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On a contending Rockets team, Harden is one of the most popular players in the game and already a seven-time All-Star. Coaches, players, and the media already have the utmost respect for McCollum. 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. One of the most durable scorers in the game, he finished second in west guard voting last year. CJ McCollum not worried about an All-Star nomination. Combining for 62 PTS, @CJMcCollum (33p/8r/5a) & @Dame_Lillard (29p/4r/6a) propel the @trailblazers to a 2-0 series lead! us, High School: Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports. Just long, athletic guys all over the place. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Afterward, Alvarado said New Orleans stars not having inflated egos is part of why the team has a strong locker room. The Chris Haynes Interview on ESPN March 2018. Lillard helped bridge the gap between award-winning hip-hop artist and one of the faces of Adidas. [73], McCollum hosts a weekly podcast, Pull Up with CJ McCollum, that is produced by Cadence13. 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. Stepping Up to the Champs Game 1, 2017 West First Round vs. GSW. [77], McCollum has been married to his college sweetheart Elise Esposito since October 27, 2020. On April 16, 2017, Portland lost 121109 to the Warriors in Game 1 of the first-round series; yet McCollum's 41 points during the game was his postseason career-best and made him only the eighth Blazer with a 40-point playoff performance. 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. 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. 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. [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. 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. once 30-8 and No. Then Ill enjoy a nice vacation with my wife. Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard, who was snubbed as an All-Star starter, was a shoe-in. 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. All-Star honors stick on a resume forever and he might be the best active player without those bragging rights. That, along with a disruptive defender in Jones, led to remarkable results. 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. Talk about Blazers vs. Hawks First Half Here! CJ McCollum will be in attendance for NBA All-Star Weekend in February. Find out more. He picked apart every coverage the Blazers threw at him and turned in one of the most efficient scoring performances of his career. 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. 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. [75] Guests on the show have included Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony. Not just great basketball players. 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. 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. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Its all the work I put in. Dame Lillard (34) & CJ McCollum (41) combine for 75 @TrailBlazers points. He is a New Orleans native. 2. Meanwhile, Anthony has been playing fairly at 36-years-old with the Blazers. "Just like practice, only a longer game, a couple more foul calls and fans there," he said. The two used to guard each other during Portland practice sessions when they wanted to light a fire under their teammates, and McCollums effort had the same effect on his new club. [3] Even though he was already considered virtually destined to be a top NBA draft pick by his third year, he decided to finish his final year of college instead of leaving sooner for the NBA. Just staying consistent in playing super hard all the time, forward Herb Jones told The Athletic. For Lillard and McCollum, that cohesion was at its most prolific in the spring of 2019. 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. 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. 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. Itll be what its going to be.. He was a 201213 Senior CLASS Award finalist. Major League Baseball on Friday pulled this year's All-Star Game out of Atlanta in protest of Georgia's new restrictive voting law. It . Odds & lines subject to change. [82] McCollum also helps foster local youths' interest in journalists through an initiative called CJ's Press Pass; it grants aspiring journalists access to postgame news conferences and provides them the opportunity to attend events with McCollum, to receive personalized mentorship from members of the media, and to have their work published. 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. Throwing different looks, scrambling (and) multiple efforts.. Though, if there were a measuring stick, his eight-game stretch from Jan. 17 to Feb. 1, 2020 might be it. 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. You know what Im saying? For the season, he would average 20.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists a night across 80 games. 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. [84] He has his own label, McCollum Heritage 91, named after the street he grew up on and his birth year. The historic, 68-point, 23-assist game the two had against Sacramento on Jan. 14, 2021. It paid off tonight, Ingram told The Athletic. Damian Lillard. While on the sidelines during a break in the action, McCollum caught a glimpse of the Smoothie King Center jumbotron. On July 27, 2016, McCollum signed a four-year contract extension with Portland. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 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. [19] In the season-opener on October 25, he put up 25 points to help defeat the Utah Jazz, 113104. #RipCity #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/gx5FvsyBgy. [3] McCollum would eventually benefit from a late growth spurt, gaining five inches by his second year and another four inches by his third year of high school; it proved enough to put him on the radar for college recruitment. To get his team over the hump, Ingram must consistently play at a superstar level the rest of the way. It was the second time hes scored at least 40 points in a game without logging a turnover. home/away, monthly, etc More CJ McCollum Basketball Reference pages, 2022-23 Pelicans CJ . You can get full details here or simply visit the Trail Blazers ticket site and click Buying Options to donate a ticket or two! This was no longer the case in 2019-20, with the unorthodox, truncated NBA Restart leaving teams unable to play over a four-month span from mid-March to late-July. Because so many special moments followed each other, one after another in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals, well cheat. It's an undeserving slight given McCollum's career and current season. You dont get to have these moments forever. And, in one of the more high-consequence games in recent Blazers memory, his running mate CJ McCollum all the while playing through a L3 vertebral transverse process fracture in his back was just as scintillating as the two combined for 60 points. McCollum led the Mountain Hawks to the 2010 NCAA tournament, where he put up 26 points in a first-round loss to a top-seeded Kansas team. Shooting Guard 1 in minutes played (15,750) with McCollum at No. Vote here: https://n. McCollum has a podcast studio in his home and brings portable recording equipment with him when he is out of town. 