In the process, the Lillard-McCollum match had seldom looked better; they would become the first backcourt duo to each score 250+ points in their teams first ten games: The only others in league history to have done so at that time? Across their eight-and-half year reign together, the two combined for 29,367 points a lot of regular season and postseason buckets combined along with three 50-win seasons, eight postseason appearances, once upon a time the NBAs longest active streak, and an immeasurable amount of memories. 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 Tuesday, the official NBA All-Star reserves list was released with just two weeks remaining before the game is set to take place. As a senior, he was named a McDonald's All-American, averaging 24.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. Still, McCollum not even making the top ten? 5. 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. closest McCollum's come to the All-Star courts were the 2016 and 2017 three-point contests. The win moved New Orleans to 1.5 games ahead of Portland in the West. Listed as out for the Pelicans are Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain), Dyson Daniels (right ankle sprain) and E.J. Decade-long rulers of the Western Conference, the Warriors and more specifically, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson became the litmus test the Lillard-McCollum pairing would be based judged against. [43] On the 25th of that month, McCollum had 26 points and scored 7 straight in the final quarter, as he helped Portland stage a 100 scoring run to overcome a 17-point deficit and defeat the Washington Wizards, 108105. On a contending Rockets team, Harden is one of the most popular players in the game and already a seven-time All-Star. He just doesnt know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or if his trip to Salt Lake City will serve a dual purpose. Michael Reaves/Getty Images) I would say this is the most unique position we've been in probably since I was traded here, to be honest. 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. While Lillard did get the best of him in their individual matchup, McCollum got what he needed most in his return to Portland: a win. [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. We have great human beings in here. What often goes forgotten in that game is that Portland, to borrow another boxing term, were very much so against the ropes, trailing 101-93 with nine minutes to play. I want him to be the best version of himself, McCollum said of his backcourt mate. Both Anthony and McCollum deserved to be reserved in the All-Star game this year if we look at the output both of them have put out. To begin the night, the Pelicans had McCollum guarding the red-hot Lillard, who entered the game averaging 38.7 points over the previous 20 games. Over that span, Lillard averaged 45.1 points, 9.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 53-53-88 splits (no, there are no typos there), with the sub-.500 Blazers needing every ounce of it to keep their fledgling postseason aspirations alive. [68] Two days later, McCollum made his Pelicans debut, putting up 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in a 11297 loss to the Miami Heat. 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. For those who can remember at the time, it offered a look into sides of the Blazers duo that hadnt been seen as often. The first-ever Playoffs series win vs. the Clippers in 2016. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. NBA.com is part of Warner . No Blazer had recorded numbers on par with McCollum's near triple-double in the last 29 years (Clyde Drexler posted 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists or more on five occasions. 1 in minutes played (15,750) with McCollum at No. [67], On February 8, 2022, Portland traded McCollum, Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tom Satoransk, Didi Louzada, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, the better of New Orleans' and Portland's 2026 second-round draft picks and New Orleans' 2027 second-round draft pick. As a freshman in 2005, he was considerably undersized, standing at only 5ft 2in (1.57m). Gambling problem? 'I get paid like an All-Star. If Im going to be an elite guard, Ive got to pick up full court sometimes and do whatever it takes, McCollum said. The epitaph on this partnerships life cycle had started in the lead-up to their First Round meeting against Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Williamson is now on the shelf for at least three weeks and Ingram's timetable to return is unknown. Lillard helped bridge the gap between award-winning hip-hop artist and one of the faces of Adidas. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. [3] He played in 33 games, starting in 31, and averaged 19.1 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. CJ McCollum attended Glen Oak in Canton, Ohio and Lehigh. 