)[23] McCollum was able to resume his starting shooting guard role on January 4 as Lillard was back on his feet, returned from injury. Portland Trail Blazers: Will CJ McCollum be an All Star in 2021? MLB moving All-Star Game from Georgia in response to new voting laws - CNN We present them here for purely educational purposes. Im going to be more efficient. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:50AM. The 31-year-old guard battled the flu and COVID-19 early this season. The long-term highlight of that Game Two was the play above, with Lillards back-and-forth with Westbrook serving as an entertaining backdrop of this series. Last Call for Blazers Edge Night Help (Please?). [51] On December 30, he broke out of a six-game funk by hitting 13 of 18 shots in a 35-point performance as the Trail Blazers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 12995. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups.". With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. My job is to take advantage of them.. Do you have a sports website? For the Blazers, then 29-37, injury-riddled and flawed, this meant that they had nearly a half-year to lick their wounds, reassess their situation, and most of all, figure out how they would stay within striking distance of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies for a shot at a Western Conference Play-In Game. John Amis/Associated Press. McCollum is not an out-of-the-blue candidate either. Gabor won zero championships. He hit a franchise-record 11 3-pointers in a Dec. 30 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and he is now up to 40.3% shooting from distance on 7.4 attempts per game. Thinking about some of the other elite duos of this time think Harden-Westbrook, Embiid-Simmons, etc its remarkable that there was never a story in which jealousy or insecurity came about. But he doesnt need anyones validation, acknowledgement or praise to fuel his passion for basketball. 6 overall in 2012, they took McCollum with another lottery pick (No. He has made 55/114 (48%) of his three-pointers but has committed 46 turnovers. Its going to be a roller coaster. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. The 3.9 pull-up jumpers hes making per contest are the 10th-most in the NBA. [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. 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. [38] In a 122113 victory over Denver on March 28, McCollum finished with a 39-point tally. [19] In the season-opener on October 25, he put up 25 points to help defeat the Utah Jazz, 113104. That means sometimes I might have it going, but hes the closer. Pelicans Drop In The West At The Hands Of The Warriors . [10] McCollum went on to graduate from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.[11][12]. I get paid like an All-Star, McCollum said. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. pic.twitter.com/xg2mvYWjBX. McCollum played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks and was named the Patriot League Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2012. But we just care about each other. The former NBA Most Improved Player in 2015-16 has. The teams record since then, including play-in tournament and playoff games, is 44-35. Throwing different looks, scrambling (and) multiple efforts.. A key component that made the Lillard-McCollum pairing so alluring came in just how available they made themselves in off-court settings. 4. The Pelicans handled that pressure and played like the more desperate team, withstanding a 41-point outburst from Lillard to hold on to a 121-110 victory. McCollum knows what its like to play in big games at Moda Center. As McCollum dressed at his locker, Jaxson Hayes screamed, Second team All-Defense, CJ McCollum! It was the second time hes scored at least 40 points in a game without logging a turnover. He has nine years of those experiences working alongside Damian Lillard. [48], Across 70 games, starting in all of them, McCollum would average 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the season. [40], McCollum missed the opener of the 201718 season due to a single-game suspension incurred when he left the bench area once during a preseason game. 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. Two nights later, he had 38 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics. [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. And he didn't even spend his whole time with that team wearing the number they retired in his honor. And if not, Ill be out there for some meetings anyway. 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. 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. CJ McCollum shows off vision with nice pass vs. Atlanta Hawks. [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. 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. CJ . [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. For reference: the Blazers had gone 1-12 in the 13 postseason games prior, leaving them short on confidence among the national media. Ingram admitted after the win that he knows the margin of error is small for the Pels as they attempt to stay above water with all the injuries popping up. 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. 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. [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. News: 1 day ago McCollum registered 24 points (9-19 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds and seven assists across 36 minutes during Wednesday's 121-110 victory over the Trail Blazers. NEW ORLEANS, La. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? As such, he saw his minutes increase to 34.8 per contest, and he started in all 80 games that he played. While they are out, the Pelicans rely heavily on McCollums ability to create something out of nothing. [82] McCollum also helps foster local youths' interest in journalists through an initiative called CJ's Press Pass; it grants aspiring journalists access to postgame news conferences and provides them the opportunity to attend events with McCollum, to receive personalized mentorship from members of the media, and to have their work published. 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. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. It's about respecting the game, playing hard and giving all you've got.". He just doesn't know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or. Will Guillory is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the New Orleans Pelicans. "Obviously, that's a tough matchup," McCollum said. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. My teammates did a good job of finding me and giving me those opportunities. Desperate times may call for desperate measures. McCollum's 'Healthy Habits': Yoga, Wine and Podcasting", "CJ McCollum reacts to NBA suspending season, remains hopeful that season will resume", "New Orleans Pelicans' CJ McCollum joining ESPN as an NBA analyst", "CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito's Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country", "CJ and Elise McCollum welcome son Jacobi James McCollum", "C.J. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. [33] On November 20, McCollum scored 33 points and hit a career-high 6 three-pointers, to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 129109. 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. A glimpse into the future Game 4, 2015 West First Round vs. MEM. McCollum's own teammate Damian Lillard is a four-time All-Star who is also at the height of his ability. And, as the old saying goes, the best ability is availability. Locked in on defense! from a few chairs down. Watch CJ McCollum drop 40 on Spurs, help Pelicans snap four-game losing [20], Exercising their fourth-year team option on September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers extended McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 201617 season. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. 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. [46] He joined Damian Lillard, Damon Stoudamire, Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Clyde Drexler and Geoff Petrie as Trail Blazers to score 50 points or more. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. 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. Maybe, the former Most Improved Player will finally get the first All-Star nod of his career. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Staying confident in everything that Im doing. It was kind of getting back to how we play.. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant (2001-02), Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (17, 18, 19), and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (2020-21). 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. By this point, the Blazers, once 30-8 and No. [49] On December 12, he matched his season high with 40 points during a 9283 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Instagram: Zion Williamson is sitting fourth in the Western Conference frontcourt tallies. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. [7], Over his four collegiate years, McCollum added 30 pounds of muscle to fill out his frame. 'Felt like practice': Lillard, McCollum square off, 'Not going out this way': Nets, down 28, stun C's, Kerr touts 5-0 homestand: Dubs 'turned a corner', KD: Mavs tilt, Kyrie meeting 'just another game', Owner: Snyder, Fields will bring Hawks success, Isaac has surgery on adductor, done for season, Clips' Powell out at least a week to treat shoulder, LeBron to have tendon injury checked in 3 weeks. He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. Portland Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum's All-Star argument - Hoops Habit CJ McCollum - Basketball-Reference.com It is happy to see Lillard being a part of the All-star game a reserve, but we all would have loved seeing Anything and McCollum join their teammate in Atlanta on March 7. 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 mean. You know what Im saying? [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. 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. For the first time in 16 months, that pairing this generations most impactful Blazers duo will share the floor together once more in what promises to be an emotional outing. We came out and just competed, played hard. One of the most durable scorers in the game, he finished second in west guard voting last year. The two provided multiple avenues for which the fanbase could connect. Mar 27, 2022 4:52 PM EDT. A couple hundred tickets remain, and three days. Listed at 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 165lb (75kg) as a freshman in 200910, he made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks. Long before they teamed up in Portland, McCollum (Lehigh University) and Lillard (Weber State University) took turns leading the nation in scoring. "It's cool to compete against your peers and your friends and people that you respect and you worked with. [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. If not, I am treated very well on the 1st and the 15th. PORTLAND -- After playing more than 500 regular-season games together as teammates with the Portland Trail Blazers, guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum squared off against each other for the first time Wednesday, more than a year after McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2022. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the tenth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. 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 SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. I know this is something that doesnt last forever, McCollum shared after the victory. McCollum had 24 points and teamed with Brandon Ingram, who scored a season-high 40, to either score or assist on 29 of New Orleans' 31 points in the fourth quarter. When that swap with the Portland Trail Blazers was finalized on Feb. 8, New Orleans record was 22-32. Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, & Rodney Hood combined for 87 PTS as the Blazers won at home last night to force a Game 7! Latest on New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ McCollum including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN. CJ McCollum is one of the most under-appreciated stars in the NBA. 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. NBA.com is part of Warner . Learn more and register. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. [3], McCollum played at the private research school Lehigh University for four seasons. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollums 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. Things got even more difficult as Lillard repeatedly roasted Willy Hernangomez, forcing the replacement Pelicans center to move his feet out in space. He is one of the best players of his generation to have never earned a nod. Coaches, players, and the media already have the utmost respect for McCollum. