In the ever-evolving landscape of the NBA, a culture war is brewing between the old guard and the new generation, and at the center of the storm stands Jared McCain. Known to millions on social media as the “Zesty Hooper” for his viral TikTok dances and exuberant personality, McCain has found himself in the crosshairs of NBA veterans who believe his off-court antics are starting to overshadow his on-court production. The criticism reached a boiling point recently when retired legend Jason “White Chocolate” Williams delivered a scathing take that has the basketball world buzzing about professionalism, “optics,” and the brutal reality of the business.
“That’s a Problem”
Jason Williams, known for his flashy style and streetball flair during his playing days, surprisingly took a hardline stance on locker room decorum during a recent podcast appearance. When the topic of McCain’s social media presence came up, Williams didn’t mince words.
“If I’m in the locker room and I come out of that motherfing shower and I see Buddy over there doing a TikTok dance in the motherfing locker room, that’s a problem,” Williams declared.
His frustration stems from a perceived lack of focus. To Williams, the locker room is a sanctuary for preparation and battle, not a soundstage for viral content—especially for a young player who hasn’t established himself yet. He drew a sharp distinction between a rookie like McCain and a global icon like LeBron James. Williams noted that LeBron is the best of the best and can TikTok whenever he wants, but Jared McCain hasn’t earned that right yet. The message was clear: in the NBA hierarchy, freedom is earned through production, and McCain hasn’t paid his dues yet.
The Prophetic Warning
Williams isn’t the only voice ringing the alarm. Former player and current analyst Eddie Johnson had previously issued a warning to McCain that now seems eerily prophetic. Johnson noted that when a player is averaging 15 points and winning, fans and front offices will tolerate—and even celebrate—the social media sideshow. But the moment injuries hit or production dips, the narrative flips instantly.
“Calm down with TikTok dude because now it turns into a negative,” Johnson advised. He warned that if McCain ended up in the G-League or on the trading block, the very videos that made him famous would be used as evidence that he wasn’t focused on his game.
That prediction became reality this season. After a slow start plagued by injuries and a “sophomore slump,” the “fun” TikToks began to look like distractions to critics. The patience for the “Zesty Hooper” persona wore thin when the buckets stopped dropping at the same rate.
“Selling High”
The most damning indictment, however, came not from a podcast, but from the front office that just traded him. After shipping McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers GM Daryl Morey made a comment that sent shockwaves through the league.
“I am quite confident we were selling high,” Morey stated.
In executive speak, this is brutal. It implies that the Sixers believe they have already seen the best of Jared McCain and that his value is only going down from here. It suggests that the organization viewed him as a depreciating asset—perhaps one whose off-court focus was becoming a liability rather than a marketing tool.
The Corporate Reality
The breakdown makes a compelling comparison to the corporate world: the more value you bring to a company, the more “rope” you get to mess around. A CEO can take a long lunch; an entry-level employee cannot. Similarly, a superstar can dance on TikTok; a role player fighting for minutes needs to look locked in.
McCain is now in Oklahoma City, a franchise known for its serious, business-like approach to development. While the Thunder are a young team, they are also legitimate championship contenders. The question now is whether McCain can “read the room.”
The host advises McCain to heed the warnings of the OGs: if you are injured, or if you aren’t playing well, you have to pull back on the social media presence until you get things rolling again.
Conclusion
Jared McCain is a talented shooter with a bright future, but he is currently learning a harsh lesson about the NBA’s “optics.” The league is a workplace, and like any workplace, perception matters. When legends like Jason Williams say your behavior is a “problem,” and GMs say they “sold high” on you, it’s time to listen. The “TikTok Era” may be here to stay, but as McCain is finding out, the game of basketball still demands respect—and if you don’t give it, the game has a way of humbling you very quickly.
