CJ MCCOLLUM APPRECIATION THREAD!

[blue9]

Can I ask why you hate Curry so much? LOL! It seems like you just decided you weren't going to like him at the beginning of the year.

Mainly as a counter-balance to the crazy people who think he could replace CJ. I saw him as essentially a Napier replacement, and that's exactly what he is. I wasn't a big fan of Bazz, not a big fan of Curry. Curry's shooting is better for the Stottsfense though.

Personally, I think CJ and Curry are pretty similar on defense. Curry has also come up with some timely defensive plays (big steals, taking charges) so if we're going to give CJ credit for that we also need to give Curry credit for that. With either one though we're in trouble if they have to log most of their minutes guarding a bigger wing who can create.

I totally agree. But from reading posts in here it seems like people think Curry is a vastly superior defender than CJ. And that's just ridiculous. Last season it was all about how CJ was a black-hole but people loved Bazz...despite the fact Bazz would routinely chuck a 3 early in the clock without even looking to make a pass. Basically, the things people hate CJ for, they'll totally ignore when his back-up is also guilty of the same thing.

 

[hoopsjock]

This sums up my perspective perfectly. Some (such as myself) were dissatisfied with the way CJ's "skills" translated into contributions to wins. In this series, he seems to have altered his play for the better. That doesn't negate prior criticism--in fact it validates it. Were CJ to play consistently the way he's played this series, I think it's fair to say that his detractors would be far fewer.

Exactly! My hope is that seeing the team be successful for a few weeks while he was sitting taught him a little bit about how to help the team win more when he got back. The playoffs are such a small sample size though so it's hard to tell if that's the case or not.

 

[hoopsjock]

Mainly as a counter-balance to the crazy people who think he could replace CJ. I saw him as essentially a Napier replacement, and that's exactly what he is. I wasn't a big fan of Bazz, not a big fan of Curry. Curry's shooting is better for the Stottsfense though.


I totally agree. But from reading posts in here it seems like people think Curry is a vastly superior defender than CJ. And that's just ridiculous. Last season it was all about how CJ was a black-hole but people loved Bazz...despite the fact Bazz would routinely chuck a 3 early in the clock without even looking to make a pass. Basically, the things people hate CJ for, they'll totally ignore when his back-up is also guilty of the same thing.

I think you're reading way too much into the opinion of a few posters. I think most people recognize that all three (CJ, Curry, and Napier) are shoot first players. I will say that Curry played really well when CJ was out though. That doesn't mean he's the answer long term as a CJ replacement but the team didn't miss a beat without CJ (granted there were a lot of bad opponents mixed in there).

 

[kjironman1]

CJ IS THE MAN! THIS is exactly why you don't trade CJ. You NEED guys who can create their own shot in the POs, and CJ is one of the best in the league.

Also, that play where he ripped the ball from Paul, went 3/4 length of the court and drilled the 3 was NAAAASTY. That steal alone was one of the best steals I've ever seen. Then to cap it off with the pull-up 3 with a defender on your back? GTFO, man - it's too good!

TNT Kenny was all about saying taking that shot was a bad decision that he was lucky to make. I was not sure on that statement. CJ can make that shot. He was open and i don't mind him taking it.

 

[CupWizier]

I think you're reading way too much into the opinion of a few posters. I think most people recognize that all three (CJ, Curry, and Napier) are shoot first players. I will say that Curry played really well when CJ was out though. That doesn't mean he's the answer long term as a CJ replacement but the team didn't miss a beat without CJ (granted there were a lot of bad opponents mixed in there).

He's actually spot on as I have seen the posters he is referring to and their dogging on CJ all season long. Is he passing more or are guys hitting shots more? Probably a combination of both.

 

[CupWizier]

TNT Kenny was all about saying taking that shot was a bad decision that he was lucky to make. I was not sure on that statement. CJ can make that shot. He was open and i don't mind him taking it.

That's a shot he can make in his sleep and it appeared he was setting up to either get the shot away or get fouled and getting 3 free throws.

 

[wizenheimer]

I really don't want to bash CJ here in this thread, so please don't take this as me doing so.

However, every single defensive metric shows CJ is really bad at defense. He does try hard, I'll give him that. I also agree that chasing him around on offense does wear out opposing players. PG has been guarding him a lot this series and that is contributing to his struggles.