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. Jordan Poole getting on the same star list as teammates Klay Thompson and Curry? Taking care of business for the players. Data Provided By Liddell (right knee ACL injury recovery). Things got even more difficult as Lillard repeatedly roasted Willy Hernangomez, forcing the replacement Pelicans center to move his feet out in space. McCollum is shooting a healthy 40.1% on catch-and-shoot 3s this season. The year after the Blazers drafted Lillard No. 'Whatever seed we are, we're ready': Is there room for Cleveland among the East elite? During his third year in the league in 2015-16, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player [1] . Tonight marks the first-ever game between Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. "It's cool to compete against your peers and your friends and people that you respect and you worked with. NBA.com is part of Warner . A consummate student of journalism, McCollum penned an article for Sporting News explaining why he opted to continue on with his education. Jose Alvarado, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Dennis Schroder, DAngelo Russell, Troy Brown Jr., Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis. Buthe is the only member of the Trail Blazers to make the cut. McCollum, who is in his 10th season, has never been named an All-Star. 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. 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. )[23] McCollum was able to resume his starting shooting guard role on January 4 as Lillard was back on his feet, returned from injury. While Lillard ended up scoring 41 points, he was less effective as the game progressed. In celebration for those, we look back at eight-and-a-half of their greatest moments in tandem. [5] Also, he was an Associated Press honorable mention All-American. 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. You could argue I should have made it in previous years. The Center aims to provide a safe and inspiring space for underserved youth to learn, explore, create, and grow. [46] On March 28, McCollum had a 42-point effort, which came in a 108103 loss to the Grizzlies. 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. 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. That didnt stop the Blazers duo from putting together signature moments in the process. [7], Over his four collegiate years, McCollum added 30 pounds of muscle to fill out his frame. But its more about team success.. He has still played in 38 of a possible 43 games. I Broke My Back, Spinal! Play-In Game, 2020 vs. MEM. 3jmccollum, Position: CJ McCollum was drafted by Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft. But as long as we remain solid and be us, then we are going to be all right.. [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. But I think its about team success. 7 in minutes played (15,030). 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]. Theres no easy pick which game led to the fastest heartbeat; each was packed with pressure and high-stakes implications. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. 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. Theres: (1) The Rodney Hood Game, the 4OT thriller in Game Three, (3) The CJ McCollum Game, the Game 7 comeback. McCollum scored a season-high 42 points to go along with a franchise-record 11 made three-pointers. CJ McCollumhas averaged 32.4 points, 8.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds in 8 games without Damian Lillardthis season. The 2021 All Star Game in Indianapolis is still almost a year away. The Thunder opened up a double-digit lead midway through the second and a 70.6 percent win probability at that before the Blazers star duo did what expectations suggested they should: This sequence by Damian Lillard is still iconic pic.twitter.com/yZfuiLLfWx. If McCollum makes his first All-Star appearance next month, he would happily play. 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. 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. 8. There are 21 games over the next 6 weeks to garner some more fan votes. [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. When that swap with the Portland Trail Blazers was finalized on Feb. 8, New Orleans record was 22-32. Despite his stature, McCollum played varsity as a freshman for the Golden Eagles, relying on his athleticism. 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. inCanton,Ohio The Bulls add by subtraction while the Raptors bring on a sneaky good addition to their second unit. I know this is something that doesnt last forever, McCollum shared after the victory. [71] On December 22, McCollum put up 40 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in a 126117 win over the San Antonio Spurs. 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. Both are generational talents with name recognition having good to outstanding seasons so that cache and respect goes a long way with NBA fans. 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. [55] McCollum missed 10 games over late March and early April with a left knee injury. McCollum deserves the honor and has time to prove it this season. As New Orleans continues to scrounge for ways to win games amid its injury woes, Green discovering this lineup could be a significant development. Defense for offense typifies this fantasy trade. 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. McCollum named Kia NBA Most Improved Player", "C.J. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. [35] He set another career-high for points scored with 43 on January 1 during a 9589 win over the Timberwolves. 1 all-time for players never making an appearance in the star-studded exhibition game. That spring of 2019 was something else, was it not? Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. After starting the game 5/8 from the three-point line, the Pelicans finished just 5/21. A reserve in his first two years, he became a full-time starter for the Trail Blazers in his third season after making the decision to move to shooting guard as the Blazers lost LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, and Robin Lopez in free agency following the end of the 2014-15 season. [65], On December 7, 2021, McCollum was diagnosed with a pneumothorax and was ruled out indefinitely. McCollum played college basketball for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks and was named the Patriot League Player of the Year in both 2010 and 2012. Off the court, McCollum has long taken a keen interest in journalism. 