C.J. McCollum on Role, New Challenges and Expanding His Game

[42N8Bounce]

Nice Article on CJ -

He’s representative of the way opportunity and hard work can combine to become greater than the sum of their parts.

I love it that the Blazers have two high-character guys as the face of the organization.

 

[blue9]

I haven't read the article (yet), but I think I got off the "Trade CJ" train a few stops back. I still don't know if a Dame/CJ backcourt can compete for a championship, but for now I'm interested in seeing how far they can take us. What I really want is to see what a new coach can do with them before throwing in the towel. I may rekindle the notion that one of them needs to be traded - but it probably won't be until the 17/18 season at the earliest.

 

[Natebishop3]

I haven't read the article (yet), but I think I got off the "Trade CJ" train a few stops back. I still don't know if a Dame/CJ backcourt can compete for a championship, but for now I'm interested in seeing how far they can take us. What I really want is to see what a new coach can do with them before throwing in the towel. I may rekindle the notion that one of them needs to be traded - but it probably won't be until the 17/18 season at the earliest.

Luke Walton - make it so.

 

[blue9]

Luke Walton - make it so.

I don't know if you received multiple notifications - but I liked and unliked your comment several times, to show just how much I like it!
If I were PA I'd throw a 5 year, $10M per year contract at him this summer.
I'm fine squandering away this season under Terry, but this summer we MUST hire a new coach. Luke is near, or at, the top of my "realistic" list.

 

[theprunetang]

Luke Walton - make it so.

I actually like Stotts. But, I would probably pull the trigger on replacing him with Walton in the off-season. I don't think terry has done anything to deserve getting booted, but this is a business, and you have to do what you have to do to make a team better. Can I guarantee that Walton would be better? Nope. But it is a chance I would take. And, that is coming from a supporter of Stotts.

And I know blue9 and some others will disagree with some of my stated opinions, but, we still reach the same conclusion in regards to Walton.

 

[riverman]

I think the thing that impresses me most about CJ and all these guys is that they seem to really love to play basketball..they are not mailing it in and grumbling, they are not about themselves...team first

 

[theprunetang]

I think the thing that impresses me most about CJ and all these guys is that they seem to really love to play basketball..they are not mailing it in and grumbling, they are not about themselves...team first

I personally love having dame and cj on this team. With the right personnel surrounding them, I think they could be a two headed monster that helps us win a lot in the future.

 

[42N8Bounce]

I personally love having dame and cj on this team. With the right personnel surrounding them, I think they could be a two headed monster that helps us win a lot in the future.

I think they'll be much more dangerous if/when the Blazers can develop a post scorer to take some of the pressure off of them. As it stands now, the entire defense is focused on shutting those 2 down and they're still producing at a high level.

 

[blue9]

With the right personnel surrounding them, I think they could be a two headed monster that helps us win a lot in the future.

I'm beginning to think that way, too.
As much as I love Plumlee, his erratic production really rekindles my interest in DMC. I think Dame/CJ/DMC could be a lethal combination. All we'd need is a starting SF and we'd be set. With DMC we could play either (a developed) Meyers or Ed Davis in the starting line-up.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Luke Walton - make it so.

Or coach Thibs.

 

[theprunetang]

I'm beginning to think that way, too.
As much as I love Plumlee, his erratic production really rekindles my interest in DMC. I think Dame/CJ/DMC could be a lethal combination. All we'd need is a starting SF and we'd be set. With DMC we could play either (a developed) Meyers or Ed Davis in the starting line-up.

I can see all of that. I actually like the versatility that Plumlee brings; active hands on defense, burgeoning passing game, athleticism, and the ability to handle the ball. I think it might be more prudent to upgrade the post scoring from the pf position and keep the center spot as the scrappy position. And all of this depends on how fast olshey wants to get the team into some semblance of contention. To me the 3 and 4 need the biggest upgrades and we could possibly contend faster by upgrading that now. However, the plan could be more of a slow burner, because, at least in my opinion, we have good young prospects at those positions in Noah and Maurice. Will they take time to mature? Damned straight. Will they ever reach the level that ii am hoping for? No idea. But, given the recently restructured nature of this team, I could see either swinging for the fences early, or being patient and giving things some time.

 

[MarAzul]

Luke Walton - make it so.

Man, I wanted Walton last year, this year, next year...

 

[blue9]

I can see all of that. I actually like the versatility that Plumlee brings; active hands on defense, burgeoning passing game, athleticism, and the ability to handle the ball. I think it might be more prudent to upgrade the post scoring from the pf position and keep the center spot as the scrappy position.

