="noopener">told</a> the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Who says we are small? I don’t feel like I’m small.”</p><p>McCain, the 16th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has emerged as a significant contributor. Over the past five games as a starter, the 6-foot-3 guard has averaged 26.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, shooting 51.1% from the field and an impressive 48% from three-point range. According to StatsMuse, McCain’s scoring output during this stretch is the most by a rookie since Michael Jordan. Additionally, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-sets-two-new-records-win-over-nets">McCain has set an NBA record</a> by making 24 three-pointers in his first five career starts. Currently, the Rookie of the Year frontrunner is averaging 16.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game, with shooting percentages of 48.4% from the field and 42.7% from beyond the arc.</p><h2>Jared McCain highlights effort as key to addressing 76ers backcourt size concerns</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jared-McCain-20-reacts-to-a-play-against-the-Brooklyn-Nets.jpg"><figcaption>© Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Addressing the skepticism surrounding their defensive capabilities, McCain expanded on why he believes the pairing can succeed.</p><p>“We both play hard,” he told the Inquirer. “I think a lot of the game is just playing hard. At this point, they’re going to try to get the mismatch. They’re going to have an offensive scheme to try to go at us. But as long as we play hard, I think we will be able to hold our own.”</p><p>He added, “That’s something that a lot of people don’t do. And I think we give a lot of effort, give a lot of energy, and I think we can make up for that.”</p><p>The 76ers have faced adversity this season, including injuries to key players such as Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Maxey. Despite these challenges, the team secured a 113-98 <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-biggest-76ers-takeaways-vs-nets-nba-cup">victory over the Brooklyn Nets in their recent NBA Cup matchup</a>, offering a glimmer of hope.</p><p>Looking ahead, the 76ers continue their three-game home stretch with a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers (10-7) on Sunday. The performance of Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain will be pivotal as the team seeks to improve its standing in the Eastern Conference.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain fire back at ‘undersized’ backcourt label

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-delivers-five-word-declaration-amid-rookie-of-the-year-bid');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ Jared McCain delivers five-word declaration amid Rookie of the Year bid');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/76ers-news-Jared-McCain-delivers-five-word-declaration-amid-Rookie-of-the-Year-bid.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers’ Jared McCain delivers five-word declaration amid Rookie of the Year bid</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-22T21:19:15-08:00">November 22nd, 9:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-22T22:11:47-08:00">November 22nd, 10:11pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The only saving grace of the Philadelphia 76ers’ nightmare start to the 2024-25 season has been the stellar play of rookie point guard Jared McCain. McCain has strung together quite a nice stretch; heading into their Friday night NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets, the 20-year-old guard has scored 20 or more points in six consecutive games. And it is simply going swimmingly for the 16th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, as he had <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-sets-two-new-records-win-over-nets">another stellar outing in the 76ers’</a> much-needed 113-98 win over the Nets.</p><p>McCain, once again, looked like the 76ers’ best player on the night, even with Tyrese Maxey lining up alongside him in the backcourt. The Duke product scored 30 points on an efficient 11-20 shooting from the field, and he added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals — adding even more fuel to the hype train surrounding him amid this torrid stretch.</p><p>Ever the confident player, McCain is reaching an all-time high in his confidence level — as he has his eyes set on taking home the Rookie of the Year award, <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1860149229173289041" rel="noopener">emphatically declaring as such</a> after nailing a triple late in the 76ers’ win.</p><p>“I’m the rookie of the year!” McCain exclaimed.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'M THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR!"</p><p>—Jared McCain 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/ezzlIDg4Q9">pic.twitter.com/ezzlIDg4Q9</a></p><p>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1860149229173289041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>At this point, it’s difficult to argue otherwise. McCain has been phenomenal ever since the 76ers gave him a bigger role, and there is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-new-starting-lineup-must-feature-jared-mccain">no taking his starting spot back</a> even when the team’s veteran stars return. There may have been a lot of talk that the 2024 NBA Draft class was one of the worst in recent memory, but McCain is dispelling that notion with each passing game.