We kind of had it in our back pocket. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. To two undersized mid-major guards who had made a career out of outpunching their weight, though, odds meant little. 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. But desperation also provides a much-needed opportunity to think outside the box and generate positive results. 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. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollum's 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. 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? Tonight marks the first-ever game between Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. [27] McCollum would subsequently earn NBA Most Improved Player honors for his breakout 201516 season. On a contending Rockets team, Harden is one of the most popular players in the game and already a seven-time All-Star. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. 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. It remains the biggest shot of his career. Theres no easy pick which game led to the fastest heartbeat; each was packed with pressure and high-stakes implications. Join our linker program. Im always focused on getting to my spots and knocking down the shots I work on every day in the gym. While accolades are great, McCollum values being a good person and helping his team win over making it to the big game. 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. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game. 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. We came out and just competed, played hard. Ingram put on a shot-making clinic against a Portland defense that could not prevent him from getting anywhere he wanted. us, High School: 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. He attended Glendora High School in Glendora, California, where he played basketball. 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. [72] On December 30, McCollum scored 42 points on 11 three-pointers in a 127116 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. (31-33, 10th place in NBA Western Conference). Just long, athletic guys all over the place. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. He is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. 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. We present them here for purely educational purposes. New Orleans 10-year veteran guard CJ McCollum was sidelined during Mondays win at Oklahoma City due to a right ankle sprain, and is listed as questionable to play Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. 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. Ingram's personal update explained how it would be hard to tell exactly when he'd be ready. CJ McCollum is one of the most under-appreciated stars in the NBA. 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. I get paid like an All-Star, McCollum said. CJ McCollum on potentially making the All-Star game this year: "I get paid like an All-Star" 12 Jan 2023 03:28:42 Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard, who was snubbed as an All-Star starter, was a shoe-in. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. McCollum is not an out-of-the-blue candidate either. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. 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. 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. You know what Im saying? The fact that each guard played in 90+ percent of the games they shared together. [3], McCollum played at the private research school Lehigh University for four seasons. Damian Lillard spoke about the Blazers trading CJ McCollum pic.twitter.com/KGgKUasAex. Per NBA.com, the lineup of McCollum, Ingram, Jones, Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy outscored the Pelicans by nine points in the eight minutes it played. [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. Lillard could offer some advice on how to deal with it. 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. That spring of 2019 was something else, was it not? Latest on New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ McCollum including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN. 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. He just doesn't know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or. Things got even more difficult as Lillard repeatedly roasted Willy Hernangomez, forcing the replacement Pelicans center to move his feet out in space. [4], As a sophomore in 201011, McCollum increased his averages to 21.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per outing. "At first, it was weird," Lillard said after the 121-110 loss to New Orleans. NEW ORLEANS, La. 1991 The organization is doing a good job of picking its characters up.. CJ McCollum has made at least $147,980,107 playing professional basketball. 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. Despite not elevating Portland to a championship, Dame and CJ provided the small-market Blazers relevance within the national media, highlighted by their hour-long, exclusive sit down with Yahoo Sports Senior NBA Insider (then of ESPN) in Chris Haynes. Among some highlights: The chemistry proved tangible. CJ McCollumhas averaged 32.4 points, 8.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 8 games without Damian Lillardthis season. 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 not, I am treated very well on the 1st and the 15th. After starting the game 5/8 from the three-point line, the Pelicans finished just 5/21. As McCollum dressed at his locker, Jaxson Hayes screamed, Second team All-Defense, CJ McCollum! [81], McCollum is involved in his community as a radio personality and philanthropist. [17], On October 27, 2014, Portland exercised their third-year team option to extended McCollum's rookie scale contract through 201516. [59] Portland went on to lose the Conference Finals in a four-game sweep to the Warriors. I think that was the desperation we need to play with moving forward. He picked apart every coverage the Blazers threw at him and turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. [76], On May 30, 2022, McCollum signed a multiplatform deal with ESPN to be an NBA analyst. 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. He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. 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. [84], 20182022: Conference Finals and last years in Portland, Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 03:34, "Lehigh Mountain Hawks 2009 Player Commits", List of National Basketball Association career 3-point scoring leaders, List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career scoring leaders, "CJ McCollum Named Kia Most Improved Player", "Blazers send thanks to Aldridge, Matthews, Batum, and Lopez", "Patriot League Men's Basketball All-League Teams and Awards Announced", "201112 Men's Basketball All-Patriot League Teams and Major Awards Announced", "NCAA basketball: Lehigh pulls off monumental upset of Duke", "C.J. Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. 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. Coaches, players, and the media already have the utmost respect for McCollum. While Lillard ended up scoring 41 points, he was less effective as the game progressed. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. He never made an All-NBA Team. [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. That, along with a disruptive defender in Jones, led to remarkable results. If you look at the numbers, Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is easily an All-Star caliber player. [62] McCollum matched his season-high on March 2, scoring 41 points in a 130107 win over the Orlando Magic. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. [3] In his very first game as a junior, McCollum came away with 54 points to set both school and Stark County records. Taking care of business for the players. 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. He played and started in 31 contests and shot 39.9 percent from the field. pic.twitter.com/xg2mvYWjBX. [39] The Blazers finished the regular season with a 4141 record and entered the playoffs as the eighth seed. 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. "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. Lillard and McCollums relationship actually started because they both dealt with the same foot injury. [64] On August 7, 2021, McCollum was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, succeeding Chris Paul who had served since 2013. [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. Try a week on us. McCollum deserves the honor and has time to prove it this season. Afterward, Alvarado said New Orleans stars not having inflated egos is part of why the team has a strong locker room. CJ McCollum was drafted by Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Shaquille ONeal and Kobe Bryant (2001-02), Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (17, 18, 19), and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (2020-21). He scored 34 points in Mondays win over the Washington Wizards. Obviously, thats a tough matchup for anybody. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. 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. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollums 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. [9] On January 5, 2013, McCollum broke his left foot in a game against Virginia Commonwealth University, ending his season early. Damian Lillard and Devin Booker are totally understandable choices. 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. Game Four remains a positive memory nonetheless. [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. As a freshman in 2005, he was considerably undersized, standing at only 5ft 2in (1.57m).