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 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. CJ McCollum questionable for Wednesday road game at Lakers If it happens, thats great. [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. The 2021 All Star Game in Indianapolis is still almost a year away. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game.. That didn't stop Lillard from scoring 41 points, his 13th time this season with 40-plus. Dynamic duos dont survive nearly a full decade together without learning how to reach peak performance simultaneously. He spent half his six-year (plus three games of a seventh season) career coming off the bench. 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. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game. The Pelicans (26-17) still sit in third place in the West. The first-ever Playoffs series win vs. the Clippers in 2016. It has been almost one year since the Pelicans traded for McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3), shown here driving against Brooklyn Nets forward TJ Warren at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, will be back home with his teammates Wednesday night following a five-game road trip, as the Pels take on the Miami Heat. Photos: CJ McCollum at 2022 NBA AllStar Weekend Portland Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum is a surefire All-Star in 2021 McCollum played high school basketball for the Golden Eagles at GlenOak High School in his native city of Canton, Ohio. A wave to instruct the crowd to get loud followed. Join our linker program. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Jonas Valanciunas also missed Wednesdays game with a left calf contusion, and McCollum is playing through a thumb injury. Can you help us send children in need to see the Blazers play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, March 29th? [4] He was the leading freshman scorer in the nation and the first player in Patriot League history to be named conference Player and Rookie of the Year. Ive got to set the precedent on how we got to compete on both ends. In celebration for those, we look back at eight-and-a-half of their greatest moments in tandem. [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. On defense, the lead guard has snatched 13 steals and even gotten 8 blocks. 8 (428) and No. Pick Your Poison The 2019 Western Conference Semifinals Duel vs. DEN. 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. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. Ingram put on a masterclass in controlling an offense while operating within the 15-to-18-foot range. McCollum checked Haynes for being among those who didnt expect the pairing to work when they first started, highlighting some of the chip on their shoulder approaches that Portland fans have come to know all too well. [18] For his sophomore season, he played 15.7 minutes per outing while averaging 6.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1 assist across 62 games. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. 7. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Stepping Up to the Champs Game 1, 2017 West First Round vs. GSW. [24] On February 12, he was named among the invites to All-Star Weekend's Three-Point Contest. "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. 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. Fighting merely to avoid being swept at the Moda Center, the Blazers brought pride and energy, largely through their talented guard grouping. Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks Second Half Here! 6. The organization is doing a good job of picking its characters up.. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports. Then Ill enjoy a nice vacation with my wife. The other names on the list are questionable at best. [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. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The finale for both teams prior to the NBA All-Star break will tip off at 9 p.m. Central and will be broadcast by Bally Sports, ESPN and 99.5 FM. That spring of 2019 was something else, was it not? Despite his stature, McCollum played varsity as a freshman for the Golden Eagles, relying on his athleticism. As a freshman in 2005, he was considerably undersized, standing at only 5ft 2in (1.57m). McCollum is making $33.3 million this season. Lillard, ultimately named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Restart in the Orlando bubble, wasnt lacking in motivation. Why CJ McCollum is the most underappreciated superstar in the NBA Obviously, thats a tough matchup for anybody. CJ McCollum averages 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. CJ McCollum Has Reached All-Star Status - thecoldwire.com [55] McCollum missed 10 games over late March and early April with a left knee injury. 1. CJ McCollum's first game against Damian Lillard yields much-needed Damian Lillard spoke about the Blazers trading CJ McCollum pic.twitter.com/KGgKUasAex. McCollum led the Mountain Hawks to the 2010 NCAA tournament, where he put up 26 points in a first-round loss to a top-seeded Kansas team. Taking care of business for the players. -The first set of fan votes are in for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. closest McCollum's come to the All-Star courts were the 2016 and 2017 three-point contests. CJ McCollum on potentially making the All-Star game this year: "I get paid like an All-Star" 12 Jan 2023 03:28:42 He is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. CJ McCollum is getting snubbed in the NBA All-Star Game fan vote. I just do my job. McCollum moved into the starting lineup for good in 2015-16, joining Lillard in the backcourt, and they teamed to lead Portland to playoff appearances each of the next five seasons, highlighted by a trip to the 2019 Western Conference finals. [21] With four of Portland's previous startersLaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, and Robin Lopezhaving departed, only star point guard Damian Lillard remained; thus McCollum was elevated to starting shooting guard to join Lillard in the backcourt for the 201516 campaign. 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. 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].