Jake Fischer Interviews CJ McCollum

[B-Roy]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-blazers-chances-nba-free-agency-balance-more

Sitting at his locker in the Portland Trail Blazers' practice facility 30 minutes before a weightlifting session, CJ McCollum dialed into a call with Bleacher Report on Wednesday afternoon.

He's occupied that chair for eight seasons, often daydreaming alongside his All-Star backcourt mate Damian Lillard, envisioning one day winning a championship for the entire state of Oregon and the subsequent parade that would follow. Would they stand on the same float? Would McCollum be able to bring his dog aboard?

"We have discussed it in detail, on multiple occasions," McCollum said. "What it would feel like, what it would look like, from down to what car would you take? Are you driving the drop top? Is it a pick-up [truck]? It's something we think about, something I think about often, whenever I take the drive to the arena, how nice it would be to have that parade."

Do you guys think you have the talent to truly compete for a championship?

I think whenever we step on the court, we have a chance to win a championship. If you don't have that mindset and that mentality, then you shouldn't play. That's my mindset and mentality every year—to compete at the highest level, to really focus on being the best version of myself as a player to help us win. That being said, I feel like every year we have a chance to win a championship. But in the NBA, there's so many things that go into that. You need a little bit of luck.

 

[tykendo]

Man! I ain't gonna lie. I wish we could win it all With CJ & Dame together. Because they are total Class. And so likable. And Got Oregon inside. It's like you have a girl friend who's pretty, funny, and totally into you, but you keep looking for something else, even though everything you want or need is right in front of you.

 

[tykendo]

I had that girl, and totally blew it. Don't ,EVER, want to make that mistake again if i get that opportunity.

 

[tykendo]

Problem is the "IF". Not counting on it.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Waiting for someone to spin this article to mean CJ is demanding a trade in 4, 3, 2... -- then have 93 pages that echo the false narrative with useless Twitter accounts reaffirming said narrative sprinkled throughout.

 

[tykendo]

Waiting for someone to spin this article to mean CJ is demanding a trade in 4, 3, 2... -- then have 93 pages that echo the false narrative with useless Twitter accounts reaffirming said narrative sprinkled throughout.

Are you say you have sources...

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

As for "needing a little bit of luck"; Blazers had that last year. First round opponent did not have their second best player and a couple other rotation players available. Many top teams had serious injury problems. Sorry, CJ, but when you get some lucky breaks, you gotta take advantage...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Waiting for someone to spin this article to mean CJ is demanding a trade in 4, 3, 2... -- then have 93 pages that echo the false narrative with useless Twitter accounts reaffirming said narrative sprinkled throughout.

We can't be that lucky.

 

[Natebishop3]

We're never trading CJ. It's just not happening.

 

[Scalma]

When did CJ get so massive

 

[Labinot41]

playing defense and Team Basketball would be a solid start

 

[illmatic99]

Jake confirmed again on his Halftime thing that everyone is just looking forward to the season with optimism and that the situation with Dame is status quo: no trade request coming.

 

[Cugel]

He's a world class athlete. Most are in incredible shape, save a unicorn like jokic

 

[julius]

Id rather be watching him working on his defense and his defensive awareness.

 

[tykendo]

Id rather be watching him working on his defense and his defensive awareness.

Cross training works, and he will be. He's said as much.

 

[Labinot41]

CJ still talking about the Playoffs, didn’t hear him saying championship one time smh. Dame deserves better

 

[tykendo]

CJ still talking about the Playoffs, didn’t hear him saying championship one time smh. Dame deserves better

Talk is cheap. Walk the Walk then talk. Go Blazers!