He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the tenth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. It remains the biggest shot of his career. once 30-8 and No. CJ . Maybe, the former Most Improved Player will finally get the first All-Star nod of his career. I dont know what it is. (Photo of the picture on the wall via Will Guillory / The Athletic). 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. [25] On April 5, he posted his eighth 30-point game of the season, during a 115107 win over Sacramento. Decade-long rulers of the Western Conference, the Warriors and more specifically, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson became the litmus test the Lillard-McCollum pairing would be based judged against. McCollum finished the night with 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, but it wasnt his offensive performance that left his teammates giddy after the buzzer. He just doesnt know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or if his trip to Salt Lake City will serve a dual purpose. He has nine years of those experiences working alongside Damian Lillard. 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. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. 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. When that swap with the Portland Trail Blazers was finalized on Feb. 8, New Orleans record was 22-32. C.J. CJMcCollum The 2021 All Star Game in Indianapolis is still almost a year away. Before Wednesdays matchup, McCollum said the Pelicans were desperate for a win after losing four in a row amid an epic nosedive in the standings. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. You know what Im saying? 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. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. McCollum: 'More than just a basketball player', "Magic's Oladipo among rookie favorites to stand out in 201314", "Trail Blazers assign CJ McCollum to D-League", "Trail Blazers Exercise Team Options On Meyers Leonard And CJ McCollum", "Grizzlies advance, beating Trail Blazers 9993 in Game 5", "Trail Blazers Exercise Team Options On McCollum, Plumlee and Vonleh", "McCollum scores 37 as Blazers down Pelicans 11294", "McCollum scores 35 as Trail Blazers beat Kings 9894", "Randolph leads Grizzlies to 9178 win over Trail Blazers", "CJ McCollum to Compete in Foot Locker Three-Point Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend", "McCollum has 30 as Trail Blazers beat Kings 115107", "Playoff destination sealed, Blazers beat Nuggets 10799", "Blazers' McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "Splash Brothers Curry, Thompson send Warriors to West finals", "Trail Blazers Sign CJ McCollum to Contract Extension", "Lillard scores 39, Blazers run home-opening win streak to 16", "Lillard hits floater, Blazers beat Nuggets 115113 in OT", "McCollum matches career high, Blazers beat Grizzlies 10094", "McCollum scores 33 points, Trail Blazers beat Nets 129109", "George has 37 points to lead Pacers over Blazers 118111", "McCollum has 43 points, Trail Blazers top Timberwolves 9589", "Vucevic's season-high 30 lead Magic past Blazers, 115109", "McCollum's winner sends Blazers past Mavs 114113", "Blazers beat Nuggets to take 1-game lead for 8th seed", "Durant shines in Warriors playoff debut in Game 1 win", "Blazers hand Suns worst loss ever in season opener, 12476", "McCollum's scores 28 in Blazers' 11496 win over Pacers", "Evans, Conley help Grizzlies hold off Trail Blazers 9897", "McCollum helps Blazers to 108105 comeback win over Wizards", "McCollum scores 32, leads Blazers over Bulls 124120 in OT", "McCollum scores 50 in 3 quarters, Blazers beat Bulls 124108", "MarShon Brooks scores 21 as Grizzlies beat Blazers 108103", "Davis' 47 points leads Pelicans to sweep of Trail Blazers", "McCollum scores 40 as Trail Blazers beat Bucks 118103", "Conley leads late rally as Grizzlies defeat Portland 9283", "Lillard scores 33, Trail Blazers top Mavericks 121118 in OT", "McCollum leads Trail Blazers in 12995 rout of 76ers", "George nets 36, Westbrook 29 as Thunder tops Blazers 123114", "McCollum has triple-double, Trail Blazers beat Hawks 120111", "Leonard hits winner, Raptors beat Trail Blazers 119117", "Lillard scores 30 points, Trail Blazers beat Nuggets 115108", "Blazers go up 21 after 140137 win in 4 OTs over Denver", "Blazers force Game 7 with 119108 victory over Denver", "McCollum leads Blazers past Nuggets 10096", "Warriors beat Blazers 119117 in OT for NBA Finals berth", "Trail Blazers vs. John Amis/Associated Press. [59] Portland went on to lose the Conference Finals in a four-game sweep to the Warriors. The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. 1 in the Western Conference had become more of an unfortunate What If story. [5] Also, he was an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. 7. But its more about team success.. [79] McCollum's older brother, Errick, is also a professional basketball player. Before joining The Athletic, he was a writer at The Times-Picayune/NOLA Media Group, and he's been on the Pelicans beat since 2016. 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. CJ McCollum was born on September 19, 1991. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. A small-market team and a mid-major star: There's no more perfect union in the NBA. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. McCollum has a podcast studio in his home and brings portable recording equipment with him when he is out of town. For the season, he would average 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a night across 80 games. And, as the old saying goes, the best ability is availability. He is a willing listener. 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. If Im going to be an elite guard, Ive got to pick up full court sometimes and do whatever it takes, McCollum said. Christian James McCollum Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. [66] On January 17, 2022, he made his return from the injury, logging 16 points in a 9888 win over the Orlando Magic. 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. When one didnt have it, the other did, as evidenced by each of them averaging 25+ over the seven-game series. Because so many special moments followed each other, one after another in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals, well cheat. That's what the game is about. [46] On March 28, McCollum had a 42-point effort, which came in a 108103 loss to the Grizzlies. [64] On August 7, 2021, McCollum was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, succeeding Chris Paul who had served since 2013. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. I know this is something that doesnt last forever, McCollum shared after the victory. [3] Even though he was already considered virtually destined to be a top NBA draft pick by his third year, he decided to finish his final year of college instead of leaving sooner for the NBA. 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. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. If it happens, thats great. 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. [7], Over his four collegiate years, McCollum added 30 pounds of muscle to fill out his frame. Thus far, it is 2-2 even though three of its normal starters Williamson, Ingram and Herb Jones have all missed multiple games. 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. 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. Both are generational talents with name recognition having good to outstanding seasons so that cache and respect goes a long way with NBA fans. 'I get paid like an All-Star. '. 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. CJ McCollum ( New Orleans Pelicans) with a 3-pointer vs the Golden State Warriors, 03/03/2023. 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. (31-33, 10th place in NBA Western Conference). Off the court, McCollum has long taken a keen interest in journalism. That didnt stop the Blazers duo from putting together signature moments in the process. Zion Williamson is sitting fourth in the Western Conference frontcourt tallies. Averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game on 40% shooting from three,. My teammates did a good job of finding me and giving me those opportunities. Bleacher Report Floats Bridges, ONeale Trade to the Trail Blazers. Or write about sports? Liddell (right knee ACL injury recovery). I am going to make shots and am going to help us win.. Obviously, thats a tough matchup for anybody. In sickness and health, McCollum rains jumpers. 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. [8], On November 25, 2012, McCollum scored 26 points in a 9177 win over Sacred Heart to pass Rob Feaster as the Patriot League's all-time leading scorer. But as long as we remain solid and be us, then we are going to be all right.. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. [35] He set another career-high for points scored with 43 on January 1 during a 9589 win over the Timberwolves. Big-time stuff. [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. 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. 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.
