From locker room jokes to instant chemistry, the rookie’s unwavering authenticity smoothed his transition, proving that personality is just as vital as talent for the Thunder’s culture.
When a team already has good chemistry, bringing in a new player can sometimes take time. Players have to get comfortable with each other, learn each other’s personalities and figure out how everyone fits together.
But according to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams, Jared McCain was able to fit in almost immediately.
“Yeah, it's amazing,” Williams said when asked about how McCain was able to add to the team’s chemistry. From the moment Jared arrived, Williams said, he acted like he had already been around the team for years.
“I think from day one, he was already making jokes like he's been on the team for three years,” Williams said.
That might seem like a small thing, but it says a lot about McCain’s personality. Instead of taking a long time to open up or trying to figure out how he was supposed to act around his new teammates, he was comfortable being himself right away.
That is something Williams believes makes McCain different.
“That's the one thing about Jared, he doesn't let -- no matter where he's at or what settings he's in or what team he's on, whatever, he's going to be Jared.”
For Williams, being comfortable with who you are makes it much easier to fit into a new group. McCain didn’t have to change his personality just because he was around a new group of teammates. He was able to come in, be himself and naturally build relationships with everyone.
“I think when you have a guy that's so confident, his personality, and confident in who he is, what he wants to do, it's easy to fit in because you're not going to change who you are because of who you are around,” Williams said.
Williams also gave credit to the Thunder organization for creating an environment where players can feel comfortable being themselves. He mentioned the front office and the people responsible for bringing players into the organization.
“I think our front office, Sam, whoever makes the decisions to bring in these guys, bring in all of us, I think they do a great job of bringing in good people,” Williams said.
That seems to be a big part of what Williams feels makes the team work. It is not just about having talented basketball players. The personalities and relationships within the team matter, too. Jared was able to come into an already close group without feeling like an outsider.
“Jared is just another great guy,” Williams said. He then expanded that thought to the team and organization as a whole:
“And our team is full of good guys. Our facility, our organization, is full of good people. They make it super easy.”
For Williams, McCain’s arrival is a good example of how much personality can matter when building a team. He came in confident, comfortable and willing to be himself, and that made it easier for everyone else to accept him. Instead of taking away from the chemistry the team already had, McCainnwas able to become another part of it almost immediately.
