On the NBA 2K series, this would lead to a 10 percent increase in teammate chemistry. Sure, there were bigger on-court moments, but it proved full-circle for two teammates who always seemed to root on one anothers successes. CJ McCollum on potentially making the All-Star game this year: "I get paid like an All-Star" 12 Jan 2023 03:28:42 6. 1. 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. [20], Exercising their fourth-year team option on September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers extended McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 201617 season. Desperate times may call for desperate measures. [62] McCollum matched his season-high on March 2, scoring 41 points in a 130107 win over the Orlando Magic. To get his team over the hump, Ingram must consistently play at a superstar level the rest of the way. 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. Damian Lillard. During his third year in the league in 2015-16, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player [1] . [32] During a 10094 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on November 6, he matched his earlier career-high by racking up 37 points. Be sure to share some of your favorite Lillard-McCollum memories below as well. That forced Green to try something different. [74] It is co-hosted by ESPN analyst Jordan Schultz. The loss eliminated Portland from the playoffs, the last in a four-game sweep. Ingram put on a shot-making clinic against a Portland defense that could not prevent him from getting anywhere he wanted. In tandem, they tallied up 32 second half points, resuscitating the Blazers long time postseason streak in the process. [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. Vote here: https://n. The win moved New Orleans to 1.5 games ahead of Portland in the West. The peak of that stretch came in a 128-126 thriller over the Houston Rockets, in which McCollum poured in 44 points, eight assists and nine 3-pointers, and Lillard provided reinforcement with 32 points, five rebounds and nine assists, the last of which proved to be the most important. CJ McCollum is playing like the second All-Star Damian Lillard needs That spring of 2019 was something else, was it not? He just doesn't know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or. Twitter: [61] On February 23, 2020, he would surpass that season-high with a 41-point, 9-rebound, 12-assist performance in a 107104 victory over the Detroit Pistons. For those who can remember at the time, it offered a look into sides of the Blazers duo that hadnt been seen as often. [83], McCollum is a wine enthusiast. Mar 27, 2022 4:52 PM EDT. [72] On December 30, McCollum scored 42 points on 11 three-pointers in a 127116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. As a freshman in 2005, he was considerably undersized, standing at only 5ft 2in (1.57m). Remembering Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum's Greatest Blazers Hits College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Lillard helped bridge the gap between award-winning hip-hop artist and one of the faces of Adidas. Tonight marks the first-ever game between Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. [39] The Blazers finished the regular season with a 4141 record and entered the playoffs as the eighth seed. Both are generational talents with name recognition having good to outstanding seasons so that cache and respect goes a long way with NBA fans. 3jmccollum, Position: As such, he saw his minutes increase to 34.8 per contest, and he started in all 80 games that he played. McCollum played high school basketball for the Golden Eagles at GlenOak High School in his native city of Canton, Ohio. The only thing holding CJ back from being an allstar is Dame. 7. He has been a marquee name for over a decade and since becoming a starter in 2015 McCollum has averaged over 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 40% shooting behind the arc. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Photos: CJ McCollum at 2022 NBA AllStar Weekend 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. Portland Trail Blazers: Can CJ McCollum crack the All-Star guard lineup? MLB Pulls All-Star Game From Atlanta, Georgia, in Response to Voting Is CJ McCollum now the best player to never make an all-star game? While they are out, the Pelicans rely heavily on McCollums ability to create something out of nothing. Blazers Play Like Field Mice Against Hawks, Get Eaten Up. [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. Pick Your Poison The 2019 Western Conference Semifinals Duel vs. DEN. . It . All eyes were on McCollum and Lillard going into this game as they shared the court for the first time since last Februarys trade. Lillard joked that he knew McCollum's full-court pressure against "wasn't going to last." It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. Towards the climax of that stretch, Lillard, in the middle of the 51-point game against Utah (of course), stepped to the free throw line, awaiting the ball before a familiar chant orchestrated by McCollum and Carmelo Anthony broke out: The entire arena gives Dame MVP chants after his 51-point game pic.twitter.com/kUZ4Fpv692. And of course, its well-known how this series ended. Shoots: That didnt stop the Blazers duo from putting together signature moments in the process. We came out and just competed, played hard. [79] McCollum's older brother, Errick, is