</p><p>With Joel Embiid and Paul George <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-is-joel-embiid-playing-vs-nets-latest-nba-cup-injury-update">both nursing knee injuries</a>, McCain will have to keep this train rolling if the 76ers were to somehow return to the playoff picture. And given how well McCain has answered the call, he has done more than enough to earn the benefit of the doubt.</p><h2><b>Who is 76ers rookie Jared McCain’s biggest competition for the award?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24826826_168403981_lowres.jpg"></figure><p>Jared McCain, indeed, should be the favorite to take home the Rookie of the Year award for this season. After all, the 76ers rookie doesn’t have much competition anyway.</p><p>McCain’s closest competitor for the award should be Dalton Knecht, who, much like McCain, has earned a starting spot on his team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Stephon Castle should also be up there now that he’s also consistently stringing together good games for the San Antonio Spurs. But if the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-how-jared-mccain-overtaken-rookie-of-year-odds">76ers rookie keeps this up</a>, he could be in line to be the seventh player in NBA history to win the ROTY award unanimously.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ Jared McCain delivers five-word declaration amid Rookie of the Year bid

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-sets-two-new-records-win-over-nets');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ Jared McCain sets two new records in win over Nets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/76ers-news-Jared-McCain-sets-two-major-records-vs-the-Nets.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers’ Jared McCain sets two new records in win over Nets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-22T18:57:47-08:00">November 22nd, 6:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-22T18:57:47-08:00">November 22nd, 6:57pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Philadelphia 76ers prepared to take the court against the Brooklyn Nets in what unfortunately felt like a must-win game, fans collectively asked more or less the same question: what kind of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-pulls-off-feat-unheard-franchise-history">magical feat would Jared McCain pull off next</a>?</p><p>Riding high on a seven-game streak with at least 20 points scored, would the pride of Duke put in work alongside <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-new-starting-lineup-must-feature-jared-mccain">the superstar tandem of Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey</a>? Or would the team really look like they missed Paul George, who is expected to miss the next few days as he recovers from a knee injury?</p><p>Well, as it turns out, McCain would make not one but two new records, one for the 76ers franchise and another for the NBA as a whole, with his <a href="https://x.com/SixersStats/status/1860124448806129835" rel="noopener">eighth-straight game with at least three made 3s</a>.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jared-McCain-shooting-against-the-Nets.jpg"><figcaption>Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h2><b>Jared McCain makes all kinds of history against the Nets</b></h2><p>As the 76ers duked it out against their division rivals, Philadelphia’s official stats X account shared all of McCain’s mastery, including the fact that he has the longest three-plus made 3-point shooting streak in franchise history.</p><p>As if that wasn’t enough, McCain also made NBA history with his eighth-straight game with three 3s or more, which is a record only two other players have come close to since the line was introduced in 1979.</p><p>Leading all 76ers in shots from the field and beyond the arc, McCain turned in a signature effort as the 76ers’ offensive engine, scoring 30 points in 39 minutes on 11-20 shooting from the field and 6-11 shooting from beyond the arc while padding out his stats with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Granted, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401703396" rel="noopener">he did have the lowest +/-</a> of any of the Sixers’ starters at +8, had a team-high three turnovers, and missed his first free throw as a pro. But if those nitpicks are all fans have to complain about in a 15-point win, it’s safe to assume McCain and his TikTok followers will take it.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ Jared McCain sets two new records in win over Nets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-new-starting-lineup-must-feature-jared-mccain');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ new starting lineup must feature Jared McCain');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/76ers-new-starting-lineup-must-feature-Jared-McCain.