Yes, CJ has forced PG into a couple of tough shots in this series but please don't mistake a couple of possessions for someone being good at defense. There is a reason why our defense has been really good against OKC and that is because like I said in my previous post the Thunder don't have the personnel to exploit him.

CJ's been great this series. If he continues to shoot +50% from 3 then the Blazers are going to be very difficult to knock out of the playoffs. The people who want CJ traded also wish that CJ would improve his efficiency and his passing. In addition to defense I like to monitor three stats in particular with CJ which are TS%, Points Per Shot, and AST%. So far in this series his TS% is 58.7% (up from 55.3% in the regular season) which would be even better if he wasn't shooting just 43.1% on 2 point attempts. His Points Per Shot is 1.28 (up from 1.18 in the regular season). His AST% is a phenomenal 21.7% (way up from his poor regular season of just 13.8%, which was by far his lowest in the 4 years post Aldridge). If this is who CJ is, sign me up for him being a lifelong Blazer!

This sums up my perspective perfectly. Some (such as myself) were dissatisfied with the way CJ's "skills" translated into contributions to wins. In this series, he seems to have altered his play for the better. That doesn't negate prior criticism--in fact it validates it. Were CJ to play consistently the way he's played this series, I think it's fair to say that his detractors would be far fewer.

yep...as a past CJ detractor I think those views are spot-on

CJ had weak game 1 in this series but he's been great in the last 3 games. He's been the sidekick that Dame needs. I think every Blazer fan dreads the top of the 2nd and 4th quarters when Dame gets his rests. Far too often the offense has stalled in those periods and given momentum to the opponent. But last night in the 4th quarter, CJ was primary in Portland maintaining the lead they had built.

and a big positive factor is for the most part, he's avoided his black-hole tendencies, He had some 1-on-5-dribble-heavy action in the first half last night that was frustrating but he didn't do that in the 2nd half

also, he's averaging 4.5 assists in this series compared to 3.0 in the regular season. That's a big improvement

 

[hoopsjock]

He's actually spot on as I have seen the posters he is referring to and their dogging on CJ all season long. Is he passing more or are guys hitting shots more? Probably a combination of both.

My point is that a vocal minority doesn't mean that a majority of people feel that way.

 

[CupWizier]

My point is that a vocal minority doesn't mean that a majority of people feel that way.

I don't recall that blue9 made the claim that "majority of people" feel that way. As I recall he merely mentioned that some posters feel that way which is what I was agreeing with. If I missed it, can you point it out then?

 

[hoopsjock]

I don't recall that blue9 made the claim that "majority of people" feel that way. As I recall he merely mentioned that some posters feel that way which is what I was agreeing with. If I missed it, can you point it out then?

I'm talking about what happens in general in forums like this. A vocal minority really doesn't like CJ. Most people though can recognize both his strengths and flaws. After the game last night there were a couple of posts saying stuff like "I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who still believed in CJ" and stuff like that. It's just a manipulation of the criticism.

 

[kjironman1]

That's a shot he can make in his sleep and it appeared he was setting up to either get the shot away or get fouled and getting 3 free throws.

Yeah he was pretty much straight on but it could have been blocked clean also. It was a little close. Making it was huge. I don't mind him shooting it at all.

 

[CupWizier]

I'm talking about what happens in general in forums like this. A vocal minority really doesn't like CJ. Most people though can recognize both his strengths and flaws. After the game last night there were a couple of posts saying stuff like "I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who still believed in CJ" and stuff like that. It's just a manipulation of the criticism.

ok, but not sure what that has to do with me or the response you made to MY post. If you want to male a blanket statement then just post it on its own as your response had nothing to do with what I posted.

 

[CupWizier]

Yeah he was pretty much straight on but it could have been blocked clean also. It was a little close. Making it was huge. I don't mind him shooting it at all.

If you go back and watch how CJ set himself up he was leaning a bit more forward to shoot than usual which looked to me like it would have been difficult to block without fouling as Grant was also on the run and CJ used his body to clear a little space. McCollum has shown he can be an assassin and that was a prime example

 

[Pinwheel1]

These playoffs, and the view of CJ, will ultimately come down to the supporting cast. Someone other than he and Dame will have to make open shots and if they don't, both will feel the need to take over offensively. And yes that means forcing shots. Players much better than CJ have fallen into the same predicament and have gotten criticized for it when desperation kicks in. But if someone else is hot ....ball movement improves.

