It has been almost one year since the Pelicans traded for McCollum and Larry Nance Jr. In 2022, McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, ending his nine year run with the Blazers. 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. [14] McCollum sat out the first six weeks of the regular season with a foot injury. From 2015-16 to 2020-21, Lillard was No. [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. Ingram also made his presence felt on defense with active off-ball rotations and solid on-ball work 1-on-1. Do you have a blog? The Rachel Nichols interview ahead of the 2019 Playoffs. That's what the game is about. It was kind of getting back to how we play.. The first player to ever enter the NBA from Lehigh, McCollum was picked tenth overall in the 2013 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. On January 1, 2014, he was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the development league. You could argue I should have made it in previous years. 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. If the Portland Trail Blazers guard continues in this vein of form, he is a surefire All-Star selection. The only thing holding CJ back from being an allstar is Dame. On the box score, Game Threes 140-137 win would likely suffice. MLB swings and misses in political debacle to move All-Star game 7 in minutes played (15,030). He is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. MLB pulls All-Star Game from Atlanta in protest of restrictive new Steph and Klay have missed a big chunk of Golden State road games. Final #NBAAllStar Fan Voting Results pic.twitter.com/Ijz1dswNho. 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. But we just care about each other. He played and started in 31 contests and shot 39.9 percent from the field. If its in Gods plan for it to happen, so be it, McCollum said. Vote here: https://n. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. If I never make an All-Star Game man, I wont be sad about it because I know Im nice, and I know a lot of people respect my game, McCollum said. Vote CJ McCollum 2023 NBA All-Star - YouTube He joined Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, and Tyreke Evans as the only players in Pelicans history to put up at least 40 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a game. [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. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. There will be no Jamal Murray jokes today. And if not, Ill be out there for some meetings anyway. When Dame was out this year, his usage spiked and he put up great numbers. [49] On December 12, he matched his season high with 40 points during a 9283 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. 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. closest McCollum's come to the All-Star courts were the 2016 and 2017 three-point contests. [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. 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. On Tuesday, the official NBA All-Star reserves list was released with just two weeks remaining before the game is set to take place. 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. CJ McCollum attended Glen Oak in Canton, Ohio and Lehigh. McCollum is still finding his rhythm since returning to the Trail Blazers lineup. Im here to win games. '. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, CJ McCollum questionable for Wednesday road game at Lakers, 5 things to know about the Pelicans on Feb. 14, 2023. 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. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Per ESPN Stats & Information research, that pushed him past Michael Jordan in 1997-98 (12) for the most ever in a single season by a player age 32 or older. 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. As such, he has written articles concerning the NBA for various media outlets;[80] in one of his pieces, he interviewed the Commissioner of the league Adam Silver. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. If it happens, thats great. Lillard and McCollums relationship actually started because they both dealt with the same foot injury. McCollum is not an out-of-the-blue candidate either. He just doesn't know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or. In that game, Lillard played a 60-minute-and-one-second game, McCollum at 57:59 prompting his This is what Im built for quote on the way to one of the greatest games in league history. 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. Dynamic duos dont survive nearly a full decade together without learning how to reach peak performance simultaneously. Pick Your Poison The 2019 Western Conference Semifinals Duel vs. DEN. A small-market team and a mid-major star: There's no more perfect union in the NBA. Game Four remains a positive memory nonetheless. Portland Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum's All-Star argument - Hoops Habit Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks First Half Here! After . Williamson is now on the shelf for at least three weeks and Ingram's timetable to return is unknown. The ball was in his hands down the stretch, I had no problem with it win or lose. My teammates did a good job of finding me and giving me those opportunities. (Top photo of CJ McCollum dribbling against Damian Lillard: Soobum Im / USA Today). Portland Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum is a surefire All-Star in 2021 Is CJ McCollum now the best player to never make an all-star game? If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Why CJ McCollum is the most underappreciated superstar in the NBA 1. But desperation also provides a much-needed opportunity to think outside the box and generate positive results. