McCollum knows what its like to play in big games at Moda Center. Sources: 2021 NBA All-Star reserves:West: Chris Paul, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Zion Williamson, Anthony DavisEast: James Harden, Julius Randle, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Ben Simmons, Nikola Vucevic. The Pelicans (26-17) still sit in third place in the West. Tonight marks the first-ever game between Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. 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. [78] They have one son named Jacobi who was born on January 10, 2022. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. He attended Glendora High School in Glendora, California, where he played basketball. [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. Like Lillard, McCollum compared the experience to playing against each other in scrimmages. 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. )[23] McCollum was able to resume his starting shooting guard role on January 4 as Lillard was back on his feet, returned from injury. Theres no easy pick which game led to the fastest heartbeat; each was packed with pressure and high-stakes implications. 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. Among players to log at least 500 games, McCollum's 19.4 points per game scoring average ranks No. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. [50] On December 23, in a game against the Warriors, McCollum moved past Damon Stoudamire (717) into fifth on the Blazers' career list for 3-pointers. [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. Of those most high-profile, Game Four against the Grizzlies proved to be the most enticing. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. [75][76] In a March 2020 episode of the podcast, McCollum was recording when he received news that the NBA was suspending the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have great human beings in here. The organization is doing a good job of picking its characters up.. Ja Morant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are up-and-coming stars with loyal fanbases voting daily. From 2015-16 to 2020-21, Lillard was No. It remains the biggest shot of his career. 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 is averaging 13.3 points per game, and has helped the Blazers maintain an 18-12 record so far. 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. We present them here for purely educational purposes. [54] On March 1, he scored 35 points and matched a career best by making seven 3-pointers in a 119117 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Combining for 62 PTS, @CJMcCollum (33p/8r/5a) & @Dame_Lillard (29p/4r/6a) propel the @trailblazers to a 2-0 series lead! Theres: (1) The Rodney Hood Game, the 4OT thriller in Game Three, (3) The CJ McCollum Game, the Game 7 comeback. [14] McCollum sat out the first six weeks of the regular season with a foot injury. I know this is something that doesnt last forever, McCollum shared after the victory. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. Join our linker program. Maybe, the former Most Improved Player will finally get the first All-Star nod of his career. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game. 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. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. McCollum is still finding his rhythm since returning to the Trail Blazers lineup. Not that any one knew it, or even wanted it at the time, but towards the end of the 2014-15 season, there were opportunities that showcased what a homegrown backcourt pairing of Lillard and McCollum could look like. The other names on the list are questionable at best. 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. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. His teams have constantly been in the top half of the Western Conference or at least giving high seeds scares like last year against the Phoenix Suns. So, why not? 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.. There are 21 games over the next 6 weeks to garner some more fan votes. Its all the work I put in. Big-time stuff. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. But for the first time in his career, McCollum walked through that back hallway with the intention of beating Lillard and handing his new team a historic night of their own. Its difficult to argue that Damian Lillard isnt, at the current moment, playing some of the best basketball of his career. But as long as we remain solid and be us, then we are going to be all right.. 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. I mean. Still, McCollum not even making the top ten? He is a willing listener. McCollum began last season playing the best basketball of his life for the Portland Trail Blazers. That forced Green to try something different. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Can you help us send children in need to see the Blazers play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, March 29th? New Orleans 10-year veteran guard CJ McCollum was sidelined during Monday's win at Oklahoma City due to a right ankle sprain, and is listed as questionable to play Wednesday against the Los. Throwing different looks, scrambling (and) multiple efforts.. While accolades are great, McCollum values being a good person and helping his team win over making it to the big game. Im going to be more consistent. I am going to make plays. Bleacher Report Floats Bridges, ONeale Trade to the Trail Blazers. There will be no Jamal Murray jokes today. You dont get to play forever. 