Last night was a great win but who in the 4th quarter hit big shots? (besides Collins early and Hark on the pass from Dame) Chief played great all game long, but still bricked two wide open 3's in the last 5 minutes of the game. Someone needs to step up, if not in this series the next. And if they don't, guess who gets the blame?

 

[Hoopguru]

If you go back and watch how CJ set himself up he was leaning a bit more forward to shoot than usual which looked to me like it would have been difficult to block without fouling as Grant was also on the run and CJ used his body to clear a little space. McCollum has shown he can be an assassin and that was a prime example

Cup, good to see ya back man!
When you were in HS and after did you play in legion ball? If so, I played for Taylor Electric.
Harold Taylor was my Connie Mack coach through 5th grade through 8th grade.

 

[Hoopguru]

If you go back and watch how CJ set himself up he was leaning a bit more forward to shoot than usual which looked to me like it would have been difficult to block without fouling as Grant was also on the run and CJ used his body to clear a little space. McCollum has shown he can be an assassin and that was a prime example

Honestly, there are not to many that are as crafty as he's become. He's getting better and better at it also!

 

[CupWizier]

Cup, good to see ya back man!
When you were in HS and after did you play in legion ball? If so, I played for Taylor Electric.
Harold Taylor was my Connie Mack coach through 5th grade through 8th grade.

Grant's legion ball team was Benjamin Franklin as they had a branch in the Hollywood district. I didn't play Babe Ruth baseball my 15 year old year as i played on our legion team. We had just finished a very strong season and although it would have been fun, it wouldn't have been challenging enough and back then the rules didn't allow both Legion ball and Babe Ruth. They have since changed the rules. My son actually played both his 14 and 15 year old year in Babe Rith and Legion He actually played in the state tourney in La Grande when he was 15 for Babe Ruth and they finished 3rd and then came back home only to start the Legion state tournament in Hillsboro which they finished 3rd as well, lol.

 

[hoopsjock]

ok, but not sure what that has to do with me or the response you made to MY post. If you want to male a blanket statement then just post it on its own as your response had nothing to do with what I posted.

Huh? You quoted me first. My responses were to let you know what I was referring to you in my discussion with another person. You tried to speak up for someone else that didn't need you to speak up for them because I'm pretty sure they understood what I meant by what I said and now you are telling me not to quote you? Try not interjecting yourself into the conversation if you don't want to be involved.

 

[CupWizier]

Huh? You quoted me first. My responses were to let you know what I was referring to you in my discussion with another person. You tried to speak up for someone else that didn't need you to speak up for them because I'm pretty sure they understood what I meant by what I said and now you are telling me not to quote you? Try not interjecting yourself into the conversation if you don't want to be involved.

I know I quoted you first. I didn't really need to know and it had no relevancy to me or what I posted. It would have more meaning if it was just posted on its own. I wasn't speaking for anyone else as I was merely agreeing with what someone said. Apparently anything I post now is taken out of context by you. This has been typical for awhile.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I know I quoted you first. I didn't really need to know and it had no relevancy to me or what I posted. It would have more meaning if it was just posted on its own. I wasn't speaking for anyone else as I was merely agreeing with what someone said. Apparently anything I post now is taken out of context by you. This has been typical for awhile.

Trying to be 100% impartial here, I have been told time and time again in life that if the recipient isn't understanding you or taking things out of context, then it is up to you to explain in more clear terms to avoid such confusion and misdirection of context.

This, "taken out of context" thing is not always or even mostly the fault of the recipient.

Not that there is really a fault, other than most people when taken out of context or misunderstood, will usually try to explain more clearly what it is they are trying to say.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Huh? You quoted me first. My responses were to let you know what I was referring to you in my discussion with another person. You tried to speak up for someone else that didn't need you to speak up for them because I'm pretty sure they understood what I meant by what I said and now you are telling me not to quote you? Try not interjecting yourself into the conversation if you don't want to be involved.

I'M going to interject myself into this critically important conversation, with some important advice.