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. Staying confident in everything that Im doing. CJ McCollum Christian James McCollum Twitter : CJMcCollum Instagram: 3jmccollum Position: Shooting Guard Shoots: Right 6-3 , 190lb (190cm, 86kg) Born: September 19 , 1991 in Canton, Ohio us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 2015-16 Most Improved 3 3 SUMMARY 2022-23 Career G 52 642 PTS 21.1 19.4 TRB 4.3 3.5 AST 5.9 3.7 FG% 43.5 45.4 McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "C.J. Two nights later, he had 38 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics. You dont get to have these moments forever. [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. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. Steph Curry and Luka Doncic as the top two backcourt options makes complete sense. CJ McCollum is playing like the second All-Star Damian Lillard needs [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. The days and weeks to come wouldnt be as celebratory. March 4, 2023, 12:40 AM. You dont get to play forever. Its going to be a roller coaster. Will Guillory is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the New Orleans Pelicans. As the prime of his career reaches its zenith, its likely that CJ McCollum will go down as one of leagues greatest players to never earn an NBA All-Star nomination. But its more about team success.. 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. McCollum, who is in his 10th season, has never been named an All-Star. Locked in on defense! from a few chairs down. [60], On November 21, 2019, McCollum scored a then season-high 37 points, along with 6 rebounds and 10 assists, in a 137129 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Photos: CJ McCollum at 2022 NBA AllStar Weekend Major League Baseball sent a warning shot on Friday to Republicans considering new laws to restrict voting, pulling its summer All-Star game out of suburban Atlanta in . You can get full details here or simply visit the Trail Blazers ticket site and click Buying Options to donate a ticket or two! [66] On January 17, 2022, he made his return from the injury, logging 16 points in a 9888 win over the Orlando Magic. Gabor won zero championships. 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. For everything thats changed, much has also remained the same: both players remain tasked with the expectation of leading the offensive charge for their respective franchises, each of which remaining heavily invested in this seasons Western Conference postseason race. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups.". 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. Trailing by 10 with less than eight minutes to go, that Lillard-McCollum (and Aldridge) trio pieced together 25 points together to help avoid elimination. Christian James McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). [39] The Blazers finished the regular season with a 4141 record and entered the playoffs as the eighth seed. McCollum is making $33.3 million this season. The Portland Trail Blazers have started the year with a steady three and two record, but CJ McCollum has been the team's best player. 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. McCollum evolved with the Pull-Up podcast and as a wine connoisseur, to name a few of his interests. One of the most durable scorers in the game, he finished second in west guard voting last year. 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. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, & Rodney Hood combined for 87 PTS as the Blazers won at home last night to force a Game 7! For better or worse, there havent been many duos quite like them. [75] Guests on the show have included Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. If McCollum makes his first All-Star appearance next month, he would happily play. CJ McCollum is one of the most under-appreciated stars in the NBA. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. His 11 three-pointers were a Pelicans franchise record for the most three-pointers made in a game. Gambling problem? Zion Williamson (9) and Brandon Ingram (23) have missed a combined 32 games and counting. Dr. A's weekly risers and fallers: Jeremy Sochan, Christian Wood make the list, NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant's return could rock the West, What NBA Finals runs from LeBron, Giannis can teach Jayson Tatum, They said it! [46] On March 28, McCollum had a 42-point effort, which came in a 108103 loss to the Grizzlies. While on the sidelines during a break in the action, McCollum caught a glimpse of the Smoothie King Center jumbotron. CJ McCollum questionable for Wednesday road game at Lakers -The first set of fan votes are in for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. 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. Dame Lillard (34) & CJ McCollum (41) combine for 75 @TrailBlazers points. I want him to be the best version of himself, McCollum said of his backcourt mate. [27] McCollum would subsequently earn NBA Most Improved Player honors for his breakout 201516 season. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Buthe is the only member of the Trail Blazers to make the cut. [65], On December 7, 2021, McCollum was diagnosed with a pneumothorax and was ruled out indefinitely. He was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the tenth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. CJ McCollum Stats, News, Bio | ESPN McCollum: 'More Than Just a Basketball Player', "CJ McCollum Dream Center Opens at Blazers Boys & Girls Club", "Portland's CJ McCollum is a Silent Assassin on the Court and a Blooming Journalist Off of it", "NBA star CJ McCollum is keeping his hotel room a frigid temperature to create a wine cellar for the 84 bottles he ordered to the Disney bubble", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=CJ_McCollum&oldid=1140860142.