also a professional basketball player. Christian James McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). McCollum had to sit out four games due to being in the NBA's health and safety protocol program but he has led the New Orleans Pelicans with an unquestionable leadership style and scoring savvy that deserves recognition. [17], On October 27, 2014, Portland exercised their third-year team option to extended McCollum's rookie scale contract through 201516. There will be no Jamal Murray jokes today. But desperation also provides a much-needed opportunity to think outside the box and generate positive results. Pelicans Guard CJ McCollum Suggests He'd Be A Multiple-Time All-Star If He never made an All-NBA Team. During the Pelicans win against the Wizards, Alvarado kept telling McCollum what he was seeing on the court during stoppages in play. [19] During a first-round playoff loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Game 5, McCollum scored a then career-high of 33 points. [53] On January 26, he recorded his first career triple-double with 28 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 120111 win over the Atlanta Hawks. 6 overall in 2012, they took McCollum with another lottery pick (No. [16] On February 8, McCollum posted a season-high 19 points in a 117110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Watch CJ McCollum drop 40 on Spurs, help Pelicans snap four-game losing Stepping Up to the Champs Game 1, 2017 West First Round vs. GSW. [2] On August 7, 2021, he was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing Chris Paul. The list of things going right for Portland is pretty small. 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. Locked in on defense! from a few chairs down. All rights reserved. CJMcCollum McCollum is not an out-of-the-blue candidate either. Lillard's teammates, Carmelo Anthony and CJ McCollum, did not make the All-star reserve list, despite being in the top-10 in fan voting just last week. [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. Damian Lillard spoke about the Blazers trading CJ McCollum pic.twitter.com/KGgKUasAex. CJ is big on that, backup point guard Jose Alvarado said. Lillard and McCollums relationship actually started because they both dealt with the same foot injury. I guess we got lucky. McCollum knows what its like to play in big games at Moda Center. CJ McCollum Game by Game Stats and Performance | ESPN [66] On January 17, 2022, he made his return from the injury, logging 16 points in a 9888 win over the Orlando Magic. Major League Baseball sent a warning shot on Friday to Republicans considering new laws to restrict voting, pulling its summer All-Star game out of suburban Atlanta in . He is a New Orleans native. 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. Ingram shot a tidy 18-of-29 from the field and didnt record a single turnover in 38 minutes of game action. '. 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. Dynamic duos dont survive nearly a full decade together without learning how to reach peak performance simultaneously. But as long as we remain solid and be us, then we are going to be all right.. Its going to be a roller coaster. And if not, Ill be out there for some meetings anyway. Enter Game Two. [34] On December 10, he set a new career-high of 7 three-pointers made and finished with 34 points scored in a 118111 loss to the Indiana Pacers. By the time the year is over, he will have collected close to $180 million in career earnings. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollums 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. 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. Having convened for an annual photoshoot, the rookie class of 2013 took an NBA.com survey, according to which McCollum was voted the 201314 Rookie of the Year (together with Victor Oladipo). Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. If Im going to be an elite guard, Ive got to pick up full court sometimes and do whatever it takes, McCollum said. However, Portland was then ousted in the second round matchup by the Golden State Warriors, going down 41; though it would come in the 125121 loss that ended the Blazers' postseason run, McCollum recorded his third 27-point game of the playoffs during Game 5.[29]. He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. Channeling his inner Mike Tyson, McCollum delivered one of his more entertaining moments, sharing a fun moment with Lillard and Lisa Salters. 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. 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. Over the first 11 games, McCollum averaged 28.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 47-44-84 splits. )[23] McCollum was able to resume his starting shooting guard role on January 4 as Lillard was back on his feet, returned from injury. Steph and Klay have missed a big chunk of Golden State road games. While we're not even close to seeing who earns a spot on the annual squad, one player who has seemingly been on the fringes of the roster for years is Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum. 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. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollum's 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. Vote for New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum and the rest of the team to help bring real jazz to Utah for the 2023 NBA All-Star game. