Final #NBAAllStar Fan Voting Results pic.twitter.com/Ijz1dswNho. Although McCollum has only played 13 games and has been sidelined dealing with a foot injury, he was averaging 26.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game for the Trail Blazers. All rights reserved. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. He is averaging 21.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Depending on your preferred story arc, its likely that everyone has a different favorite. If Im going to be an elite guard, Ive got to pick up full court sometimes and do whatever it takes, McCollum said. [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. Combining for 62 PTS, @CJMcCollum (33p/8r/5a) & @Dame_Lillard (29p/4r/6a) propel the @trailblazers to a 2-0 series lead! Things got even more difficult as Lillard repeatedly roasted Willy Hernangomez, forcing the replacement Pelicans center to move his feet out in space. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports. 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. Or write about sports? 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. Remembering Damian Lillard and CJ McCollums Greatest Blazers Hits, Blazers Cant Stop Hawks Guards, Fall in Atlanta, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors Make Transactions as Season Concludes. 7. Damian Lillard. For the Blazers, then 29-37, injury-riddled and flawed, this meant that they had nearly a half-year to lick their wounds, reassess their situation, and most of all, figure out how they would stay within striking distance of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies for a shot at a Western Conference Play-In Game. 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. The organization is doing a good job of picking its characters up.. Right, Born: [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. Zion Williamson is sitting fourth in the Western Conference frontcourt tallies. Vote here: https://n. On July 27, 2016, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with Portland. I Broke My Back, Spinal! Play-In Game, 2020 vs. MEM. 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. The epitaph on this partnerships life cycle had started in the lead-up to their First Round meeting against Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder. For better or worse, there havent been many duos quite like them. Because so many special moments followed each other, one after another in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals, well cheat. Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Dennis Schroder, DAngelo Russell, Troy Brown Jr., Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis. Dame Lillard (34) & CJ McCollum (41) combine for 75 @TrailBlazers points. Ingram shot a tidy 18-of-29 from the field and didnt record a single turnover in 38 minutes of game action. [33] On November 20, McCollum scored 33 points and hit a career-high 6 three-pointers, to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 129109. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. 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. On January 1, 2014, he was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the development league. The series itself wasnt anything to speak of, but it served as one of the many times in which anything felt possible because both players were on at the same time. 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. Jordan Poole getting on the same star list as teammates Klay Thompson and Curry? 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. 1991 Knowing that if we blitz (Lillard) with Willy and (Jaxson Hayes), what if we go with Herb at the five? Pels coach Willie Green said. Coaches, players, and the media already have the utmost respect for McCollum. Every ticket you donate goes to someone who wouldnt have been able to see the Blazers play without you! [17], On October 27, 2014, Portland exercised their third-year team option to extended McCollum's rookie scale contract through 201516. Zion Williamson (9) and Brandon Ingram (23) have missed a combined 32 games and counting. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. If you look at the numbers, Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is easily an All-Star caliber player. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. The Bombs Away Game Game 2, 2019 West First Round vs. OKC. [25] On April 5, he posted his eighth 30-point game of the season, during a 115107 win over Sacramento. McCollum played high school basketball for the Golden Eagles at GlenOak High School in his native city of Canton, Ohio. pic.twitter.com/URZ0mDnBD0. 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. But on Thursday night, after he and Lillard combined for 57 points vs. Miami, he reminded the NBA that Portland is a force to be reckoned with. In 2022, McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, ending his nine year run with 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. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. We look back on their greatest moments together. Both Anthony and McCollum deserved to be reserved in the All-Star game this year if we look at the output both of them have put out. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. [40], McCollum missed the opener of the 201718 season due to a single-game suspension incurred when he left the bench area once during a preseason game. The Chris Haynes Interview on ESPN March 2018. He hit a franchise-record 11 3-pointers in a Dec. 30 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, and he is now up to 40.3% shooting from distance on 7.4 attempts per game. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. McCollum knows he is enough. Igniting the rally, he and McCollum combined for 30 points in the second half on the way to a 114-94 win. So, why not? 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. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollums 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. He never made an All-NBA Team. Long before they teamed up in Portland, McCollum (Lehigh University) and Lillard (Weber State University) took turns leading the nation in scoring. [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. NEW ORLEANS, La. By this point, the Blazers, once 30-8 and No. 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. 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. Though, it shouldnt be forgotten what Lillard and his co-star did together in this one. During his third year in the league in 2015-16, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player [1] . Do you have a sports website? Long pigeonholed into the very good but not-good-enough category of a team's second-best . 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. [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. [65], On December 7, 2021, McCollum was diagnosed with a pneumothorax and was ruled out indefinitely. Ingram admitted after the win that he knows the margin of error is small for the Pels as they attempt to stay above water with all the injuries popping up. Big-time stuff. We were able to get to it and we liked what we saw. On the NBA 2K series, this would lead to a 10 percent increase in teammate chemistry. Sure, there were bigger on-court moments, but it proved full-circle for two teammates who always seemed to root on one anothers successes. Both Anthony and McCollum deserved to be reserved in the All-Star game this year if we look at the output both of them have put out. [75] Guests on the show have included Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. [9] On January 5, 2013, McCollum broke his left foot in a game against Virginia Commonwealth University, ending his season early. 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. Game Four remains a positive memory nonetheless. Towards the climax of that stretch, Lillard, in the middle of the 51-point game against Utah (of course), stepped to the free throw line, awaiting the ball before a familiar chant orchestrated by McCollum and Carmelo Anthony broke out: The entire arena gives Dame MVP chants after his 51-point game pic.twitter.com/kUZ4Fpv692. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Over that span, Lillard averaged 45.1 points, 9.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 53-53-88 splits (no, there are no typos there), with the sub-.500 Blazers needing every ounce of it to keep their fledgling postseason aspirations alive. I am going to make plays. Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. You dont get to have these moments forever. He is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. 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. inCanton,Ohio Thus far, it is 2-2 even though three of its normal starters Williamson, Ingram and Herb Jones have all missed multiple games. If not, I am treated very well on the 1st and the 15th. [27] McCollum would subsequently earn NBA Most Improved Player honors for his breakout 201516 season. All eyes were on McCollum and Lillard going into this game as they shared the court for the first time since last Februarys trade. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Williamson is now on the shelf for at least three weeks and Ingram's timetable to return is unknown. 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. It . The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. Be sure to share some of your favorite Lillard-McCollum memories below as well. CJ is big on that, backup point guard Jose Alvarado said. In sickness and health, McCollum rains jumpers. Listed as out for the Pelicans are Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain), Dyson Daniels (right ankle sprain) and E.J. [4], As a sophomore in 201011, McCollum increased his averages to 21.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per outing. [18] For his sophomore season, he played 15.7 minutes per outing while averaging 6.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1 assist across 62 games. You know what Im saying? Enter Game Two. 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. The two provided multiple avenues for which the fanbase could connect. 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. I dont know what it is. The 31-year-old guard battled the flu and COVID-19 early this season. Sports Illustrated's 38th-best player last season. [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. CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. With Valanciunas and Nance Jr. both sidelined due to injuries, Pelicans coach Willie Greens frontcourt options were already limited. He is one of the best players of his generation to have never earned a nod. (31-33, 10th place in NBA Western Conference). If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. CJ McCollum was drafted by Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft. 1 in the Western Conference, 51-point performance against Golden State, 41-point second half takeover from Lillard and McCollum, McCollums comments about load management. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. McCollum is still finding his rhythm since returning to the Trail Blazers lineup. However lively the yearly trade-deadline chatter might be, there's a reason CJ McCollum is still in Portland. Ingram's personal update explained how it would be hard to tell exactly when he'd be ready. 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. "Obviously, that's a tough matchup," McCollum said. [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. [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. 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. But as long as we remain solid and be us, then we are going to be all right.. 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. I get paid like an All-Star, McCollum said. 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. 