Jared McCain reveals the gap between the average NBA player and the normal person

Seen as one of the most relatable players in the NBA, Jared McCain is quite a good athlete. He might have fun on his TikTok account, but he works hard to become the best version of himself. With both the Philadelphia 76ers and now the Oklahoma City Thunder, McCain has had experience playing alongside some big stars.

During his 76ers days, he had Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Joel Embiid. Now that he is on OKC, he is playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. McCain has no problems admitting some players are better than him, but he acknowledges his own ability as well. 

Jared McCain speaks about the different levels NBA players are on compared to regular people

Throughout the NBA's nearly 80-year history, there have only been around 5,000 players. That is a smaller number than most people realize, and that is because of the level required even to reach the league.  Some talented players have not even reached that level, but they stood out in other leagues around the world.

Standing out in the NBA can be quite challenging because of how different the systems are from team to team. It is up to the player to showcase their skill set and how they fit by playing well in practice and convincing the coaching staff they belong. 

MORE: Jared McCain has earned a key role within Mark Daigneault's system

McCain has done that ever since he stepped foot in the NBA. He made sure to stand out as an offensive player, especially as a shooter. McCain also works hard in other areas of the game, which makes him reliable and not just a one-trick pony. 

"The difference at the pro level, there are special cases like Shai and Luka-true superstars; where there is a bigger gap. But a lot of NBA players are actually closer to a LeBron than the average person is to the ‘worst’ player in the league. The small margins, and that's what I try to win to further myself," McCain said about the level an NBA player is required to play at.

Before even reaching the league, players are judged across multiple facets. This includes their physical traits because if a player is not tall and lengthy enough, they will struggle. McCain knows that struggle, but he still stood out with his skill set, attitude, and natural talent.

There are plenty of good role players like McCain, stars like SGA, but there are also some players who struggle to get a 10-day contract. Despite their status as the players who can't get a regular deal, they are still some of the most talented players in the world, who is closer to LeBron James than most people in the world are. 

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