A consummate student of journalism, McCollum penned an article for Sporting News explaining why he opted to continue on with his education. The 31-year-old guard battled the flu and COVID-19 early this season. us, High School: 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. The Last Hurrah OT Duel vs. Hardens Rockets Dec. 26, 2020. The ball was in his hands down the stretch, I had no problem with it win or lose. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups.". On July 27, 2016, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with Portland. 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. If it happens, thats great. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Im going to be more efficient. 1 in minutes played (15,750) with McCollum at No. As a freshman in 2005, he was considerably undersized, standing at only 5ft 2in (1.57m). Glen Oak in Canton, Ohio, Draft: Instagram: In celebration for those, we look back at eight-and-a-half of their greatest moments in tandem. Desperate times may call for desperate measures. Just staying consistent in playing super hard all the time, forward Herb Jones told The Athletic. 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. [77], McCollum has been married to his college sweetheart Elise Esposito since October 27, 2020. Off the court, McCollum has long taken a keen interest in journalism. 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. 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. But he doesnt need anyones validation, acknowledgement or praise to fuel his passion for basketball. He came out with the kind of desperate mindset McCollum called for pregame, but he didnt allow that to translate into recklessness. CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. Listed at 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 165lb (75kg) as a freshman in 200910, he made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks. [33] On November 20, McCollum scored 33 points and hit a career-high 6 three-pointers, to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 129109. Theres: (1) The Rodney Hood Game, the 4OT thriller in Game Three, (3) The CJ McCollum Game, the Game 7 comeback. From 2015-16 to 2020-21, Lillard was No. He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. 10). Obviously, thats a tough matchup for anybody. 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. In sickness and health, McCollum rains jumpers. If McCollum makes his first All-Star appearance next month, he would happily play. Hes done just that over his last 10 outings, averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 51 percent shooting from the field, 39 percent from 3 and 88 percent from the free-throw line, Just playing free. The New Orleans Pelicans are in California to face off with the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening, and for the game they could be without their star shooting guard. While on the sidelines during a break in the action, McCollum caught a glimpse of the Smoothie King Center jumbotron. The teams record since then, including play-in tournament and playoff games, is 44-35. Christian James McCollum Despite. '. [78] They have one son named Jacobi who was born on January 10, 2022. But desperation also provides a much-needed opportunity to think outside the box and generate positive results. [47] In Game 4 of the Trail Blazers' first-round playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans, McCollum scored 38 points in a 131123 loss. Can you help us send children in need to see the Blazers play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, March 29th? CJ McCollum shows off vision with nice pass vs. Atlanta Hawks. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. McCollum: Why I'm returning to Lehigh for my senior year", "McCollum breaks record in 9177 win at Sacred Heart", "Hulls Named Finalist for Senior CLASS Award", "Lehigh alum C.J. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. You can get full details here or simply visit the Trail Blazers ticket site and click Buying Options to donate a ticket or two! Among some highlights: The chemistry proved tangible. While Lillard ended up scoring 41 points, he was less effective as the game progressed. When Dame was out this year, his usage spiked and he put up great numbers. [3], McCollum played at the private research school Lehigh University for four seasons. That's what the game is about. Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard, who was snubbed as an All-Star starter, was a shoe-in. McCollum led New Orleans in scoring with 25 points, but the team's offense floundered in the second half. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Gabor won zero championships. He attended Glendora High School in Glendora, California, where he played basketball. Now McCollum has the opportunity to step into a bigger role at least until Ingram returns and the pair can build off of their playoff chemistry. Circumstances are undoubtedly different since that culture-changing Feb. 6, 2022 deal that sent McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans. He is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. 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. 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. When one didnt have it, the other did, as evidenced by each of them averaging 25+ over the seven-game series. Ingram also made his presence felt on defense with active off-ball rotations and solid on-ball work 1-on-1. He was an All-Star just once. [46] On March 28, McCollum had a 42-point effort, which came in a 108103 loss to the Grizzlies. [9] On January 5, 2013, McCollum broke his left foot in a game against Virginia Commonwealth University, ending his season early. It has been almost one year since the Pelicans traded for McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. [32] During a 10094 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on November 6, he matched his earlier career-high by racking up 37 points. So I was just trying to take it all in.. The Pelicans star forward finished the win with a season-high 40 points while also chipping in six rebounds and five assists. This stood in contrast to the previous regime of Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, with the latter being more reclusive, or that of say, Rasheed Wallace and Scottie Pippen, given the Jail Blazers storyline and the subsequent temperature of the media. The Rachel Nichols interview ahead of the 2019 Playoffs. All eyes were on McCollum and Lillard going into this game as they shared the court for the first time since last Februarys trade. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. CJ McCollum averages 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. [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. 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. The days and weeks to come wouldnt be as celebratory. McCollum has a podcast studio in his home and brings portable recording equipment with him when he is out of town. 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. 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. inCanton,Ohio 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. His shooting percentages dipped to 39.9 percent from the field, as did Lehigh's record, and McCollum was edged out for conference Player of the Year honors by Mike Muscala of the Bucknell Bisons. once 30-8 and No. The only thing holding CJ back from being an allstar is Dame. [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. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the tenth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. If its in Gods plan for it to happen, so be it, McCollum said. [7], Over his four collegiate years, McCollum added 30 pounds of muscle to fill out his frame. I dont know what it is. You could argue I should have made it in previous years. After . We were able to get to it and we liked what we saw. "At first, it was weird," Lillard said after the 121-110 loss to New Orleans. The historic, 68-point, 23-assist game the two had against Sacramento on Jan. 14, 2021. [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. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. The series itself wasnt anything to speak of, but it served as one of the many times in which anything felt possible because both players were on at the same time. Steph Curry and Luka Doncic as the top two backcourt options makes complete sense. Zion Williamson (9) and Brandon Ingram (23) have missed a combined 32 games and counting. [36] In a game on January 13, a 115109 loss to the Orlando Magic, he posted 26 points to extended his streak of games with 25-plus points to eight in a row, the third-longest in Blazers' history (only Geoff Petrie with 11 and Clyde Drexler with 9 games have had longer among Blazers players. Game Four remains a positive memory nonetheless. CJ McCollum has started the 2021 season on a high. 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 knows he is enough. Had he stayed healthy, he surely would be a top-10 guard in the Western Conference. 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. Coaches, players, and the media already have the utmost respect for McCollum. Tonight marks the first-ever game between Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant (2001-02), Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (17, 18, 19), and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (2020-21). By this point, the Blazers, once 30-8 and No. Data Provided By [24] On February 12, he was named among the invites to All-Star Weekend's Three-Point Contest. McCollum is sinking 1.4 pull-up 3s per game this season, almost one more than the next-closest Pelican. 7 in minutes played (15,030). For Lillard and McCollum, that cohesion was at its most prolific in the spring of 2019. Taking care of business for the players. 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. Jan 4, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) reacts to a three point shot against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at Smoothie King Center. He was a 201213 Senior CLASS Award finalist. Not just great basketball players. New Orleans 10-year veteran guard CJ McCollum was sidelined during Monday's win at Oklahoma City due to a right ankle sprain, and is listed as questionable to play Wednesday against the Los. C.J. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. "Obviously, that's a tough matchup," McCollum said. The list of things going right for Portland is pretty small. CJ McCollum however, 12-veteran and NBPA President, has never made an NBA All-Star Game and is again getting looked over by the fan voters. CJ McCollum has made at least $147,980,107 playing professional basketball. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. I am going to make plays. Damian Lillard. CJ McCollum Getting Snubbed in NBA All-Star Voting - Sports Illustrated New Orleans Pelicans News, Analysis, and More CJ McCollum Getting Snubbed By NBA All-Star Game Voters CJ. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. Twitter: -The first set of fan votes are in for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. By the time the year is over, he will have collected close to $180 million in career earnings. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. 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. Despite averaging 26.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from three, all career highs, McCollum's name was missing from the list of reserves for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. 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. During his third year in the league in 2015-16, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player [1] . Keeping both highlight-reel makers and opposing defenses awake and working late in the night, the duo injected a jolt of energy into the Portland fanbase, lacing up for over 500 games together from 2014 to 2022. McCollum has repeatedly stressed not being too reactive to the ebbs and flows of the NBA season, a message that has permeated throughout the roster. He is a willing listener. He picked apart every coverage the Blazers threw at him and turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. McCollum put together the first of what would become a long list of elite performances in win-or-go-home games, many of those shots illustrated here: Ive got this odd suspicion that CJ McCollum is bounce back with one of his greater games tonight in Game 6. 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. You know what Im saying? It was the second time hes scored at least 40 points in a game without logging a turnover. [48], Across 70 games, starting in all of them, McCollum would average 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the season.
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