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers’ new starting lineup must feature Jared McCain</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-22T08:24:39-08:00">November 22nd, 8:24am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-22T17:12:38-08:00">November 22nd, 5:12pm</time><address><a>Sam DiGiovanni</a>Sam DiGiovanni started at ClutchPoints as an associate editor in 2021 and became the site's Philadelphia 76ers beat reporter ahead of the 2022-23 season. He graduated from Marist College in May of 2022 and has written for TheKnicksWall.com and CenterFieldMarist.com in the past.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In the middle of the Philadelphia 76ers’ storm of injuries and losses, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-enters-victor-wembanyama-territory-with-impressive-feat">Jared McCain’s historic production</a> has been a radiant bright spot.</p><p>McCain has become a front-runner in the Rookie of the Year race, racking up high-scoring games better than any of his peers and displaying a veteran-like feel for the game. He’s emerging as a high-level player using traits that he can bring night in and night out. This is more than just a great player shooting the ball well. It’s a player who puts himself in positions to succeed and fighting tooth and nail each and every play.</p><p>Coming into the season, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Caleb Martin were the assumed starters next to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. They have indeed started plenty of games but neither has had the most impressive start to the season. Even with the possibility of a midseason trade to add another starter, the Sixers need to maximize their first five.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-biggest-76ers-takeaways-from-first-game-with-big-3-vs-grizzlies">Sixers made McCain a starter</a> with their three stars out and kept him in when they all returned. There’s no reason whatsoever to change that.</p><h2><b>Jared McCain must remain a starter for 76ers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jared-McCain-drives-to-the-basket.jpg"><figcaption>© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>McCain ranks 23rd in points per 100 possessions (among qualified players) at 34.2, putting him above 2024 All-Stars LeBron James, Devin Booker, Jaylen Brown, Trae Young, Damian Lillard and Julius Randle, plus other stars like Darius Garland, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Alperen Sengun and Jalen Williams. He’s got the ninth-longest <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/RLgZA" rel="noopener">active streak of 20-point games</a> and his efficiency is just as good as the stars around him on that list.</p><p>The 76ers are significantly better on offense when McCain is on the court — <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/2025/on-off/" rel="noopener">6.1 points per 100 possessions better</a>, according to on-off data from Basketball-Reference. They score more often and more efficiently while tallying more assists and playing at a faster pace. They even rebound better on both sides of the ball. The rookie can elevate players around him and give Maxey a backcourt partner that elevates his game, which he hasn’t had since James Harden skipped town.</p><p>The main concern about starting McCain is his defense next to Maxey’s. Can a duo that small hold up well enough to make the boost on offense worth it? Yes — because of how high they can set their ceiling on offense.</p><p>The idea of starting a strong defender next to Maxey comes from the expectation that he would have a huge burden to carry on offense. However, McCain can lighten that burden, both by doing some of the creation himself and by giving Maxey a fearsome off-ball weapon. Defenders are learning the hard way that they can’t leave McCain unattended behind the arc, which will make it easier for Maxey to drive or move the ball if he draws the help.</p><p>Maxey has the talent to be a dominant force away from the ball, too, so giving him some of those easier reps will benefit him greatly. McCain reads the floor really well and he would also benefit from playing next to such a lethal scoring threat. He does a great job of moving to spots where defenses are the most vulnerable, so who better to have out there with him than a stellar catch-and-shoot threat?</p><figure><video><source src="https://videos.nba.com/nba/pbp/media/2024/10/30/0022400120/325/4d3d0246-2306-7ef5-1997-2de3b19580d5_1280x720.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"></source></video></figure><p>Oh yeah, there’s also the Embiid component to all of this. He’s shown how his talents and that of a dynamic scorer can wreck defenses, so imagining giving him two. And if George can revert back to being the shooter he’s been for the last decade, watch out.</p><p>Neither Maxey nor McCain is a particularly great defender in a vacuum. However, both have shown flashes, with Maxey able to get into ball-handlers with his long arms and foot quickness and McCain able to stand up bigger opponents because of his strength. They simply need to avoid being a disaster on defense for the offense to make up for it. This will be especially important with Embiid still getting back into shape but having him as a safety blanket still helps them a lot.