Philadelphia 76ers Postgame Media Availability 🎙️ | Jared McCain | 12.02.25

Jared, it seemed like this was probably your most successful game in terms of beating guys off the dribble. I guess where do you feel like your first step is at right now? I guess especially compared to where it might have been when you started playing this season. Yeah, I mean I feel I feel like I’m back to myself. Um, you know, I think just continuing those reps, the same stuff, but uh this game definitely felt good to beat people off dribble. Um, I remember in the beginning when it when I first came back and I was like, “Dang, am I ever going to get this this burst back at all?” But, u, you know, just trusting the process and and now I’m here. And so, I’m I’m grateful that that I’m able to have that first step still. Was there a moment that like whether it was in a game or in a practice where that first step worked the way that you wanted to and you’re like, “Oh, it is back.” It was mostly that um that one like that same that same foot stop. I forget what game it was, but same foot stop um three I took and it was with the left foot and I lunged forward with it. That was when I kind of felt like oh that that’s I got I had the balance right had everything felt felt great. So that was the one probably there any more bursts you think in the recovery pro or you kind of feel like you’re you know I think there’s a little bit of swelling but like it’s nothing like it’s not it’s kind of just getting used to playing with it. Um but as of now I feel I feel great. I feel fine and um now it’s just getting rhythm and just winning games. You were able you were able to get some minutes with VJ like with no Tyrese and Quinn on the floor with you I guess. How did that feel and what is the next steps for chemistry with with you and VJ? Oh yeah, it’s fire. I mean I love playing with VJ good great energy. Um yeah, being able to have a back court, you know, being able to give Reese some minutes on the bench while he’s while he’s giving some rest. Uh I think it’ll be great. So me and VJ back there, um it’s fun playing with them. I mean, you see it. It’s he’s exciting. Yeah, you mentioned giving Reese some some minutes on the bench. like how much as you guys get healthier do you feel some like collective responsibility like okay let’s make sure this dude doesn’t play 52 minutes for sure like we can’t we can’t be having that so uh when we come out a lot of times it’s just like all right let’s let’s get re some rest man even when we come to the bench like he goes straight to sit down you know give him his time to breathe and and rest so um definitely responsibility you know me VJ all the guards take and um something that we we got to help him with you took the league by storm as a rookie last season um [Laughter] And you know this season you do some adjusting I guess. Where do you feel like defenses have have game planned for you the most? Um I think I think just knowing that like knowing certain moves I like to do. You know I’ve done the same moves since high school. I think it’s just more like uh my strength and and being able to get by guys and use that strength. It’s um basically the same thing though. So, um I think they definitely have game plan and and they they know what I can do, but I try and just it’s hard to stop when you get a a wide open catch and shoot three or being able to to shoot. They’re able to close that on you. You can make a move by them. So, a lot of it is just using your IQ and just being able to to play basketball. Where have you seen Tyrese’s game changed the most? It’s not like he wasn’t a good player last year, but obviously he’s taken another lead this season. Yeah, I think um I think his leadership has taken the biggest jump. Um, a lot of it, uh, I feel like when you’re playing and you’re the when you’re a great player like he is, when you’re able to like not not focus so much on yourself and being able to lead us and focus a lot of energy on us, I think your game can get better. And so, um, I’ve noticed that just being able to he gives us energy and that allows him to to be better offensively, defensively, all of it. So, I think, um, just the leadership has helped a lot and helped the rest of the team. Jiren, off topic of tonight’s game, you’re making the rounds in Philly College basketball with Drexler and last night Villanovavva. Two things at Villanova. What was the story? I’m guessing was Baker maybe invited you, but what was the story why you went and what was your impression of the game last night? Yeah. No, it was great. My um not my blood cousin, but I grew up with him. Deon Ascu plays on Villain Nova, so that’s like that’s family. And so just going to see him play. Um and then not I wasn’t there for Drexel, I was there for Penn, so but I was at Drexel. Um but yeah, I think that it was a great game to go to. You know, it’s it’s nice to um when they show me on the screen, it’s nice to get love. It’s always nice to feel that way. Um but no, it was really fun just to get out of the house and do something for once. We don’t really I don’t really do too much. So, it was nice to see something else. Jari is had a double double tonight. Just what type of impact do you feel when when he’s on on the floor with you? Man, he’s just tenacious, if that’s a good word to describe it. Um he’s just relentless, you know, on the boards. He’s able to um box people out and and finish at the rim. Even that nice move he had with the behind the back counter, I haven’t seen that out of him, so that was nice. Uh but yeah, he’s just a great energy person on on the court, off the court. Um we actually just got our handshake down, so it’s nice. This should look out for it next game. How much practice has gone into it? Well, I saw a Tik Tok of it and I sent it to him and then we were practicing before the game today. We had to make sure it was right and then we got it down. How many guys do you have handshakes with as I got a lot now? You know, I feel like Bron sometimes Braun has a handshake with everybody. Um yeah, I think there’s only a few I don’t have a handshake with. I think Q I got to get a handshake with. Um yeah, there’s a few, but I got a lot. Which teammate has the worst reaction to you getting a to you texting them a Tik Tok? Say that again. Which teammate has the worst reaction to you texting them Tik Tok? Uh I don’t you know I don’t text them that many Tik Tok. I don’t text any I don’t text anybody Tik Toks actually. I think I’ve sent one to the group chat before. They’ve sent me more actually probably. I think PG sent the last one. I think he sent the the meme when I did the two and a half pound the arm when I was when I was when I was benching. I was not benching but whatever I was doing. Um but no, they’re good. They’re they’re fine. I got to send Joel some Tik Toks recently. Tonight was the 20th game, so that’s about a quarter of the way through. What are your thoughts on how everything’s going for the team so far? Yeah, I mean I think we’re finding it uh finding a rhythm. Just trying to with with guys out, guys in just trying to figure out what’s going on with the team. Um but it’s great. You know, I think we have a great chemistry as a whole and u you know, for myself, I’m just trying to make it make it past that that 23rd game, I think. But since I missed a few, I got a few games extra to go go past it. Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate you guys.

Jared McCain speaks to the media following a win over the Washington Wizards.

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