Paul George: ‘Jared McCain can’t be our most consistent player’

Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Jared McCain has played as well as any first-year player so far in the 2024-25 regular season. Among all rookies, he ranks first in the NBA in points (15.6) per game, and he’s scoring the ball with efficiency that would make some league veterans blush.

It’s not uncommon for players to struggle to put the ball through the net when they first enter the league, however, McCain is shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from deep thus far.

The play of McCain has been one of only a few bright spots for the 76ers since the campaign started up. Paul George, who signed a lucrative contract in the offseason, recently reflected on the 76ers’ slow start and admitted that McCain can’t be the team’s most consistent player.

George hasn’t played like someone who just signed a four-year, $212 million deal. While injuries have kept him in and out of the lineup, he’s averaging just 14.9 points per game so far in his first season as a 76er.

That marks George’s lowest scoring average since the 2014-15 campaign, when he appeared in just six games with the Indiana Pacers after he broke his leg in an exhibition game prior to the FIBA World Cup.

To his credit, George has been effective in other facets of the game outside of scoring, as he’s averaging 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game. But his contributions as a passer, rebounder and defender haven’t made up for his scoring woes.

However, George isn’t the only 76ers star who deserves criticism. Joel Embiid looks a bit off this season as well.

After he scored 34.7 points per game a season ago, the Cameroonian big man has seen his scoring average drop to 19.7 points. He’s also connecting on just 37.9 percent of his shots from the floor and 16.7 percent of his 3s.

The 76ers’ next game on their regular-season schedule will come against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, but George will unfortunately not play in that contest.

He has been ruled out for Philadelphia’s next two games thanks to a bone bruise, meaning the earliest he’ll make his return to the lineup will be Philadelphia’s bout versus the Houston Rockets on Nov. 27.