I know this is something that doesnt last forever, McCollum shared after the victory. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. [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. But me knowing him the way I know him and having to compete against him, I wanted to make sure I got out front and set the tone early.. He spent half his six-year (plus three games of a seventh season) career coming off the bench. -The first set of fan votes are in for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City. [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. "Obviously, that's a tough matchup," McCollum said. Fighting merely to avoid being swept at the Moda Center, the Blazers brought pride and energy, largely through their talented guard grouping. As New Orleans continues to scrounge for ways to win games amid its injury woes, Green discovering this lineup could be a significant development. [2] On August 7, 2021, he was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing Chris Paul. It's about respecting the game, playing hard and giving all you've got.". Despite averaging 26.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.1% from three, all career highs, McCollum's name was missing from the list of reserves for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. 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 signed his rookie scale contract with the franchise on July 11,[13] and he proceeded to play for them in the NBA Summer League, averaging 21 points and 4 rebounds per 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. You can get full details here or simply visit the Trail Blazers ticket site and click Buying Options to donate a ticket or two! If its in Gods plan for it to happen, so be it, McCollum said. If not, then he will handle his duties as NBPA president and then escape the Mountain West cold for a few days with his family. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. The days and weeks to come wouldnt be as celebratory. John Amis/Associated Press. A key component that made the Lillard-McCollum pairing so alluring came in just how available they made themselves in off-court settings. 6 overall in 2012, they took McCollum with another lottery pick (No. A small-market team and a mid-major star: There's no more perfect union in the NBA. Given the mounting pressure, Manfred believed the least political solution was to . [49] On December 12, he matched his season high with 40 points during a 9283 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. Jonas Valanciunas also missed Wednesdays game with a left calf contusion, and McCollum is playing through a thumb injury. 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. 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. 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. The championship window seemed shattered on the ruptured Achilles of Wesley Matthews, and within weeks, the talented two-guardalong with fellow starters Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and Robin Lopezwould become a thing of the past. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollum's 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. Damian Lillard. Having convened for an annual photoshoot, the rookie class of 2013 took an NBA.com survey, according to which McCollum was voted the 201314 Rookie of the Year (together with Victor Oladipo). 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. McCollum led New Orleans in scoring with 25 points, but the team's offense floundered in the second half. come on! The Most Valuable McCollum leads the MVP chants for Lillard Feb. 2, 2020. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game.. 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. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. [26] By the end of the regular season, he averaged 20.8 points per game, while Lillard did 25.1 points, making the first backcourt to average 20 or more points apiece in Blazers' history. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups.". [32] During a 10094 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on November 6, he matched his earlier career-high by racking up 37 points. Im going to be more efficient. CJ McCollum shows off vision with nice pass vs. Atlanta Hawks. CJ McCollum not worried about an NBA All-Star nomination | Pelicans Its going to be a roller coaster. The former Portland Trail Blazers star was also an AP All-American in college and the 2016 NBA Most Improved Player. So I was just trying to take it all in.. [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. The Rachel Nichols interview ahead of the 2019 Playoffs. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. Lillard finished with 29 points and six assists, McCollum with 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [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. 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. 8. (31-33, 10th place in NBA Western Conference). CJ McCollum Game by Game Stats and Performance | ESPN He has made 55/114 (48%) of his three-pointers but has committed 46 turnovers. Like most every other team in the NBA from 2014-15 to 2018-19, performances didnt hold the same value unless you did it against the Golden State Warriors. 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. No real explanation why; w/ some players it just never feels smart counting them out.Take a look at his rsum in elimination matchups w/ the Blazers. From a group standpoint, the best of it came during Game One of the First Round of the 2017 Playoffs, in which Lillard and McCollum combined for 75 points, just shy of the record shared by Aldridge-Lillard and Drexler-Porter groupings. CJ McCollum - Basketball-Reference.com Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Dennis Schroder, DAngelo Russell, Troy Brown Jr., Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis. Remembering Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum's Greatest Blazers Hits Hes done just that over his last 10 outings, averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 51 percent shooting from the field, 39 percent from 3 and 88 percent from the free-throw line, Just playing free. 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. New Orleans is in the midst of a season-long five-game road trip. He was an All-Star just once. It . 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. Vote here: https://n. If McCollum makes his first All-Star appearance next month, he would happily play. One of the most durable scorers in the game, he finished second in west guard voting last year. He is one of the best players of his generation to have never earned a nod. 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. Portland Trail Blazers: Will CJ McCollum be an All Star in 2021? In celebration for those, we look back at eight-and-a-half of their greatest moments in tandem. Yet the closest McCollum's come to the All-Star courts were the 2016 and 2017 three-point contests. Join our linker program. 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. McCollum evolved with the Pull-Up podcast and as a wine connoisseur, to name a few of his interests. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The loss eliminated Portland from the playoffs, the last in a four-game sweep. C.J. 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. NEW ORLEANS, La. 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. Not just great basketball players. CJ McCollum on potentially making the All-Star game this year: "I get 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. If it happens, thats great. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "C.J. Major League Baseball on Friday pulled this year's All-Star Game out of Atlanta in protest of Georgia's new restrictive voting law. )[23] McCollum was able to resume his starting shooting guard role on January 4 as Lillard was back on his feet, returned from injury. 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. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. You know what Im saying? While we're not even close to seeing who earns a spot on the annual squad, one player who has seemingly been on the fringes of the roster for years is Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum. 10). 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. 1 in the Western Conference had become more of an unfortunate What If story. 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. [24] On February 12, he was named among the invites to All-Star Weekend's Three-Point Contest. '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. CJ McCollum ( New Orleans Pelicans) with a 3-pointer vs the Golden State Warriors, 03/03/2023. CJ McCollum however, 12-veteran and NBPA President, has never made an NBA All-Star Game and is again getting looked over by the fan voters. The Center aims to provide a safe and inspiring space for underserved youth to learn, explore, create, and grow. 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. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Despite. 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. CJ McCollum Has Reached All-Star Status - thecoldwire.com [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. Though, it shouldnt be forgotten what Lillard and his co-star did together in this one. CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. While accolades are great, McCollum values being a good person and helping his team win over making it to the big game. Christian James McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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. Do you have a blog? 'I get paid like an All-Star. Portland Trail Blazers: CJ McCollum is a surefire All-Star in 2021 From 2015-16 to 2020-21, Lillard was No. 1 in minutes played (15,750) with McCollum at No. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. 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. 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. CJ McCollumhas averaged 32.4 points, 8.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 8 games without Damian Lillardthis season. Desperate times may call for desperate measures. The 2021 All Star Game in Indianapolis is still almost a year away. [43] On the 25th of that month, McCollum had 26 points and scored 7 straight in the final quarter, as he helped Portland stage a 100 scoring run to overcome a 17-point deficit and defeat the Washington Wizards, 108105. (Photo of the picture on the wall via Will Guillory / The Athletic). 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. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. Then Ill enjoy a nice vacation with my wife. [71] On December 22, McCollum put up 40 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in a 126117 win over the San Antonio Spurs. CJ McCollum averages 21.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. The fact that each guard played in 90+ percent of the games they shared together. Just staying consistent in playing super hard all the time, forward Herb Jones told The Athletic. For those who can remember at the time, it offered a look into sides of the Blazers duo that hadnt been seen as often. I Broke My Back, Spinal! Play-In Game, 2020 vs. MEM. If not, I am treated very well on the 1st and the 15th. The first-ever Playoffs series win vs. the Clippers in 2016. He picked apart every coverage the Blazers threw at him and turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. If the Portland Trail Blazers guard continues in this vein of form, he is a surefire All-Star selection. He scored 34 points in Mondays win over the Washington Wizards. 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. On Tuesday, the official NBA All-Star reserves list was released with just two weeks remaining before the game is set to take place. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. We look back on their greatest moments together. [83], McCollum is a wine enthusiast. 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. On a contending Rockets team, Harden is one of the most popular players in the game and already a seven-time All-Star. CJ McCollum with 25 Points vs. Golden State Warriors When McCollum made his first visit back to Portland last March, Lillard was sidelined by season-ending surgery to repair an abdominal injury. 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]. Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and . 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. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game. Gabor won zero championships. After McCollum poured 35 points on the Miami Heat Thursday tohelplead Portland to a 125-122 victory, he earned the walk-off interview for his stellar performance. 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. It was the second time hes scored at least 40 points in a game without logging a turnover. He just doesn't know if he will be there solely to take meetings as the president of the NBA Players Association or. 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. Poole has not and the Warriors still sport a 3-16 record away from home. Though, if there were a measuring stick, his eight-game stretch from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1, 2020 might be it. [38] In a 122113 victory over Denver on March 28, McCollum finished with a 39-point tally. For the season, he would average 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a night across 80 games. 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. 5 in games played (436) and No. 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. 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. But as long as we remain solid and be us, then we are going to be all right.. Ingram shot a tidy 18-of-29 from the field and didnt record a single turnover in 38 minutes of game action. [3] He played in 33 games, starting in 31, and averaged 19.1 points and 5 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9 percent from the field. [76], On May 30, 2022, McCollum signed a multiplatform deal with ESPN to be an NBA analyst. [4], As a junior in the 201112 campaign, McCollum again earned Patriot League Player of the Year, as well as his third straight First Team All-Conference designation. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. [16] On February 8, McCollum posted a season-high 19 points in a 117110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. The "Midsummer Classic" was set for July 13 at Truist Park, home . McCollum scored a season-high 42 points to go along with a franchise-record 11 made three-pointers. A large black-and-white photo of McCollum's 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 Portland's locker room. We came out and just competed, played hard. [73], McCollum hosts a weekly podcast, Pull Up with CJ McCollum, that is produced by Cadence13. MLB Pulls All-Star Game From Atlanta, Georgia, in Response to Voting And if not, Ill be out there for some meetings anyway. 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.