</p><p>Plus, while the Maxey and McCain tandem is not an ideal defensive backcourt, no other backcourt partner for Maxey stands out as a great defensive complement. Every other option is flawed in some way and none offers the upside on offense the rookie does.</p><h2><b>Who should McCain start over?</b></h2><p>The 76ers moved Oubre to the bench in favor of McCain whey they got their stars back. That’s the way it should be moving forward.</p><p>Oubre’s athleticism is useful for making plays around the rim, either as a cutter on offense or a shot-blocker/rebounder on defense. But his poor on-ball defense, infrequent playmaking and inefficient three-point shooting limit his impact. He can do more with less responsibility and, as he showed earlier in the season when the Sixers were devoid of creators, doing more results in way less.</p><p>With McCain taking the backcourt spot around the star trio, the four spot remains up for discussion. It wouldn’t be surprising if the option come playoff time is a midseason addition but for now, Martin and Guerschon Yabusele are the top two candidates.</p><p>Martin’s poor shooting has cooled the hype Sixers fans had for him but he still provides value as a passer, defender and shooting-foul earner (even though his efficiency from the stripe is below his usual standard and his current free-throw rate may be an outlier). If he can even get back to how he shot the last two seasons — 35.3 percent on 3.5 attempts per game — he can be enough of a shooting threat to play 30ish minutes per game night in and night out.</p><p>Yabusele seems like a great option — he can defend bigger forwards, shoot threes of the catch, score in the paint and keep the ball moving — but starting him might make it harder to use him as a backup center. Unless Andre Drummond’s season turns around or Adem Bona is further developed than previously anticipated, Yabusele will be needed at center when Embiid rests. Even if he’s needed more for the bench, he must get minutes at the four with the other starters.</p><p>The 76ers need to play McCain as much as they can. Although they don’t want to overwhelm him, he’s had to deal with a lot of team adversity to begin his NBA career and doesn’t seem fazed by it at all. The size of the dogs in the fight may be smaller in the Sixers’ backcourt than in other teams, but the size of the fight in those dogs stands as tall as any other.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ new starting lineup must feature Jared McCain

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-paul-george-honest-jared-mccain-admission');   ga('set', 'title', 'Paul George drops honest Jared McCain admission');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Paul-George-drops-honest-Jared-McCain-admission.jpg"></figure><h1>Paul George drops honest Jared McCain admission</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-21T17:52:01-08:00">November 21st, 5:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-21T19:16:24-08:00">November 21st, 7:16pm</time><address><a>Nathan Yasis</a>Nathan Yasis is an Associate Editor for ClutchPoints, specializing in the NBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Joel Embiid, Paul George, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-philadelphia-needs-to-buck-trend-make-playoffs-after-2-12-start">the Philadelphia 76ers are enduring their third-worst start</a> since the dawn of The Process era. Rookie Jared McCain has surprisingly been the team’s most reliable performer so far, but the Sixers continue to squander prime opportunities to turn their season around.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1859716515857371575" rel="noopener">a recent episode of</a> Podcast P presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, Paul George mentioned McCain’s consistency and the level of energy he brings to the team.</p><h2><b>Jared McCain’s consistency with the Philadelphia 76ers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jared-McCain-with-the-76ers.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>“Jared’s been awesome, he just plays with such a swag. He knows he belongs, it don’t matter who’s on the floor, he knows he belongs and he plays like it. To be quite frank, he’s been our most consistent player on the team so far,” said the newly acquired 76ers forward.</p><p>“Rookie of the year?” George’s co host chimed in.</p><p>“He should be a candidate. We definitely got to step our s*** up. He can’t be our most consistent player. We all gotta step our s*** up and match that energy. He’s got a great future,” George continued.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">“Jared’s been awesome… He’s been our most consistent player on our team so far… We definitely gotta step our sh*t up because he can’t be our most consistent player.”</p><p>Paul George with some high praise for Sixers rookie Jared McCain 🙌</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/PodcastPShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PodcastPShow</a>)<a href="https://t.co/lcpKc1QiIl">pic.twitter.com/lcpKc1QiIl</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1859716515857371575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>76ers underwhelming performance against the Grizzlies</b></h2><p>Unsurprisingly, the 76ers delivered another underwhelming performance. Despite holding a players-only meeting aimed at sparking a turnaround, the team stumbled on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies, suffering their 12th loss of the season.