'I get paid like an All-Star. He knew the Pelicans plan was to wear Lillard down throughout the game. C.J. 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. Pick Your Poison The 2019 Western Conference Semifinals Duel vs. DEN. There are 21 games over the next 6 weeks to garner some more fan votes. If McCollum makes his first All-Star appearance next month, he would happily play. He has still played in 38 of a possible 43 games. 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. Lillard helped bridge the gap between award-winning hip-hop artist and one of the faces of Adidas. I mean. But its more about team success.. Over the first 11 games, McCollum averaged 28.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 47-44-84 splits. [3] In his very first game as a junior, McCollum came away with 54 points to set both school and Stark County records. Ive got to set the precedent on how we got to compete on both ends. The days and weeks to come wouldnt be as celebratory. I guess we got lucky. Mar 27, 2022 4:52 PM EDT. Both are generational talents with name recognition having good to outstanding seasons so that cache and respect goes a long way with NBA fans. He played and started in 31 contests and shot 39.9 percent from the field. 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. [38] In a 122113 victory over Denver on March 28, McCollum finished with a 39-point tally. [77], McCollum has been married to his college sweetheart Elise Esposito since October 27, 2020. During his third year in the league in 201516, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player.[1]. [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. 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. us, High School: The Center aims to provide a safe and inspiring space for underserved youth to learn, explore, create, and grow. 10). If it happens, thats great. 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. March 4, 2023, 12:40 AM. 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 . McCollum was named First Team All-Conference. I am going to make shots and am going to help us win.. McCollum deserves the honor and has time to prove it this season. McCollum knows what its like to play in big games at Moda Center. 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. Poole has not and the Warriors still sport a 3-16 record away from home. Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, & Rodney Hood combined for 87 PTS as the Blazers won at home last night to force a Game 7! 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 picked apart every coverage the Blazers threw at him and turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. And, as the old saying goes, the best ability is availability. Lillard finished with 29 points and six assists, McCollum with 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The fact that each guard played in 90+ percent of the games they shared together. Buthe is the only member of the Trail Blazers to make the cut. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Thinking about some of the other elite duos of this time think Harden-Westbrook, Embiid-Simmons, etc its remarkable that there was never a story in which jealousy or insecurity came about. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. Shooting Guard He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Lillard, ultimately named the Most Valuable Player of the NBA Restart in the Orlando bubble, wasnt lacking in motivation. Stepping Up to the Champs Game 1, 2017 West First Round vs. GSW. We have great human beings in here. Christian James McCollum [64] On August 7, 2021, McCollum was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, succeeding Chris Paul who had served since 2013. Austin Reaves and Russell Westbrook are All-Stars but the Los Angeles Lakers only have a 17-21 record? 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. The teams record since then, including play-in tournament and playoff games, is 44-35. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have combined to miss 42 games. CJ McCollum's career-high 9TH three-pointer wins it for the @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/4gEBbFU6HZ. CJ McCollum ( New Orleans Pelicans) with a 3-pointer vs the Golden State Warriors, 03/03/2023. [2] On August 7, 2021, he was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing Chris Paul. 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. '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. Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft, More CJ McCollum pages at Sports Reference. [76], On May 30, 2022, McCollum signed a multiplatform deal with ESPN to be an NBA analyst. McCollum is sinking 1.4 pull-up 3s per game this season, almost one more than the next-closest Pelican. 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. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollum's 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. [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. [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. 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. The win moved New Orleans to 1.5 games ahead of Portland in the West. [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. [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. Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks First Half Here! My teammates did a good job of finding me and giving me those opportunities. Ja Morant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are up-and-coming stars with loyal fanbases voting daily. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Join our linker program. [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. John Amis/Associated Press. Yet the closest McCollum's come to the All-Star courts were the 2016 and 2017 three-point contests. [20], Exercising their fourth-year team option on September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers extended McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 201617 season.