How Will Sixers Manage NBA’s Best Backcourt Rotation?

“So, I think from a conditioning standpoint, I think he’s going to be in a good place,” he continues. “He’s taken, as of the last couple of days, lots of shots –high-volume attempts –and he’s making them like he normally does. I think it’s still very early here. We got to get him into some contact and get him checked again… But we’re making some progress.”

Nurse’s latest statement doubles down on his comments from Monday, when he noted that McCain is “going to have to go through a series of days of contact,” per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. At the time, Pompey revealed that McCain had been “cleared to switch from his initial splint to a smaller one and take part in drills after being reevaluated a couple of days ago. As was the case prior to the injury, he shot the ball at a high percentage during the workout.”

How Will Sixers Manage NBA’s Best Backcourt Rotation?

The Sixers should be incredibly excited. In the world of sports, it’s easy to get carried away and become hyperbolic. Yet, there’s a legitimate argument that Philadelphia has the best backcourt rotation in the NBA when healthy.

With Los Angeles Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves playing out of this world right now, that’s quite a claim to make. Even so, the Lakers don’t have four starting-level and star-caliber guards. Between McCain, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, the 76ers do.

What Will Jared McCain’s Role Be?

As there’s only one ball to go around, the quality of their backcourt rotation is a gift and a curse. Factoring in the juice that Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, and Joel Embiid have with the ball in their hands only adds layers of complexity. Yet, with enough selflessness and creativity, everyone will be able to eat. Plus, winning makes any pill easier to swallow.

That being said, it should be easier to integrate McCain into the offense now than it would’ve been prior to the season. Maxey and Edgecombe have already secured their starting positions. Maxey, who’s leading the NBA in scoring, is the team’s offensive engine with 37.5 points and 8.3 assists per game. Edgecombe’s athleticism and instincts allowed him to come out of the gates looking like one of the league’s premier two-way players.

What Will Jared McCain’s Role Be?

As there’s only one ball to go around, the quality of their backcourt rotation is a gift and a curse. Factoring in the juice that Kelly Oubre Jr., Paul George, and Joel Embiid have with the ball in their hands only adds layers of complexity. Yet, with enough selflessness and creativity, everyone will be able to eat. Plus, winning makes any pill easier to swallow.

That being said, it should be easier to integrate McCain into the offense now than it would’ve been prior to the season. Maxey and Edgecombe have already secured their starting positions. Maxey, who’s leading the NBA in scoring, is the team’s offensive engine with 37.5 points and 8.3 assists per game. Edgecombe’s athleticism and instincts allowed him to come out of the gates looking like one of the league’s premier two-way players.

Meanwhile, Grimes has been utilized in an assertive sixth man role. Thus, McCain should be slotting in as Maxey’s backup. With Maxey, Edgecombe, and Grimes playing so well, his numbers may not constantly sizzle off the grill. Even so, he should be able to play an important role as a go-to scorer in the second unit. His presence also allows Maxey to rest more. To that point, Maxey’s 43.0 minutes per game leads the league.