DON'T LISTEN TO HOOPSJOCK! He doesn't know ANYTHING....

except about, you know, basketball, and life and stuff. But other than that, he knows nothing!

 

[CupWizier]

Trying to be 100% impartial here, I have been told time and time again in life that if the recipient isn't understanding you or taking things out of context, then it is up to you to explain in more clear terms to avoid such confusion and misdirection of context.

This, "taken out of context" thing is not always or even mostly the fault of the recipient.

Not that there is really a fault, other than most people when taken out of context or misunderstood, will usually try to explain more clearly what it is they are trying to say.

If I needed further clarification I would have asked. I didn't need it though. I simply made a statement agreeing I had seen what blue9 had observed. Nobody said or implied that there were many CJ detractors so no reason to bring that in to my response. Go back and read it again and you should see what I am saying.

 

[hoopsjock]

I'M going to interject myself into this critically important conversation, with some important advice.

DON'T LISTEN TO HOOPSJOCK! He doesn't know ANYTHING....

except about, you know, basketball, and life and stuff. But other than that, he knows nothing!

Love you too.

 

[tlongII]

CJ is an elite scorer in this league. You need those guys in the playoffs.

 

[beast blazer]

He's redeemed himself for a pretty paltry regular season

 

[KingSpeed]

yep...as a past CJ detractor I think those views are spot-on

CJ had weak game 1 in this series but he's been great in the last 3 games. He's been the sidekick that Dame needs. I think every Blazer fan dreads the top of the 2nd and 4th quarters when Dame gets his rests. Far too often the offense has stalled in those periods and given momentum to the opponent. But last night in the 4th quarter, CJ was primary in Portland maintaining the lead they had built.

and a big positive factor is for the most part, he's avoided his black-hole tendencies, He had some 1-on-5-dribble-heavy action in the first half last night that was frustrating but he didn't do that in the 2nd half

also, he's averaging 4.5 assists in this series compared to 3.0 in the regular season. That's a big improvement

Weak? CJ shot badly overall but he was a big reason we won Game 1. He was on fire (16 first half points) and a big reason we built a big lead early. Yes, we gave a lot of it back but we threw the first punch of the series and that was mostly because of CJ.

 

[handiman]

Yeah, to say CJ had a weak game 1 is to purposefully ignore he just came back from injury layoff and was still chipping away rust at the end of the regular season. He missed a lot of shots short in the second half. Game shape, anyone?

wizenheimer can't make it through a post without saying something negative about CJ. Even praise has to be framed around it being an improvement on something CJ is normally bad at.

 

[wizenheimer]

Yeah, to say CJ had a weak game 1 is to purposefully ignore he just came back from injury layoff and was still chipping away rust at the end of the regular season. He missed a lot of shots short in the second half. Game shape, anyone?

wizenheimer can't make it through a post without saying something negative about CJ. Even praise has to be framed around it being an improvement on something CJ is normally bad at.

so let's review: I say he had a weak game 1 because he missed a lot of shots. You say he had a weak game 1 because he missed a lot of shots. But you add an excuse for it and attack me because I didn't include the excuse...

by the way, here's what I said:

"CJ had weak game 1 in this series but he's been great in the last 3 games. He's been the sidekick that Dame needs. I think every Blazer fan dreads the top of the 2nd and 4th quarters when Dame gets his rests. Far too often the offense has stalled in those periods and given momentum to the opponent. But last night in the 4th quarter CJ was primary in Portland maintaining the lead they had built."

sure trashed him a bunch didn't I?

 

[handiman]

so let's review: I say he had a weak game 1 because he missed a lot of shots. You say he had a weak game 1 because he missed a lot of shots. But you add an excuse for it and attack me because I didn't include the excuse...

You distort the picture by focusing on the shots he missed when fatigue presumably set in. He got off to a good start. A bit more game conditioning and he's back to maintaining that level of play.

 

[wizenheimer]

You distort the picture by focusing on the shots he missed when fatigue presumably set in.

I didn't distort anything, that's you reading between lines that weren't there. I simply labeled his game 1 as weak. Any time a primary option has as many FGA's as points I consider that a weak performance unless the player does a lot of other things well. In other words, scoring 1 point/shot or less is weak, especially in this case where he had as many turnovers as assists