National Basketball Association

Trail Blazers Review: C.J. McCollum's Top Performances

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Trail Blazers Review: RCP takes a quick look at some of C.J. McCollum’s best games from the 2015-2016 season

2015-16 Stats: 20.8 PPG / 3.2 RPG / 4.3 APG / .417 3P%

C.J. McCollum went from a lightly used backup to a star last season. He was a former lottery selection that battled injuries through two seasons, but showed promise. When the Trail Blazers made their exit from the 2014-2015 playoffs, McCollum got a chance to shine. Not many outside of Portland noticed, but it set the stage for a breakout season in 2015-2016.

McCollum’s 2015-2016 season was capped off by a Most Improved Player award. He ran away with the award making one of the largest leaps in points per game year-over-year in NBA history. However, his game is not just about scoring. Let’s take a look at a couple of the best games from McCollum last season:

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10/28/16 – Pelicans at Trail Blazers

McCollum – 37 PTS / 6 REB / 6-9 3PFG

From the opening tip-off against the New Orleans Pelicans, McCollum made sure the Trail Blazers understood he was ready for an increased workload. He set a new career high in points and dazzled the home crowd with a variety of moves. One game into the season, it was pretty clear that his hesitation dribbles and mid-range jumpers were here to stay.

12/27/16 – Trail Blazers at Kings

McCollum – 35 PTS / 11 REB / 9 AST / 4 STL

Portland sat comfortably below .500 in December of 2015. Damian Lillard was battling an injury that would keep him out for a couple weeks and the Trail Blazers were in danger of slipping out of the playoffs race. This was an incredibly important time for McCollum’s development. The young Trail Blazers’ roster looked to CJ to provide scoring and distribution.

McCollum not only starred in this game, but every game Lillard was out. The whole team grew without Lillard in the lineup and developed into a robust playoff team by the time Lillard’s good health returned.

Oct 10, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Seth Curry (30) fouls Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) with Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein (00) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It’s now a one-two punch with the Trail Blazers backcourt. Pick your poison. Teams will not be taken by surprise with McCollum this season. Opposing teams game plans are going to be structured around stopping both him and Lillard. Portland is at their best when McCollum not only provides scoring, but distributes as well – especially when CJ plays without Lillard on the court.

The star backcourt duo’s chemistry is undeniable, but it’s important that they play well without each other on the floor. Both players need their rest and the Trail Blazers cannot afford to play many minutes without McCollum or Lillard on the floor.

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