Poole has not and the Warriors still sport a 3-16 record away from home. Per NBA.com, the lineup of McCollum, Ingram, Jones, Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy outscored the Pelicans by nine points in the eight minutes it played. [16] On February 8, McCollum posted a season-high 19 points in a 117110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Christian James McCollum [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. Find out more. No Blazer had recorded numbers on par with McCollum's near triple-double in the last 29 years (Clyde Drexler posted 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists or more on five occasions. It wasthe main reason they were able to close out this win. 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. 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. [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. 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. 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. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. Stepping Up to the Champs Game 1, 2017 West First Round vs. GSW. McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "C.J. Like Lillard, McCollum compared the experience to playing against each other in scrimmages. Jordan Poole getting on the same star list as teammates Klay Thompson and Curry? 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. After . Big-time stuff. [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. [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. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:50AM. He is one of the best players of his generation to have never earned a nod. 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. He played and started in 31 contests and shot 39.9 percent from the field. Ingram put on a shot-making clinic against a Portland defense that could not prevent him from getting anywhere he wanted. CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. 1 / 23 CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots a three point basket during the game during the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest as part of 2022 NBA All Star. pic.twitter.com/GRbo89wKhV, New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 2, 2023. Damian Lillard. For the season, he would average 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a night across 80 games. Over the first 11 games, McCollum averaged 28.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game on 47-44-84 splits. Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks First Half Here! A consummate student of journalism, McCollum penned an article for Sporting News explaining why he opted to continue on with his education. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. But he doesnt need anyones validation, acknowledgement or praise to fuel his passion for basketball. McCollum's own teammate Damian Lillard is a four-time All-Star who is also at the height of his ability. The Pelicans (26-17) still sit in third place in the West. In celebration for those, we look back at eight-and-a-half of their greatest moments in tandem. C.J. The former NBA Most Improved Player in 2015-16 has. props to bro, he tried to stop B.I. 0:23; 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. The only other player to pull off this feat in Pelicans franchise history is Anthony Davis, who did it five times. 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. [48], Across 70 games, starting in all of them, McCollum would average 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the season. Steph Curry and Luka Doncic as the top two backcourt options makes complete sense. My job is to take advantage of them.. CJ McCollum not worried about an All-Star nomination. Lillard's teammates, Carmelo Anthony and CJ McCollum, did not make the All-star reserve list, despite being in the top-10 in fan voting just last week. Vote here: https://n. once 30-8 and No. He has still played in 38 of a possible 43 games. CJ McCollum Getting Snubbed in NBA All-Star Voting - Sports Illustrated New Orleans Pelicans News, Analysis, and More CJ McCollum Getting Snubbed By NBA All-Star Game Voters CJ. Long before they teamed up in Portland, McCollum (Lehigh University) and Lillard (Weber State University) took turns leading the nation in scoring. 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. 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. 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. Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, & Rodney Hood combined for 87 PTS as the Blazers won at home last night to force a Game 7! 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. When that swap with the Portland Trail Blazers was finalized on Feb. 8, New Orleans record was 22-32. 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. Now McCollum has the opportunity to step into a bigger role at least until Ingram returns and the pair can build off of their playoff chemistry. For reference: the Blazers had gone 1-12 in the 13 postseason games prior, leaving them short on confidence among the national media. Christian James McCollum (born September 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Still, McCollum not even making the top ten? The Center aims to provide a safe and inspiring space for underserved youth to learn, explore, create, and grow. [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. [58] In the deciding Game 7, he scored a game-high 37 points in a 10096 win, including the game-sealing step back jumper with 15 seconds remaining, to help the Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. The Chris Haynes Interview on ESPN March 2018. 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. 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. 20 of ESPNs analysts made picks for this series, 19 of them siding with Oklahoma City. The Pelicans handled that pressure and played like the more desperate team, withstanding a 41-point outburst from Lillard to hold on to a 121-110 victory. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. Itll be what its going to be.. 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. He was a 201213 Senior CLASS Award finalist. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. As McCollum dressed at his locker, Jaxson Hayes screamed, Second team All-Defense, CJ McCollum! To count a few: theres (1) Lillards pissed off at the NBA, 51-point performance against Golden State, fresh off of another All-Star snub, (2) the corner game-winner with three Warriors in his airspace in 2018-19, and even a cohesive 41-point second half takeover from Lillard and McCollum in a Feb. 14, 2018 win, providing some hope that, with both teams fully healthy, Portland could withstand the challenge. Pick Your Poison The 2019 Western Conference Semifinals Duel vs. DEN. Its all the work I put in. To close with a fun fact: from 2015-16 to 2021-22, only eight players averaged 20+ every season; McCollum and Lillard were the only duo to have done so. Willie Green Wins Coach of the Month Award, Smoothie King Center Sell-Outs Now Normal, Pelicans Fans: NBA All-Star Voting Is Live, Pelicans Issue Update On Zion Williamson's Injury, CJ McCollum Shares Thoughts On Injury Bug, Pelicans Trade Market Index: Case For Keeping Current Squad. Can you help us send children in need to see the Blazers play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, March 29th? If the Portland Trail Blazers guard continues in this vein of form, he is a surefire All-Star selection. [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. . Austin Reaves and Russell Westbrook are All-Stars but the Los Angeles Lakers only have a 17-21 record? McCollum scored a season-high 42 points to go along with a franchise-record 11 made three-pointers. [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. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. New Orleans is in the midst of a season-long five-game road trip. But I think its about team success. 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. The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. [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. There will be no Jamal Murray jokes today. Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft, More CJ McCollum pages at Sports Reference. 