</p><p>For the first time this season, the Philadelphia 76ers rolled out a starting lineup that included Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and standout rookie Jared McCain. With such a strong group, they appeared poised to dominate a Memphis Grizzlies team playing without Ja Morant. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected.</p><p>The Grizzlies built a double-digit lead in the second quarter, leaving the Philadelphia 76ers scrambling to catch up. Their struggles were compounded by a lackluster effort on perimeter defense, which hindered any comeback attempts.</p><p>To make matters worse, an all-too-familiar setback struck just 17 minutes into the game—<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-paul-george-critical-knee-injury-update-amid-recent-scare">Paul George re-aggravated his knee injury</a>, the same one he hyperextended a month ago, sidelining him for several games earlier in the season.</p><h2><b>Silver lining in the 76ers’s abysmal season</b></h2><p>Philadelphia rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-pulls-off-feat-unheard-franchise-history">Jared McCain has been a rare bright spot</a> for the struggling 76ers. Chosen 16th overall in the 2024 draft, McCain has delivered impressive performances, scoring 20 or more points in six straight games. His 20-point outing against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday further solidified his reputation, making him an early contender for Rookie of the Year recognition.</p><p>McCain’s performance has been nothing short of remarkable. Since earning a spot in the starting lineup, he’s averaged an impressive 25.8 points and 5.8 assists over 36.6 minutes per game while maintaining efficient shooting splits of 50 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.</p><p>The 20-year-old will need to keep stepping up for the 76ers as the season progresses. So far, he has been the team’s most dependable player, and it seems his contributions will remain crucial until the Sixers can find better synergy with their Big Three of Embiid, Maxey, and George.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Paul George drops honest Jared McCain admission

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba-2k25-player-ratings-update-jared-mccain-dalton-knecht-zach-edey');   ga('set', 'title', 'NBA 2K25 player ratings update: Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, & Zach Edey impress as rookies');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-2K25-player-ratings-update-Jared-McCain-Dalton-Knecht-Zach-Edey-impress-as-rookies-cover.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>NBA 2K25 player ratings update: Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, &amp; Zach Edey impress as rookies</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-21T14:33:37-08:00">November 21st, 2:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-21T19:13:31-08:00">November 21st, 7:13pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Gaming</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The latest NBA 2K25 player ratings update <a href="https://nba.2k.com/2k25/ratings/#central" rel="noopener">highlights</a> exceptional performances from both established stars and emerging talents. While boosts for players like Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Karl-Anthony Towns have garnered attention, the update also shines a spotlight on rookies making an immediate impact. Rookies Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, Zach Edey, and Zaccharie Risacher have all seen significant jumps in their ratings, reflecting their early-season success and promising contributions to their respective teams.</p><h2><b>Jared McCain jumps to an 83 overall in NBA 2K25’s latest update</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-2K25-player-ratings-update-Jared-McCain-Dalton-Knecht-Zach-Edey-impress-as-rookies-CARD1.jpg"></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-jared-mccain-pulls-off-feat-unheard-franchise-history">Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain has been a standout</a>, earning a notable 10-point increase to an 83 overall. Selected with the 16th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, McCain has become a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 2-12 start for the 76ers. With Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey sidelined for multiple games, McCain has stepped up as a primary scoring option.</p><p>McCain is averaging 15.6 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 41% from three-point range. His scoring consistency includes five consecutive 20-point performances, highlighted by a 34-point, 10-assist outing in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. These strong showings have propelled him into the Rookie of the Year conversation and earned him a significant ratings boost in NBA 2K25.