That means sometimes I might have it going, but hes the closer. 1991 And if not, Ill be out there for some meetings anyway. To two undersized mid-major guards who had made a career out of outpunching their weight, though, odds meant little. Lillard could offer some advice on how to deal with it. [58] In the deciding Game 7, he scored a game-high 37 points in a 10096 win, including the game-sealing step back jumper with 15 seconds remaining, to help the Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. While Lillard ended up scoring 41 points, he was less effective as the game progressed. He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He was a 201213 Senior CLASS Award finalist. Blazers Play Like Field Mice Against Hawks, Get Eaten Up. This was no longer the case in 2019-20, with the unorthodox, truncated NBA Restart leaving teams unable to play over a four-month span from mid-March to late-July. [8], On November 25, 2012, McCollum scored 26 points in a 9177 win over Sacred Heart to pass Rob Feaster as the Patriot League's all-time leading scorer. Game Four remains a positive memory nonetheless. As New Orleans continues to scrounge for ways to win games amid its injury woes, Green discovering this lineup could be a significant development. A large black-and-white photo of McCollum's late fadeaway jumper in a Game 7 win over Denver in the 2019 playoffs hangs on a gray, tiled wall about 10 feet away from Portland's locker room. He deployed Herb Jones at center in small lineups for much of the fourth quarter and attempted to disrupt the Lillard pick-and-roll by throwing multiple coverages at him. Poole has not and the Warriors still sport a 3-16 record away from home. On Tuesday, the official NBA All-Star reserves list was released with just two weeks remaining before the game is set to take place. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. Things got even more difficult as Lillard repeatedly roasted Willy Hernangomez, forcing the replacement Pelicans center to move his feet out in space. Lillard and McCollums relationship actually started because they both dealt with the same foot injury. Thus far, it is 2-2 even though three of its normal starters Williamson, Ingram and Herb Jones have all missed multiple games. [33] On November 20, McCollum scored 33 points and hit a career-high 6 three-pointers, to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 129109. Ingram put on a masterclass in controlling an offense while operating within the 15-to-18-foot range. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. Long before they teamed up in Portland, McCollum (Lehigh University) and Lillard (Weber State University) took turns leading the nation in scoring. Over the season, McCollum has averaged 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.0 three-pointers on 43/40/79 shooting splits, providing some much-needed veteran leadership as well. authenticate users, apply security measures, and prevent spam and abuse, and, display personalised ads and content based on interest profiles, measure the effectiveness of personalised ads and content, and, develop and improve our products and services. props to bro, he tried to stop B.I. [63], On December 26, 2020, McCollum scored a season-high 44 points, along with a game-winning three-pointer, in a 128126 overtime win against the Houston Rockets. Join our linker program. CJ McCollum's career-high 9TH three-pointer wins it for the @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/4gEBbFU6HZ. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. [66] On January 17, 2022, he made his return from the injury, logging 16 points in a 9888 win over the Orlando Magic. [25] On April 5, he posted his eighth 30-point game of the season, during a 115107 win over Sacramento. CJ McCollum attended Glen Oak in Canton, Ohio and Lehigh. When that swap with the Portland Trail Blazers was finalized on Feb. 8, New Orleans record was 22-32. Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks First Half Here! But we just care about each other. Do you have a sports website? CJ is big on that, backup point guard Jose Alvarado said. Schooling the Thunder once in Game One was to get the monkey of their respective backs; to do it again would be sending a message. [75] Guests on the show have included Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. 8 (428) and No. It remains the biggest shot of his career. So, why not? But me knowing him the way I know him and having to compete against him, I wanted to make sure I got out front and set the tone early.. Damian Lillard and Devin Booker are totally understandable choices. For the season, he would average 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a night across 80 games. McCollum doesnt only dispense advice. Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. During the Pelicans win against the Wizards, Alvarado kept telling McCollum what he was seeing on the court during stoppages in play. Defense for offense typifies this fantasy trade. That didnt stop the Blazers duo from putting together signature moments in the process. Although McCollum has only played 13 games and has been sidelined dealing with a foot injury, he was averaging 26.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Trail Blazers. Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft, More CJ McCollum pages at Sports Reference. A reserve in his first two years, he became a full-time starter for the Trail Blazers in his third season after making the decision to move to shooting guard as the Blazers lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, and Robin Lopez in free agency following the end of the 2014-15 season. Willie Green Wins Coach of the Month Award, Smoothie King Center Sell-Outs Now Normal, Pelicans Fans: NBA All-Star Voting Is Live, Pelicans Issue Update On Zion Williamson's Injury, CJ McCollum Shares Thoughts On Injury Bug, Pelicans Trade Market Index: Case For Keeping Current Squad. On the box score, Game Threes 140-137 win would likely suffice. Or write about sports? McCollum evolved with the Pull-Up podcast and as a wine connoisseur, to name a few of his interests. The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. The NBA's hands are tied concerning the fan vote but making the game as a coach's selection or even an injury replacement would be a tip of the cap to what has been an outstanding, yet sometimes overshadowed, career. (31-33, 10th place in NBA Western Conference). During his third year in the league in 201516, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player.