Agreed. And like I say, I really like Plumlee. But Boogie can do everything Plumlee can (defend, pass, dribble) at a higher and more consistent rate, but also adds both the inside and outside game that Plumlee mostly or entirely lacks.
As for the PF position - I've always felt like it should be the hard-hat, journeyman position of most NBA teams. The PF's primary role should rarely be scoring, but rather doing the little things that make the rest of the team better than the sum of its parts. Bosh proved he can set aside his role as Alpha in order to truly play the role of a PF for the good of the team - but frankly I always found him to be a waste of money when MIA built their Big 3. I really preferred the Wade/Shaq/Haslem championship team. I'd really like to see Ed Davis work on a 10-15' jumper and play in the mold of Haslem/Buck.

 

[BonesJones]

I have Laker fans on my team that continue to hate on him. They won't even admit he's better than Clarkson or Russell. I made a bet with one that CJ would drop at least 16 a game. Easy money.

 

[theprunetang]

I have Laker fans on my team that continue to hate on him. They won't even admit he's better than Clarkson or Russell. I made a bet with one that CJ would drop at least 16 a game. Easy money.

That was a great bet on your part. And going back to cj.... sure there are still things he needs to work on, but to show this much improvement and consistency in his first real playing time says a lot. He is shooting up the charts pretty damned quickly. And knowing that he is selfless, intelligent, and hardworking should have us all pretty excited we were able to get him as a late lottery pick. That was a true score. I look forward to cj improving his game for years to come.

 

[theprunetang]

Agreed. And like I say, I really like Plumlee. But Boogie can do everything Plumlee can (defend, pass, dribble) at a higher and more consistent rate, but also adds both the inside and outside game that Plumlee mostly or entirely lacks.
As for the PF position - I've always felt like it should be the hard-hat, journeyman position of most NBA teams. The PF's primary role should rarely be scoring, but rather doing the little things that make the rest of the team better than the sum of its parts. Bosh proved he can set aside his role as Alpha in order to truly play the role of a PF for the good of the team - but frankly I always found him to be a waste of money when MIA built their Big 3. I really preferred the Wade/Shaq/Haslem championship team. I'd really like to see Ed Davis work on a 10-15' jumper and play in the mold of Haslem/Buck.

I follow you and can view it from your perspective. I am just kind of weary when it comes to Cousins. I am not sure he could be the kind of true team player that helps a team become better than the sum of its parts. He very well could surprise me. And also, I am down with having a scrapper and a more skilled player as the starting 4 or 5. I just don't think it matters all that much whether it is the 4 or 5. They are starting to become pretty interchangeable in today's nba.

 

[KingSpeed]

Steph Curry and Draymond Green have made Luke Waltom very rich.

 

[BonesJones]

That was a great bet on your part. And going back to cj.... sure there are still things he needs to work on, but to show this much improvement and consistency in his first real playing time says a lot. He is shooting up the charts pretty damned quickly. And knowing that he is selfless, intelligent, and hardworking should have us all pretty excited we were able to get him as a late lottery pick. That was a true score. I look forward to cj improving his game for years to come.

Its like taking candy from a baby. The same dude said Russell would lead the league in assists if he played on a good team hahaha. Also bet him that the Blazers would win more games.

 

[theprunetang]

Its like taking candy from a baby. The same dude said Russell would lead the league in assists if he played on a good team hahaha. Also bet him that the Blazers would win more games.

Like a bandit. ..... .

 

[MarAzul]

Steph Curry and Draymond Green have made Luke Waltom very rich.

Naw, Walton has been on the watch list by smart people for some time.
http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/who-would-you-replace-stotts-with.283681/page-2

 

[Tunchi]

Honestly I think anybody with a decent basketball mind can coach the Warriors. That team is staaaaacked. If anything their gm is more impressive than the coach. Shit Terry Stotts would have a field day with that roster..

So I don't see what the fascination with Walton is. I can be swayed though I just don't see what the hype is about..

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If CJ wanted a real challenge he should expand his height.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I'm beginning to think that way, too.
As much as I love Plumlee, his erratic production really rekindles my interest in DMC. I think Dame/CJ/DMC could be a lethal combination. All we'd need is a starting SF and we'd be set. With DMC we could play either (a developed) Meyers or Ed Davis in the starting line-up.

Keep Plums where he is and get someone at the PF position that actually plays in the paint. Maybe Vonleh can turn into this in another year or two? Probably not. Blake Griffin maybe? He plays more mid range though... Not sure, but I dont think Plums is a negative. I think he will play even better with a solid PF next to him in the interior. It will allow Plums to play at the top of the key for screens and passing alot more. Spread our wins out, etc. Its the PF I think we should focus on, not the C.

 

[blue9]

Honestly I think anybody with a decent basketball mind can coach the Warriors. That team is staaaaacked. If anything their gm is more impressive than the coach. Shit Terry Stotts would have a field day with that roster..