</p><h2><b>Dalton Knecht climbs to an 80 overall</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-2K25-player-ratings-update-Jared-McCain-Dalton-Knecht-Zach-Edey-impress-as-rookies-CARD2.jpg"></figure><p>Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has seen his player rating increase by seven points to an 80 overall. The Los Angeles Lakers rookie has made a significant impact, recently tying the NBA rookie record for three-pointers made in a game with nine. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-dalton-knechts-nba-rookie-year-odds-surge-37-point-game">Knecht scored a career-high 37 points in the Lakers’ NBA Cup victory</a> over the Utah Jazz.</p><p>Head coach JJ Redick has integrated Knecht into the starting lineup in the absence of Rui Hachimura, and the move has paid dividends. Over the last four games, Knecht is averaging 24.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting a staggering 67.3% from the field and 67.7% from three-point range. The Lakers, currently on a six-game winning streak with a 10-4 record, are the third seed in the Western Conference, with Knecht playing a key role in their resurgence.</p><p><i><b>Be sure to check out the full list of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-2k25-player-ratings-update-nikola-jokic-lebron-james-karl-anthony-towns">NBA 2K25 player ratings from the late-November update</a>, featuring all the latest changes and adjustments that reflect players’ performances so far this season.</b></i></p><h2><b>Zach Edey rises to a 79 overall</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-2K25-player-ratings-update-Jared-McCain-Dalton-Knecht-Zach-Edey-impress-as-rookies-CARD4.jpg"></figure><p>Memphis Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey, selected ninth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, has earned a two-point increase to a 79 overall. Edey has been a reliable contributor, starting nine of the team’s 14 games and averaging 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and one block per game while shooting 61% from the field.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-zach-edey-nba-history-unreal-stat-line-vs-nets">Edey’s best performance came in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets</a>, where he recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks while shooting an impressive 11-for-12 from the field, including a rare three-pointer. The Grizzlies sit at 9-7, holding the eighth seed in the Western Conference, with Edey establishing himself as a key part of their rotation.</p><h2><b>Zaccharie Risacher moves to a 78 overall</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/NBA-2K25-player-ratings-update-Jared-McCain-Dalton-Knecht-Zach-Edey-impress-as-rookies-CARD3.jpg"></figure><p>The top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Zaccharie Risacher, has risen to a 78 overall in NBA 2K25. Playing for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-zaccharie-risacher-joins-impressive-company-breakout-game-vs-knicks">Atlanta Hawks, Risacher has shown glimpses of his immense potential</a>, including a career-high 33-point, seven-rebound, three-assist, three-steal, and two-block performance in a win over the New York Knicks.</p><p>So far this season, Risacher is averaging 12 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 38.6% from the field. The Hawks, currently 7-9, are seventh in the Eastern Conference as they navigate a rebuilding phase with Risacher as their centerpiece.</p><h2><b>Recognition for rising stars in latest NBA 2K25 player ratings</b></h2><p>This NBA 2K25 update celebrates the league’s top rookies, rewarding their impactful contributions with significant boosts in their ratings. As the season progresses, rookies like Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, Zach Edey, and Zaccharie Risacher continue to solidify their places in the league, making their mark on their respective teams and the NBA as a whole.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NBA 2K25 player ratings update: Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, & Zach Edey impress as rookies

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-jared-mccain-pulls-off-feat-unheard-franchise-history');   ga('set', 'title', '76ers’ Jared McCain pulls off feat unheard of in franchise history');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/76ers-news-Jared-McCain-pulls-off-feat-no-one-heard-of-before-in-franchise-history.jpg"></figure><h1>76ers’ Jared McCain pulls off feat unheard of in franchise history</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-18T20:36:59-08:00">November 18th, 8:36pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-18T20:36:59-08:00">November 18th, 8:36pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-fans-celebrate-jared-mccains-emergence-despite-loss-to-magic" rel="noopener">Jared McCain is a transcendent talent</a> for the Philadelphia 76ers.</p><p>How can you tell? Well, because McCain is so good that fans continue to tune in to watch his team take the court night after night despite an absolutely embarrassing 2-11 start to the season.</p><p>Now, sure, <i>technically</i>, the Sixers have never had all of their top players on the court together this season. Joel Embiid was out, Paul George was out, and Tyrese Maxey is currently out, too, but through it all, the team has found new ways to look bad, which, nearly 20 percent of the way through the season, is becoming more and more impressive to do.