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Thunder’s Jared McCain shares heartfelt message on embracing OKC
Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are picking up the debris from the San Antonio Spurs destroying their repeat pursuit. That includes Jared McCain sitting in a reflective state.

McCain, though, chose to embrace the city that he’s come to love. He handed his roses to “Loud City” while addressing reporters Sunday.

“Everywhere I’ve gone, they’re always trying to help and always trying, always, no matter what,” McCain explained.

He later described it as OKC residents paying it forward for him.

“So whether it’s being able to just pay for somebody’s coffee, help somebody out, give someone a picture, like whatever it is, I try and do that,” McCain said. “I think that love just kind of all comes back around to you and that energy comes back and that allows me to fall in love with a city.”

OKC’s Paycom Center established itself as the loudest arena in the league. The fan noise attempted to rattle Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and company. Yet Wemby and the Spurs lowered the noise levels by jumping on the Thunder early, then throwing counterpunches after each OKC run.

But McCain clearly described the environment outside of Paycom as a family one. Hence why he feels comfort in stepping outside to greet fans.

McCain even was born in an NBA city, albeit a small market one in Sacramento. He later moved to the Inland Empire of California, attending Centennial High in Corona where he became a highly-touted recruit until landing at Duke. McCain scored 12 points in the Game 7 loss to San Antonio.

This article first appeared on NBA on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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