[1]. The fact that each guard played in 90+ percent of the games they shared together. [15] He was recalled by the Blazers on January 5 and made his NBA debut three days later, during which he notched 4 points as Portland beat the Orlando Magic, 11094. Liddell (right knee ACL injury recovery). New Orleans 10-year veteran guard CJ McCollum was sidelined during Mondays win at Oklahoma City due to a right ankle sprain, and is listed as questionable to play Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. On January 1, 2014, he was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the development league. The Pelicans coaching staff also showed the necessary desperation in the fourth quarter as they looked for answers to slow Lillard in the pick-and-roll. [3] Even though he was already considered virtually destined to be a top NBA draft pick by his third year, he decided to finish his final year of college instead of leaving sooner for the NBA. 0:23; On a contending Rockets team, Harden is one of the most popular players in the game and already a seven-time All-Star. Like most every other team in the NBA from 2014-15 to 2018-19, performances didnt hold the same value unless you did it against the Golden State Warriors. New Orleans is in the midst of a season-long five-game road trip. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. A large black-and-white photo of McCollums late fadeaway jumper in a Game 7 win over Denver in the 2019 playoffs hangs on a gray, tiled wall about 10 feet away from Portlands locker room. [3] In his very first game as a junior, McCollum came away with 54 points to set both school and Stark County records. Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum top NBA quotes of the week, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series, Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. Trailing by 10 with less than eight minutes to go, that Lillard-McCollum (and Aldridge) trio pieced together 25 points together to help avoid elimination. For those who can remember at the time, it offered a look into sides of the Blazers duo that hadnt been seen as often. [19] In the season-opener on October 28, McCollum posted a career-high 37 points, scoring 22 of which in the first quarter alone, helping the Blazers defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 11294. Throwing different looks, scrambling (and) multiple efforts.. Shooting Guard Christian James McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2022, McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, ending his nine year run with the Blazers. Maybe, the former Most Improved Player will finally get the first All-Star nod of his career. Depending on your preferred story arc, its likely that everyone has a different favorite. If not, then he will handle his duties as NBPA president and then escape the Mountain West cold for a few days with his family. [30] McCollum would start in all 80 games that he played and would average 23 points as well as 3.6 rebounds and as many assists. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. Sources: 2021 NBA All-Star reserves:West: Chris Paul, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Zion Williamson, Anthony DavisEast: James Harden, Julius Randle, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Ben Simmons, Nikola Vucevic. 3 First Team All-Patriot League (20102012), 3 Patriot League All-Tournament team (20102012), Patriot League's all-time leading scorer (2361 points), Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 22 February 2023, at 03:34. Not that any one knew it, or even wanted it at the time, but towards the end of the 2014-15 season, there were opportunities that showcased what a homegrown backcourt pairing of Lillard and McCollum could look like. The Portland Trail Blazers have started the year with a steady three and two record, but CJ McCollum has been the team's best player. The championship window seemed shattered on the ruptured Achilles of Wesley Matthews, and within weeks, the talented two-guardalong with fellow starters Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and Robin Lopezwould become a thing of the past. I understand the work he puts in and he understands the work I put in, and we continue to empower each other., CJ McCollum says he doesnt care if he never makes an All-Star Game, heres why, McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. Just staying consistent in playing super hard all the time, forward Herb Jones told The Athletic. However lively the yearly trade-deadline chatter might be, there's a reason CJ McCollum is still in Portland. After starting the game 5/8 from the three-point line, the Pelicans finished just 5/21. The former NBA Most Improved Player in 2015-16 has. One of the most durable scorers in the game, he finished second in west guard voting last year. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? But for the first time in his career, McCollum walked through that back hallway with the intention of beating Lillard and handing his new team a historic night of their own. McCollum: 'More Than Just a Basketball Player', "CJ McCollum Dream Center Opens at Blazers Boys & Girls Club", "Portland's CJ McCollum is a Silent Assassin on the Court and a Blooming Journalist Off of it", "NBA star CJ McCollum is keeping his hotel room a frigid temperature to create a wine cellar for the 84 bottles he ordered to the Disney bubble", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CJ_McCollum&oldid=1140860142. Glen Oak in Canton, Ohio, Draft: [62] McCollum matched his season-high on March 2, scoring 41 points in a 130107 win over the Orlando Magic. His 11 three-pointers were a Pelicans franchise record for the most three-pointers made in a game. CJ McCollum has made at least $147,980,107 playing professional basketball. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred moved this year's All-Star game from Atlanta to protest new voting laws in Georgia. Learn more and register. He picked apart every coverage the Blazers threw at him and turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. When NBA players discuss some of the benefits to that of their sport, in comparison to say, the NFL where games are often seven days apart one of the positives they always bring up: after a bad performance, you normally dont have to wait as long for a shot at redemption. You have permission to edit this article. He came out with the kind of desperate mindset McCollum called for pregame, but he didnt allow that to translate into recklessness. The other names on the list are questionable at best. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. There are 21 games over the next 6 weeks to garner some more fan votes. Im here to win games. He signed his rookie scale contract with the franchise on July 11,[13] and he proceeded to play for them in the NBA Summer League, averaging 21 points and 4 rebounds per game. McCollum began last season playing the best basketball of his life for the Portland Trail Blazers. The only thing holding CJ back from being an allstar is Dame. [60], On November 21, 2019, McCollum scored a then season-high 37 points, along with 6 rebounds and 10 assists, in a 137129 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. [22] After injury decommissioned Lillard in late December, McCollum filled in as the primary point guard. Buthe is the only member of the Trail Blazers to make the cut. Beyond Zion Williamson, who remains out with his hamstring injury, Jose Alvarado will miss at least the next weeks with a right tibia stress reaction and Larry Nance is out at least the next two weeks with an ankle issue. New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (left) high-fives CJ McCollum (right) during the second half of a preseason game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Oct. 4, 2022, in Chicago.