So I don't see what the fascination with Walton is. I can be swayed though I just don't see what the hype is about..

Honestly, I don't know enough about him - but I've jumped on the hype train.

In the NBA nobody will say a bad thing about anyone, and everyone - especially coaches - are quick to give credit to their assistants, rather than taking credit themselves. Usually when these platitudes are handed out I roll my eyes. Yet somehow I feel like all the comments I've read about Luke's coaching attributes are genuine. I'm not one that thinks Phil was the best coach of the modern NBA - better than most, but he pales in comparison to Pops, Sloan, and DET-era Brown. However, the fact that he saw something in Luke while Luke was a player, and took him under his wing says a lot to me. He also grew up as the son of an incredibly smart player. And while many think that it's just GSW's incredible roster that has gotten them their current W/L record, I think that at least a portion of the credit has to go to Luke - coaching is still a very important ingredient to winning, even with all the talent in the world.

 

[blue9]

Keep Plums where he is and get someone at the PF position that actually plays in the paint. Maybe Vonleh can turn into this in another year or two? Probably not. Blake Griffin maybe? He plays more mid range though... Not sure, but I dont think Plums is a negative. I think he will play even better with a solid PF next to him in the interior. It will allow Plums to play at the top of the key for screens and passing alot more. Spread our wins out, etc. Its the PF I think we should focus on, not the C.

An interior PF playing alongside Plumlee would clog the middle - it's why we rarely play Plumlee/Davis at the same time.

Give me a Udonis Haslem, Buck Williams, Brian Grant, Horace Grant, David West, or last-5-years Tim Duncan at PF - a hardhat guy who does the little things that help a team win, and who can chip in just enough 10' jumpers with a few post moves to keep the defense honest. Vonleh may actually be perfect in that role once he starts developing some offense. Spend the money on wings and a C.

 

[Orion Bailey]

An interior PF playing alongside Plumlee would clog the middle - it's why we rarely play Plumlee/Davis at the same time.

Give me a Udonis Haslem, Buck Williams, Brian Grant, Horace Grant, David West, or last-5-years Tim Duncan at PF - a hardhat guy who does the little things that help a team win, and who can chip in just enough 10' jumpers with a few post moves to keep the defense honest. Vonleh may actually be perfect in that role once he starts developing some offense. Spend the money on wings and a C.

Two things. When we DID play plums and Davis together they kicked ass if I recall. Second. An interior guy would put Plums at the top of the key or Free throw line to run the ball through as a passer. Maybe you missed that part?

I dont think we take enough advantage of his clear above average passing ability. Put a paint dweller in there. If he has an outside shot great, but focus would be rebounding, lobs and put backs. Let plums be a go through. Let people run around around him and set screen and plums will find the open man.
I think a buck Williams would work great next to Plums. Duckworth was never an outside guy, so why wouldnt Plums work with a Paint oriented PF?

 

[blue9]

Two things. When we DID play plums and Davis together they kicked ass if I recall. Second. An interior guy would put Plums at the top of the key or Free throw line to run the ball through as a passer. Maybe you missed that part?

I dont think we take enough advantage of his clear above average passing ability. Put a paint dweller in there. If he has an outside shot great, but focus would be rebounding, lobs and put backs. Let plums be a go through. Let people run around around him and set screen and plums will find the open man.
I think a buck Williams would work great next to Plums. Duckworth was never an outside guy, so why wouldnt Plums work with a Paint oriented PF?

Duckworth could hit a 10' jumper. Neither Ed nor Mason can. Playing them together worked for one short stint - if we did it regularly it'd be scouted and wouldn't work. Dame and CJ would rarely get to the rim with Ed/Mason's defenders being able to sag all the way in.
It seems like you're thinking Plumlee can play the high/low game that we last saw with Camby/LMA, but that only worked because Camby could hit a jumper.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Duckworth could hit a 10' jumper. Neither Ed nor Mason can. Playing them together worked for one short stint - if we did it regularly it'd be scouted and wouldn't work. Dame and CJ would rarely get to the rim with Ed/Mason's defenders being able to sag all the way in.
It seems like you're thinking Plumlee can play the high/low game that we last saw with Camby/LMA, but that only worked because Camby could hit a jumper.

Fair enough. That makes sense.

 

[BBert]

Honestly I think anybody with a decent basketball mind can coach the Warriors. That team is staaaaacked. If anything their gm is more impressive than the coach. Shit Terry Stotts would have a field day with that roster..

So I don't see what the fascination with Walton is. I can be swayed though I just don't see what the hype is about..

Same here. Walton took over an established CHAMPIONSHIP team with an established system and established leadership/pecking order and made ZERO changes.

Brilliant.

Heck, I bet even Phil Jackson could win with this team. Provided he didn't change anything, that is. So on second thought, never mind.