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. Damian Lillard and Devin Booker are totally understandable choices. Throwing different looks, scrambling (and) multiple efforts.. We look back on their greatest moments together. That lineup looked so active and disruptive together that Green almost has no choice but to consider using it more, especially if Valanciunas continues to sit with his calf issue. Jordan Poole getting on the same star list as teammates Klay Thompson and Curry? "At first, it was weird," Lillard said following the game.. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups." NBA NEWS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, CJ McCollum & New Orleans Pelicans Updates The Pelicans made a visit to the great northwest last season after the trade deadline, but Lillard was sidelined following surgery on his abdominal. 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. We have great human beings in here. 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. [14] McCollum sat out the first six weeks of the regular season with a foot injury. Im going to be more efficient. us, High School: You dont get to have these moments forever. He also missed the Blazers' Nov. 10 trip to New Orleans because of injury management, meaning it took a while for the two longtime teammates to play as opponents. 1 / 23 CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots a three point basket during the game during the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest as part of 2022 NBA All Star. [41] McCollum would play in 80 games and start in all of them while averaging 21.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a night. CJ McCollum was born on September 19, 1991, making him 28 years old as of 2019. [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. Major League Baseball on Friday pulled this year's All-Star Game out of Atlanta in protest of Georgia's new restrictive voting law. 1991 I just do my job. [24] On February 12, he was named among the invites to All-Star Weekend's Three-Point Contest. It paid off tonight, Ingram told The Athletic. Ingram put on a masterclass in controlling an offense while operating within the 15-to-18-foot range. No real explanation why; w/ some players it just never feels smart counting them out.Take a look at his rsum in elimination matchups w/ the Blazers. CJ McCollum diary: 'This is happening far too often in our society Email Christian Clark at cclark@theadvocate.com. "Me knowing him the way I know him, I wanted to make sure we set the tone early.". He was an All-Star just once. 1 in the Western Conference, 51-point performance against Golden State, 41-point second half takeover from Lillard and McCollum, McCollums comments about load management. Try a week on us. He is a willing listener. 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. Still, it was McCollum and the Pelicans who emerged with a key victory in the battle for spots in the Western Conference play-in, snapping a four-game losing streak and moving 1.5 games ahead of the Blazers in the standings. McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "C.J. 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. Game Four remains a positive memory nonetheless. 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. In celebration for those, we look back at eight-and-a-half of their greatest moments in tandem. 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. (Photo of the picture on the wall via Will Guillory / The Athletic). [50] On December 23, in a game against the Warriors, McCollum moved past Damon Stoudamire (717) into fifth on the Blazers' career list for 3-pointers. Vote CJ McCollum 2023 NBA All-Star - YouTube One of the most durable scorers in the game, he finished second in west guard voting last year. [75][76] In a March 2020 episode of the podcast, McCollum was recording when he received news that the NBA was suspending the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more. During his third year in the league in 201516, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player.[1]. Listed at 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 165lb (75kg) as a freshman in 200910, he made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks. 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. So I was just trying to take it all in.. It remains the biggest shot of his career. If not, I am treated very well on the 1st and the 15th. [78] They have one son named Jacobi who was born on January 10, 2022. The Center aims to provide a safe and inspiring space for underserved youth to learn, explore, create, and grow. Indeed, New Orleans later switched to defensive stoppers Herbert Jones, Dyson Daniels and Josh Richardson against Lillard, denying him the basketball in an effort to force other Portland players to beat them. To close with a fun fact: from 2015-16 to 2021-22, only eight players averaged 20+ every season; McCollum and Lillard were the only duo to have done so. 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. On Tuesday, the official NBA All-Star reserves list was released with just two weeks remaining before the game is set to take place. Knowing that if we blitz (Lillard) with Willy and (Jaxson Hayes), what if we go with Herb at the five? Pels coach Willie Green said. [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. McCollum knows he is enough.
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