</p><p>In McCain, however, 76ers fans have a shining light to look to in the face of an uncertain present, especially while he’s producing at a level that no rookie has ever done as a member of the organization.</p><p>You see, through his first three starts as a member of the 76ers, McCain <a href="https://twitter.com/StatMamba/status/1858706693816799472" rel="noopener">has scored at least 20 points</a>, which is a line no one, not even “The Process” himself, Joel Embiid,  has accomplished. McCain has hit 53.5 percent of his shots from the field, 40.3 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, and 100 percent of his free throws on the year, all the <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mccaija01.html" rel="noopener">while averaging 15.8 points per game</a>.</p><p>If the 76ers weren’t expected to be one of the best teams in the NBA, watching McCain transform from pick 16<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-how-jared-mccain-overtaken-rookie-of-year-odds"> into a Rookie of the Year favorite</a> before fans’ eyes would be incredibly exciting. While it still is, the experience of McCain putting up 20 only for his team to lose by 20 is increasingly becoming a tough pill to swallow, as his success isn’t leading to much of anything in the wins collum, despite his best efforts.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jared-McCain-playing-for-the-76ers.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Navarro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h2><b>Kyle Lowry explains the emergence of Jared McCain</b></h2><p>So how, you may wonder, has McCain gone from a player unworthy of being selected in the lottery to a guard who will almost certainly start even when Maxey returns from injury? Well, Kyle Lowry weighed in on the situation while the Sixers were in Orlando, including <a href="https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/sixers/2024/11/15/kyle-lowry-gives-thoughts-on-sixers-rookie-jared-mccains-progression/76332242007/" rel="noopener">his scouting report</a> of the young Duke product.</p><p>“There’s been a lot of rookies that I’ve played with. I think the one thing he’s been so great at is just playing his game and being confident in what he’s doing. I think we need that right now. I think we need that extra pop. We need that extra energy, so it’s been really good for us to have a guy who’s coming in as a young guy giving us that energy and that confidence that he’s playing with right now, so it’s pretty good. It’s pretty cool to watch,” Lowry told reporters via Sixerswire.</p><p>“It’s a different time, so it’s a different place, but he’s taking full advantage of his opportunity, which is how you get better in this league. You take advantage of your opportunities. You play confidently, and that’s what he’s doing.” “I just talk to him throughout the game. I give him his space. He’s playing fantastic. I give him little tidbits I see from here and there, but he’s just making the right basketball plays right now. He’s making the right reads, and that’s all you can ask for.”</p><p>You know, you have to give Lowry credit; his evaluation is dead-on. McCain brings space, pace, and basketball IQ to the court for the 76ers, which instantly makes him a plug-and-play guard who can more or less play alongside anyone due to his very complementary skill set. If McCain can continue to look like a star in a starting five that also features All-Stars like Maxey, George, and Embiid, the 76ers really might be able to right this ship and get things back on track after all; you know, just like how Daryl Morey drew it up during the offseason, right?</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

76ers’ Jared McCain pulls off feat unheard of in franchise history

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-fans-celebrate-jared-mccains-emergence-despite-loss-to-magic');   ga('set', 'title', 'Fans celebrate Jared McCain’s emergence despite 76ers loss to Magic');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/76ers-news-Fans-celebrate-Jared-McCains-emergence-despite-loss-to-Magic.jpg"></figure><h1>Fans celebrate Jared McCain’s emergence despite 76ers loss to Magic</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-15T20:49:18-08:00">November 15th, 8:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-15T20:55:14-08:00">November 15th, 8:55pm</time><address><a>Matty Breisch</a>Matty Breisch is a multifaceted writer who specializes in NFL and WWE content at ClutchPoints. He can be read at Heavy, FanSided, Philadelphia Sports Network, and right here at ClutchPoints. Are you ready to read about football and wrestling? Well, you've come to the right place.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Philadelphia 76ers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Let me know if you’ve heard this story before, Philadelphia 76ers fans: <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-biggest-76ers-takeaways-vs-magic-nba-cup">Jared McCain turned in a fantastic effort</a> typically reserved for veteran NBA players only to<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-biggest-76ers-takeaways-from-matchup-vs-cavs-without-big-3" rel="noopener"> watch his team take a loss</a> when the clock hit quadruple zeros.