It’s been a tale of two very different experiences for the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs so far. The 76ers have fought hard to stay alive, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the first round before falling behind 0-2 to the New York Knicks in the second round.
The Thunder, meanwhile, have cruised through their matchups. Through six playoff games, Oklahoma City is undefeated and are a major threat to repeat as champions.
Midseason acquisition Jared McCain has played a significant role in the team’s success, particularly against the Los Angeles Lakers. Following a strong Game 1 performance, in which McCain dropped 12 points in 15 minutes against the Lakers, he was even better in Game 2, dropping 18 points to help lead the Thunder to another win.
Both of McCain’s performances came in a reserve role with the Thunder, something the 76ers could have used after leaning on star Tyrese Maxey for 47 minutes in a Game 2 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday.
The 76ers, of course, actually did have that before trading McCain away to the Thunder at the deadline.
McCain spoke about that deal following his strong performance in Game 2, admitting he felt the trade was “heartbreaking” initially.
Obviously, McCain doesn’t feel that way now. He called the trade a “blessing” in retrospect and talked glowingly about his Thunder teammates.
It hasn’t necessarily been the smoothest ride for McCain in Oklahoma City. Toward the end of the regular season — and even during the team’s first-round matchup against the Phoenix Suns — McCain saw limited playing time thanks to the Thunder’s already excellent rotation.
But when he’s gotten opportunities, McCain has provided a scoring boost off the bench.
At the time of the trade, 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said he felt confident that the team was “selling high” when it traded McCain. The traded netted the 76ers a first-round pick this year (via Houston) and two future second rounders. At the end of McCain’s interview Thursday, Prime analyst Blake Griffin jokingly shouted out, “They didn’t sell high enough,” prompting a laugh and a “shoutout Philly” from McCain.
It was a sequence that is unlikely to go over well with 76ers fans, who just saw their favorite team’s lack of depth get exposed in Game 2.
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