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. In tandem, they tallied up 32 second half points, resuscitating the Blazers long time postseason streak in the process. Despite his stature, McCollum played varsity as a freshman for the Golden Eagles, relying on his athleticism. [70], On September 24, 2022, McCollum agreed to a two-year, $64 million extension with the Pelicans. I think we all care about each other, Alvarado said. CJ McCollum has made at least $147,980,107 playing professional basketball. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. He is a willing listener. 1991 I am going to make shots and am going to help us win.. On the box score, Game Threes 140-137 win would likely suffice. 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. CJ . As a freshman in 2005, he was considerably undersized, standing at only 5ft 2in (1.57m). [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. All-Star honors stick on a resume forever and he might be the best active player without those bragging rights. CJ McCollum is one of the most under-appreciated stars in the NBA. Locked in on defense! from a few chairs down. 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. "At first, it was weird," Lillard said following the game.. "It felt like practice a little bit, a couple of the matchups." NBA NEWS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, CJ McCollum & New Orleans Pelicans Updates The Pelicans made a visit to the great northwest last season after the trade deadline, but Lillard was sidelined following surgery on his abdominal. 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. Do you have a blog? 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. On July 27, 2016, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with Portland. home/away, monthly, etc More CJ McCollum Basketball Reference pages, 2022-23 Pelicans Final #NBAAllStar Fan Voting Results pic.twitter.com/Ijz1dswNho. Join our linker program. [39] The Blazers finished the regular season with a 4141 record and entered the playoffs as the eighth seed. 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. 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. [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. By the time the year is over, he will have collected close to $180 million in career earnings. 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. Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard, who was snubbed as an All-Star starter, was a shoe-in. You dont get to have these moments forever. You have permission to edit this article. From 2015-16 to 2020-21, Lillard was No. [49] On December 12, he matched his season high with 40 points during a 9283 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. [10] McCollum went on to graduate from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.[11][12]. We look back on their greatest moments together. (Top photo of CJ McCollum dribbling against Damian Lillard: Soobum Im / USA Today). Ingram also made his presence felt on defense with active off-ball rotations and solid on-ball work 1-on-1. With so many to choose from, its likely that many slipped through the cracks or have more significant backstories than others. As such, he saw his minutes increase to 34.8 per contest, and he started in all 80 games that he played. [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. Instagram: PORTLAND -- After playing more than 500 regular-season games together as teammates with the Portland Trail Blazers, guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum squared off against each other for the first time Wednesday, more than a year after McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in February 2022. Among some highlights: The chemistry proved tangible. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. 4. He also missed the Blazers' Nov. 10 trip to New Orleans because of injury management, meaning it took a while for the two longtime teammates to play as opponents. Latest on New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ McCollum including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN. There are 21 games over the next 6 weeks to garner some more fan votes. During the Pelicans win against the Wizards, Alvarado kept telling McCollum what he was seeing on the court during stoppages in play. [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. [57] In Game 6, he scored 30 points in a 119108 win, helping the Blazers tie the series against the Nuggets at 33. 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. The Last Hurrah OT Duel vs. Hardens Rockets Dec. 26, 2020. 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. The 2021 All Star Game in Indianapolis is still almost a year away. I dont know what it is. [2] On August 7, 2021, he was elected president of the National Basketball Players Association, replacing Chris Paul. Not just great basketball players. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. In these cases, the average was taken. Lillard joked that he knew McCollum's full-court pressure against "wasn't going to last." McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. Ingram's personal update explained how it would be hard to tell exactly when he'd be ready. [81], McCollum is involved in his community as a radio personality and philanthropist. Im going to be more consistent. [46] He joined Damian Lillard, Damon Stoudamire, Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Clyde Drexler and Geoff Petrie as Trail Blazers to score 50 points or more. 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. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. Williamson is now on the shelf for at least three weeks and Ingram's timetable to return is unknown. March 4, 2023, 12:40 AM. In the process, the Lillard-McCollum match had seldom looked better; they would become the first backcourt duo to each score 250+ points in their teams first ten games: The only others in league history to have done so at that time? It remains the biggest shot of his career. The ball was in his hands down the stretch, I had no problem with it win or lose. [46] On March 28, McCollum had a 42-point effort, which came in a 108103 loss to the Grizzlies. To get his team over the hump, Ingram must consistently play at a superstar level the rest of the way. Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and . 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. 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. 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. The fact that each guard played in 90+ percent of the games they shared together. McCollum played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks and was named the Patriot League Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2012. For better or worse, there havent been many duos quite like them. inCanton,Ohio 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game. A couple hundred tickets remain, and three days. Both are generational talents with name recognition having good to outstanding seasons so that cache and respect goes a long way with NBA fans. We have great human beings in here. Despite. To open the 2020-21 campaign, the talented two-guard played as if that stat was on his psyche. 2. NBA.com is part of Warner . Call 1-800-GAMBLER. I guess we got lucky. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. Bleacher Report Floats Bridges, ONeale Trade to the Trail Blazers. [20], Exercising their fourth-year team option on September 30, 2015, the Trail Blazers extended McCollum's rookie scale-contract through the 201617 season. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Off the court, McCollum has long taken a keen interest in journalism. Lillard helped bridge the gap between award-winning hip-hop artist and one of the faces of Adidas. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. CJ is big on that, backup point guard Jose Alvarado said. He consistently made the right play and was unbothered by Portlands attempts to run double teams or zone coverages to force him into mistakes. After starting the game 5/8 from the three-point line, the Pelicans finished just 5/21. 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 Broke My Back, Spinal! Play-In Game, 2020 vs. MEM. 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. Michael Reaves/Getty Images) I would say this is the most unique position we've been in probably since I was traded here, to be honest. 'I get paid like an All-Star.