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. [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. McCollum's 'Healthy Habits': Yoga, Wine and Podcasting", "CJ McCollum reacts to NBA suspending season, remains hopeful that season will resume", "New Orleans Pelicans' CJ McCollum joining ESPN as an NBA analyst", "CJ McCollum and Elise Esposito's Wedding Was an Intimate Affair in Oregon Wine Country", "CJ and Elise McCollum welcome son Jacobi James McCollum", "C.J. For reference: the Blazers had gone 1-12 in the 13 postseason games prior, leaving them short on confidence among the national media. [74] It is co-hosted by ESPN analyst Jordan Schultz. Even beyond the emotional stakes of McCollum and Lillards first meeting as opponents, New Orleans needed this win to hold off a team now neck-and-neck with them in the playoff race. CJ McCollumhas averaged 32.4 points, 8.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 8 games without Damian Lillardthis season. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Damian Lillard. Game One of the 2021 series against Denver, in which the two combined for 55. A key component that made the Lillard-McCollum pairing so alluring came in just how available they made themselves in off-court settings. On July 27, 2016, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with Portland. CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. John Amis/Associated Press. 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. CJ McCollum was born on September 19, 1991, making him 28 years old as of 2019. I just do my job. Not just great basketball players. Long pigeonholed into the very good but not-good-enough category of a team's second-best . My job is to take advantage of them.. [3], McCollum played at the private research school Lehigh University for four seasons. [49] On December 12, he matched his season high with 40 points during a 9283 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. 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. A wave to instruct the crowd to get loud followed. Blazers Play Like Field Mice Against Hawks, Get Eaten Up. 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 "Midsummer Classic" was set for July 13 at Truist Park, home . Instagram: Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:50AM. The first-ever Playoffs series win vs. the Clippers in 2016. Channeling his inner Mike Tyson, McCollum delivered one of his more entertaining moments, sharing a fun moment with Lillard and Lisa Salters. The Bombs Away Game Game 2, 2019 West First Round vs. OKC. When one didnt have it, the other did, as evidenced by each of them averaging 25+ over the seven-game series. However lively the yearly trade-deadline chatter might be, there's a reason CJ McCollum is still in Portland. Major League Baseball on Friday pulled this year's All-Star Game out of Atlanta in protest of Georgia's new restrictive voting law. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. 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. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. If not, I am treated very well on the 1st and the 15th. 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. 1 in the Western Conference had become more of an unfortunate What If story. It's about respecting the game, playing hard and giving all you've got.". 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. 3jmccollum, Position: While on the sidelines during a break in the action, McCollum caught a glimpse of the Smoothie King Center jumbotron. [19] On November 6, 2018, McCollum scored 40 points during a 118103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. [44] On January 1, to defeat the Chicago Bulls, 124120, he scored 25 of 32 points after halftime, including the game-clinching basket with 56.5 seconds left in overtime. 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. 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. [16] On February 8, McCollum posted a season-high 19 points in a 117110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. Listed as out for the Pelicans are Zion Williamson (right hamstring strain), Dyson Daniels (right ankle sprain) and E.J. I Broke My Back, Spinal! Play-In Game, 2020 vs. MEM. The win moved New Orleans to 1.5 games ahead of Portland in the West. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. 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 Most Valuable McCollum leads the MVP chants for Lillard Feb. 2, 2020. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Jordan Poole getting on the same star list as teammates Klay Thompson and Curry? [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. [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. [19] In the season-opener on October 25, he put up 25 points to help defeat the Utah Jazz, 113104. [83], McCollum is a wine enthusiast. He is a New Orleans native. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred moved this year's All-Star game from Atlanta to protest new voting laws in Georgia. That didn't stop Lillard from scoring 41 points, his 13th time this season with 40-plus. 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. During his third year in the league in 2015-16, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player [1] . 7. But I think its about team success. 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. NBA.com is part of Warner . Gambling problem? McCollum is sinking 1.4 pull-up 3s per game this season, almost one more than the next-closest Pelican.