2. When McCollum made his first visit back to Portland last March, Lillard was sidelined by season-ending surgery to repair an abdominal injury. PORTLAND Even a year after his departure, CJ McCollum is still featured prominently next to other historic Portland Trail Blazers figures in the back hallway of Moda Center. He joined Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, and Tyreke Evans as the only players in Pelicans history to put up at least 40 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a game. We kind of had it in our back pocket. [56] In Game 3 of the Trail Blazers' second-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, McCollum matched his career playoff high with 41 points during a 140137 win in quadruple-overtime. McCollum began last season playing the best basketball of his life for the Portland Trail Blazers. As McCollum dressed at his locker, Jaxson Hayes screamed, Second team All-Defense, CJ McCollum! I just work extremely hard and I dont need validation from outsiders, I dont need validation from other people, because I know what I have and what I bring to the table., "I don't need validation from other people, because I know what I have and what I bring to the table. He is a willing listener. [52] On January 22, he scored 31 points and made seven 3-pointers in a 123114 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, thus passing Nicolas Batum (751) for fourth on the franchise's all-time 3-pointers list. To begin the night, the Pelicans had McCollum guarding the red-hot Lillard, who entered the game averaging 38.7 points over the previous 20 games. A consummate student of journalism, McCollum penned an article for Sporting News explaining why he opted to continue on with his education. [84] During the NBA coronavirus bubble, he brought 84 bottles in with him and kept his hotel room temperature at 60F (16C) or below to protect it. That didn't stop Lillard from scoring 41 points, his 13th time this season with 40-plus. Blazers Play Like Field Mice Against Hawks, Get Eaten Up. The teams record since then, including play-in tournament and playoff games, is 44-35. If you look at the numbers, Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is easily an All-Star caliber player. [20], Exercising their fourth-year team option on September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers extended McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 201617 season. Im going to be more consistent. Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks First Half Here! "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. The NBPA President has 21 games to change minds. I mean. While accolades are great, McCollum values being a good person and helping his team win over making it to the big game. We came out and just competed, played hard. In subsequent press conferences, the two would even grow to develop similar mannerisms, complementing one another along the way. The loss eliminated Portland from the playoffs, the last in a four-game sweep. The former NBA Most Improved Player in 2015-16 has. Major League Baseball announced Friday that this season's All-Star Game and draft will not be held in Atlanta in response to Georgia's recently passed laws that placed new restrictions on voting. I am going to make shots and am going to help us win.. Bucks - Game Summary - November 21, 2019 - ESPN", "McCollum, Anthony carry Blazers past Pistons, 107-104", "Trail Blazers' CJ McCollum: Lights up Magic for 41", "VIDEO: CJ McCollum's game-winning three spoils James Harden's OT heroics", "Portland Trail Blazers' CJ McCollum elected NBPA president", "CJ MCCOLLUM DIAGNOSED WITH A PNEUMOTHORAX", "Portland Trail Blazers vs Orlando Magic Jan 17, 2022 Game Summary", "TRail Blazers Complete Trade With New Orleans", "Pelicans winning streak snapped by Heat in McCollum's debut, lose 112-97", "CJ McCollum, Pelicans Beat Dejounte Murray, Spurs in 2022 NBA Play-in Tournament", "CJ McCollum agrees to 2-year extension with Pelicans", "CJ McCollum etches name in Pelicans history with monster game vs. Spurs", "Pelicans star Zion Williamson reveals what made CJ McCollum's 42-point explosion 'beautiful', "CJ McCollum in favor of playing out the rest of the season at a single site", "C.J. He has nine years of those experiences working alongside Damian Lillard. If its in Gods plan for it to happen, so be it, McCollum said. The Thunder opened up a double-digit lead midway through the second and a 70.6 percent win probability at that before the Blazers star duo did what expectations suggested they should: This sequence by Damian Lillard is still iconic pic.twitter.com/yZfuiLLfWx. '. In a considerably superior environment with more talent, the Warriors often got the better end of the stick. Austin Reaves and Russell Westbrook are All-Stars but the Los Angeles Lakers only have a 17-21 record? There was a problem saving your notification. It was the second time hes scored at least 40 points in a game without logging a turnover. Listed at 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 165lb (75kg) as a freshman in 200910, he made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Lillard joked that he knew McCollum's full-court pressure against "wasn't going to last." 3. From a group standpoint, the best of it came during Game One of the First Round of the 2017 Playoffs, in which Lillard and McCollum combined for 75 points, just shy of the record shared by Aldridge-Lillard and Drexler-Porter groupings. When the NBA on TNT crew asked the Trail Blazers star about his mentality and supporting his teammates despite not getting an All-Star nod, McCollum said he doesnt need others to validate his body of work. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. On April 16, 2017, Portland lost 121109 to the Warriors in Game 1 of the first-round series; yet McCollum's 41 points during the game was his postseason career-best and made him only the eighth Blazer with a 40-point playoff performance. New Orleans is in the midst of a season-long five-game road trip. McCollum played high school basketball for the Golden Eagles at GlenOak High School in his native city of Canton, Ohio. Ingram's personal update explained how it would be hard to tell exactly when he'd be ready. Itll be what its going to be.. For everything thats changed, much has also remained the same: both players remain tasked with the expectation of leading the offensive charge for their respective franchises, each of which remaining heavily invested in this seasons Western Conference postseason race. Remembering Damian Lillard and CJ McCollums Greatest Blazers Hits, Blazers Cant Stop Hawks Guards, Fall in Atlanta, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors Make Transactions as Season Concludes. Shooting Guard [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. NEW ORLEANS CJ McCollum scored a season-high 40 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 126-117 to end their four-game losing streak. It paid off tonight, Ingram told The Athletic. 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. Enter Game Two. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups.". Join our linker program. Despite averaging 26.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from three, all career highs, McCollums name was missing from the list of reserves for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. [3] McCollum would eventually benefit from a late growth spurt, gaining five inches by his second year and another four inches by his third year of high school; it proved enough to put him on the radar for college recruitment. That, along with a disruptive defender in Jones, led to remarkable results. Dynamic duos dont survive nearly a full decade together without learning how to reach peak performance simultaneously. Lillard and McCollums relationship actually started because they both dealt with the same foot injury. . In that game, Lillard played a 60-minute-and-one-second game, McCollum at 57:59 prompting his This is what Im built for quote on the way to one of the greatest games in league history. After he scored a combined 27 points in the second and third quarters, the Pels held him to eight in the final period, including just one field goal in the final seven minutes. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). McCollum is not known for his defense, but he said he has so much familiarity with Lillards game that he wanted to take on that responsibility early on. 7 in minutes played (15,030). props to bro, he tried to stop B.I. 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. On December 27, McColllum put up 35 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists during a 9894 win over the Sacramento Kings. McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "C.J. He is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. [4], As a junior in the 201112 campaign, McCollum again earned Patriot League Player of the Year, as well as his third straight First Team All-Conference designation. Ja Morant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are up-and-coming stars with loyal fanbases voting daily. If the Portland Trail Blazers guard continues in this vein of form, he is a surefire All-Star selection. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. It remains the biggest shot of his career. He attended Glendora High School in Glendora, California, where he played basketball. To two undersized mid-major guards who had made a career out of outpunching their weight, though, odds meant little. Its going to be a roller coaster. That didnt stop the Blazers duo from putting together signature moments in the process. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. The 3.9 pull-up jumpers hes making per contest are the 10th-most in the NBA. For the season, he would average 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a night across 80 games. CJ McCollum has started the 2021 season on a high. [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. [54] On March 1, he scored 35 points and matched a career best by making seven 3-pointers in a 119117 loss to the Toronto Raptors. To count a few: theres (1) Lillards pissed off at the NBA, 51-point performance against Golden State, fresh off of another All-Star snub, (2) the corner game-winner with three Warriors in his airspace in 2018-19, and even a cohesive 41-point second half takeover from Lillard and McCollum in a Feb. 14, 2018 win, providing some hope that, with both teams fully healthy, Portland could withstand the challenge. [31] Only four days later, he posted 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a career-high 3 blocks as Portland beat the Denver Nuggets, 115113, in an overtime contest. When Dame was out this year, his usage spiked and he put up great numbers. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have combined to miss 42 games. 10). 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. CJ McCollum ( New Orleans Pelicans) with a 3-pointer vs the Golden State Warriors, 03/03/2023. [79] McCollum's older brother, Errick, is also a professional basketball player. Right, Born: (31-33, 10th place in NBA Western Conference). CJMcCollum CJ . It wasthe main reason they were able to close out this win. Theres no easy pick which game led to the fastest heartbeat; each was packed with pressure and high-stakes implications. 6. Describing life as a score-first backcourt, and how to manage when one player is hot, how to take a step back, and how they stacked up amongst NBA historys top backcourts. 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.
March 11, 2023