If it happens, thats great. For nearly a full decade, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum shared the backcourt for the Portland Trail Blazers, staking their claim as one of the NBAs most potent 1-2 punches. Christian James McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). "It's cool to compete against your peers and your friends and people that you respect and you worked with. [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. [72] On December 30, McCollum scored 42 points on 11 three-pointers in a 127116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. 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. 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. While accolades are great, McCollum values being a good person and helping his team win over making it to the big game. He just doesn't know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or. [59] Portland went on to lose the Conference Finals in a four-game sweep to the Warriors. Given McCollums comments about load management, and how the players were supposed to agree to which games they would sit, its clear that both fought to be on the floor as much as possible. 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. Channeling his inner Mike Tyson, McCollum delivered one of his more entertaining moments, sharing a fun moment with Lillard and Lisa Salters. That's borderline laughable but, as with real estate's main rule, location dictates that's just how it goes sometimes for small-market stars. C.J. If its in Gods plan for it to happen, so be it, McCollum said. Unfortunately CJ McCollum has fallen victim of being one of the outsiders looking at the All-Star Game through a pane of glass unfairly. The year after the Blazers drafted Lillard No. [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. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. 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. 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. Data Provided By March 4, 2023, 12:40 AM. Its going to be a roller coaster. He spent half his six-year (plus three games of a seventh season) career coming off the bench. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Can you help us send children in need to see the Blazers play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, March 29th? 8. [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. Lillard helped bridge the gap between award-winning hip-hop artist and one of the faces of Adidas. Twitter: Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. John Amis/Associated Press. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports. You dont get to have these moments forever. He is a New Orleans native. 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. 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. The fans obliged and the Pelicans saw out a 127-116 home win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Even beyond the emotional stakes of McCollum and Lillards first meeting as opponents, New Orleans needed this win to hold off a team now neck-and-neck with them in the playoff race. 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. Ingram shot a tidy 18-of-29 from the field and didnt record a single turnover in 38 minutes of game action. In 2016, he opened up the CJ McCollum Dream Center, which is an innovative learning room at the Blazers Boys & Girls Club outfitted with new computers, books, art, and learning tools. 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. 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. 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. As McCollum dressed at his locker, Jaxson Hayes screamed, Second team All-Defense, CJ McCollum! In these cases, the average was taken. The Rachel Nichols interview ahead of the 2019 Playoffs. [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. 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. [3] In his very first game as a junior, McCollum came away with 54 points to set both school and Stark County records. McCollum is sinking 1.4 pull-up 3s per game this season, almost one more than the next-closest Pelican. NBA.com is part of Warner . [66] On January 17, 2022, he made his return from the injury, logging 16 points in a 9888 win over the Orlando Magic. Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. Sports Illustrated's 38th-best player last season has also been humble in the biggest moments since joining the New Orleans Pelicans, both collectively and individually. 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 know what Im saying? 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. The 3.9 pull-up jumpers hes making per contest are the 10th-most in the NBA. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. A glimpse into the future Game 4, 2015 West First Round vs. MEM. 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. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. 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. [69] On April 13, during the NBA Play-In Tournament, McCollum recorded 32 points, six rebounds, and seven assists leading the Pelicans past the San Antonio Spurs 113103 and advancing New Orleans to the eight seed game. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. Like Lillard, McCollum compared the experience to playing against each other in scrimmages. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. [10] McCollum went on to graduate from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.[11][12]. It . Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. home/away, monthly, etc More CJ McCollum Basketball Reference pages, 2022-23 Pelicans [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. My job is to take advantage of them.. [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. But I think its about team success. Damian Lillard spoke about the Blazers trading CJ McCollum pic.twitter.com/KGgKUasAex. 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 first-ever Playoffs series win vs. the Clippers in 2016. [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. 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. For reference: the Blazers had gone 1-12 in the 13 postseason games prior, leaving them short on confidence among the national media. 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. 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. I think that was the desperation we need to play with moving forward. CJ McCollum was born on September 19, 1991, making him 28 years old as of 2019. Vote here: https://n. Despite his stature, McCollum played varsity as a freshman for the Golden Eagles, relying on his athleticism. Circumstances are undoubtedly different since that culture-changing Feb. 6, 2022 deal that sent McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans. When Dame was out this year, his usage spiked and he put up great numbers. [20], Exercising their fourth-year team option on September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers extended McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 201617 season. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. That means sometimes I might have it going, but hes the closer. The list of things going right for Portland is pretty small. [76], On May 30, 2022, McCollum signed a multiplatform deal with ESPN to be an NBA analyst. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. Its all the work I put in. Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard, who was snubbed as an All-Star starter, was a shoe-in. [46] On March 28, McCollum had a 42-point effort, which came in a 108103 loss to the Grizzlies. CJ McCollum was born on September 19, 1991. Among some highlights: The chemistry proved tangible. 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. [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. [45] During a game on January 31, as Portland defeated the Bulls, 124108, McCollum scored a franchise-record 28 points in the first quarter alone, and he finished with a career-high 50 points in only three periods before heading to the bench for the fourth. That forced Green to try something different. Two nights later, he had 38 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics. 8 (428) and No. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Im always focused on getting to my spots and knocking down the shots I work on every day in the gym. Zion Williamson (9) and Brandon Ingram (23) have missed a combined 32 games and counting. Dame Lillard (34) & CJ McCollum (41) combine for 75 @TrailBlazers points. [5] Also, he was an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollums 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. In his season debut on October 20, he put up 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting to lead his team past the Indiana Pacers, 11496. [28], McCollum helped the Blazers claim victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, 42, in the first round of the playoffs. Im going to be more efficient. The peak of the powers game, simultaneously, would likely be Game Six, in which McCollum (30 points, six rebounds) and Lillard (32 points, five assists, six 3-pointers) matched both efficiency and a feel for the moment, the former of which they sometimes struggled with.

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