</p><p>Unfortunately, this is becoming something of a trend for Philly’s finest, with only a two-point win over the Charlotte Hornets keeping the team’s losing streak from spreading nine games. What’s also becoming a trend is the effective play of McCain, who has recorded at least 23 points in the last four games, including a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-how-jared-mccain-overtaken-rookie-of-year-odds">career-high of 34 points in 38 minutes of action</a> in a 114-106 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.</p><p>What gives? How are the Sixers still so bad when they have a rookie guard playing like a ten-year vet and a former MVP back on the court in Joel Embiid, even if he’s still on a minutes restriction? Is it the absence of Tyrese Maxey, who is the team’s leading scorer in 2024? Or maybe the coaching of Nick Nurse, which has been disappointing versus expectations?</p><p>That evaluation lies in the eyes of the beholder, but one thing is for sure: McCain’s play has 76ers fans as happy as the team’s overall record has them cheesed off.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Jared-McCain-playing-against-the-Magic.jpg"><figcaption>Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h2><b>Fans have mixed feelings on Jared McCain’s Philadelphia 76ers</b></h2><p>Taking to social media to celebrate McCain for his on-field excellence, fans immediately started sharing highlights of the Duke rookie scoring on Jonathan Isaac, who is not only 6-foot-10 but also widely considered one of the best defenders in the NBA.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nothing to see here, just Jared McCain scoring on one of the best defenders in the world <a href="https://t.co/kWxVj8DiEC">pic.twitter.com/kWxVj8DiEC</a></p><p>— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/dan_olinger/status/1857592601643229395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Despite his size, McCain is a savvy basketball technician with a deep bag of tricks and an eye for finding the opening. He’s also incredibly smart about getting open looks, to the point where, after he dumped the ball out to an open Paul George, he found an open spot and drained an uncontested 3 that needs to be seen to be believed.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jared McCain is your favorite player’s favorite player <br> <a href="https://t.co/HagwrxduwG">pic.twitter.com/HagwrxduwG</a></p><p>— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) <a href="https://twitter.com/AidanLaPorta69/status/1857599786204946696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Gosh, how did McCain fall to the 76ers in the draft at pick 16? Did other teams not believe that his shot would translate? Or did they instead prioritize bigger players, as the 76ers may end up starting two players standing 6-foot-2 when Maxey returns? Well, one of The Athletic’s draft guys, Senior Writer Sam Vecenie, discussed just that, noting that he, a certified McCain lover, might not have even <a href="https://x.com/Sam_Vecenie/status/1857621785262567601" rel="noopener">given him enough love</a>.</p><p>“I loved Jared McCain pre-draft, and I still don’t think I loved him enough,” Vecenie wrote on social media. “The offense is sick. Such a sharp player. The relocation stuff as a shooter is something I knew he was great at, and I still probably underrated how good he was at it. Just an awesome processor on-court.”</p><p>And as for the evaluation of the 76ers as a whole? Well, this <a href="https://x.com/Derek9306/status/1857617231271575741" rel="noopener">retweet pretty much sums it up</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Sixers have played some of the ugliest, unenergized, and pathetic basketball over these first 12 games</p><p>The worst part is, there’s zero signs of it getting any better <a href="https://t.co/CASNq8mDOo">https://t.co/CASNq8mDOo</a></p><p>— Phuckin Fightins (@Derek9306) <a href="https://twitter.com/Derek9306/status/1857617231271575741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>On one hand, the 76ers have found two legitimate playoff rotation-caliber performers in McCain and Guerschon Yabusele, who very well may end up starting by the end of the regular season. They still have draft picks to trade, contracts that can be moved – shout out to KJ Martin – and enough urgency to make a deal where a team that fully owned their draft pick may opt to sell and reload for next season.</p><p>With that being said, are we even sure the 76ers will make the playoffs? Granted, they probably will, as there’s no way there are ten other better teams in the Easter Conference, but if they continue to lose, will this turn into a repeat of 2023-24, when they couldn’t make it out of the first round? Keep an eye on this one, folks, as it’s anyone’s guess how things will shake out.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
15.3	2.4	2.6	-	0.7

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
15.3	2.4	2.6	-	0.7

Jared McCain news

Jared
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