Why Jared McCain is excited about the ‘crazy’ atmosphere in OKC

In front Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCainDebuting Saturday against the Houston Rockets, the second-year guard is eager to play for his new fan base. Doc it was an emotional 48 hours for McCainwhose trade from the Philly 76ers came as a surprise, he said, as he met with Thunder media for the first time before Friday’s practice.

However, McCain, who attended Game 1 of last year’s NBA Finals between the Thunder and Indiana Pacers at the Pike Center as an NBA rookie correspondent, is excited to be on the receiving end of Oklahoma City. riotous crowd.

“It was crazy. That was crazy,” McCain said. “I was with my friends during that time. We were sitting in the crowd. It was a crazy atmosphere – one of the biggest I’ve been in, for sure.

“Every player ever wants that – that crowd. You dream about it. You think about it when you’re playing, you’re practicing by yourself or when you’re counting down in your head. And when the reaction of the crowd fills the stands, chanting the team’s name, it’s the best feeling. So I’m definitely excited.”

With the new player joining the defending champion Thunder, McCain admits, he’s very excited to do whatever coach Mark Dayno asks of him.

“Whatever coach has planned for me, I’m ready to do,” added McCain. “It could be a spot-up shoot; whatever it is, I’m willing to do it. I’m just happy to be a part of this culture and this program.”

How the Thunder had eyes on Jared McCain since 2024

Coach Marc Daigneault revealed Thunder interest in Jared McCain ahead of 2024 draft. Ahead of McCain’s first media showdown since the trade, Dayno spoke about his sophomore guard liaison.

“Jared is a really good kid. We spent a lot of time with him in the drafting process. Our scouts liked him then and continue to like him in his NBA career,” Daigneault said. “So he’s always been someone that Sam (Presti) and the rest of that group have had their eye on. And we think he fits in really well with the group. First of all, with a team like ours that’s been successful and also had a lot of continuity — that’s really important to Sam.

“He certainly expressed that to us; bring in people who can sing our song. We think he’s cut from that cloth. That encourages us, and now it’s just a matter of integrating him in a very organic way. Not trying to force anything. But also, to give him a chance to strengthen the team. He’s also not there to be a bystander, but it still looks like that, but we have to see. Excited to add him,” Daigneault concluded.

The Thunder selected Nikola Topic with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft before the 76ers selected McCain with the 16th pick.