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. [59] Portland went on to lose the Conference Finals in a four-game sweep to the Warriors. The win moved New Orleans to 1.5 games ahead of Portland in the West. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. March 4, 2023, 12:40 AM. pic.twitter.com/xg2mvYWjBX. Despite. '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. 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. And he didn't even spend his whole time with that team wearing the number they retired in his honor. The former NBA Most Improved Player in 2015-16 has. As McCollum dressed at his locker, Jaxson Hayes screamed, Second team All-Defense, CJ McCollum! Long before they teamed up in Portland, McCollum (Lehigh University) and Lillard (Weber State University) took turns leading the nation in scoring. 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. A glimpse into the future Game 4, 2015 West First Round vs. MEM. On the box score, Game Threes 140-137 win would likely suffice. Ingram put on a masterclass in controlling an offense while operating within the 15-to-18-foot range. The fact that each guard played in 90+ percent of the games they shared together. [42] He recorded as many as 36 points during a 9897 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on November 7. When one didnt have it, the other did, as evidenced by each of them averaging 25+ over the seven-game series. Depending on your preferred story arc, its likely that everyone has a different favorite. 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. The Pelicans star forward finished the win with a season-high 40 points while also chipping in six rebounds and five assists. Ingram put on a shot-making clinic against a Portland defense that could not prevent him from getting anywhere he wanted. He came out with the kind of desperate mindset McCollum called for pregame, but he didnt allow that to translate into recklessness. During the Pelicans win against the Wizards, Alvarado kept telling McCollum what he was seeing on the court during stoppages in play. [17], On October 27, 2014, Portland exercised their third-year team option to extended McCollum's rookie scale contract through 201516. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. 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. McCollum looked like a bonafide All-Star before suffering a left mid-foot fracture that sidelined him for nearly two months. The list of things going right for Portland is pretty small. [70], On September 24, 2022, McCollum agreed to a two-year, $64 million extension with the Pelicans. For those who can remember at the time, it offered a look into sides of the Blazers duo that hadnt been seen as often. Im going to be more efficient. 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. Staying confident in everything that Im doing. [21] With four of Portland's previous startersLaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, and Robin Lopezhaving departed, only star point guard Damian Lillard remained; thus McCollum was elevated to starting shooting guard to join Lillard in the backcourt for the 201516 campaign. Dubs' Curry (leg) could return as soon as Sun. We were able to get to it and we liked what we saw. Lillard could offer some advice on how to deal with it. 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. If Im going to be an elite guard, Ive got to pick up full court sometimes and do whatever it takes, McCollum said. He smiled, folded his hands together, and took a bow of appreciation. [48], Across 70 games, starting in all of them, McCollum would average 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists for the season. When McCollum made his first visit back to Portland last March, Lillard was sidelined by season-ending surgery to repair an abdominal injury. It wasthe main reason they were able to close out this win. McCollum was named First Team All-Conference. [3], McCollum played at the private research school Lehigh University for four seasons. [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. So I was just trying to take it all in.. The ball was in his hands down the stretch, I had no problem with it win or lose. [27] McCollum would subsequently earn NBA Most Improved Player honors for his breakout 201516 season. 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. 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. In a considerably superior environment with more talent, the Warriors often got the better end of the stick. NEW ORLEANS, La. 1991 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. Dynamic duos dont survive nearly a full decade together without learning how to reach peak performance simultaneously. Damian Lillard spoke about the Blazers trading CJ McCollum pic.twitter.com/KGgKUasAex. Listed at 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 165lb (75kg) as a freshman in 200910, he made an immediate impact for the Mountain Hawks. 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. McCollum is still finding his rhythm since returning to the Trail Blazers lineup. 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. On Tuesday, the official NBA All-Star reserves list was released with just two weeks remaining before the game is set to take place. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. The days and weeks to come wouldnt be as celebratory. CJ McCollum ( New Orleans Pelicans) with a 3-pointer vs the Golden State Warriors, 03/03/2023. The only thing holding CJ back from being an allstar is Dame. Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (10th pick, 10th overall), 2013 NBA Draft, More CJ McCollum pages at Sports Reference. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. [81], McCollum is involved in his community as a radio personality and philanthropist. I think that was the desperation we need to play with moving forward. [76], On May 30, 2022, McCollum signed a multiplatform deal with ESPN to be an NBA analyst. That means sometimes I might have it going, but hes the closer. [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. CJ McCollum is on Instagram at 3jmccollum. Can you help us send children in need to see the Blazers play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, March 29th? We came out and just competed, played hard. McCollum doesnt only dispense advice. 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. 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 . Had he stayed healthy, he surely would be a top-10 guard in the Western Conference. After . Blazers Play Like Field Mice Against Hawks, Get Eaten Up. Do you have a sports website? Locked in on defense! from a few chairs down. For nearly a full decade, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum shared the backcourt for the Portland Trail Blazers, staking their claim as one of the NBAs most potent 1-2 punches. It is happy to see Lillard being a part of the All-star game a reserve, but we all would have loved seeing Anything and McCollum join their teammate in Atlanta on March 7.