C.J. McCollum: “I definitely can have an impact”
By David MacKay
Portland Trail Blazers guard, C.J. McCollum, took a moment at Tuesday’s practice to talk about the way he plays his game, players that he models it after, and his recent success on the court.
Coach [Stotts] has been putting you in a lot more, keeping you in a lot more lately and you’ve been really productive for the team. I know the last three games you’ve averaged 11 points on 55 percent shooting. Are you comfortable leading the second unit? How does that feel?
I’m comfortable out there. I think I’m kind of settling into a role and getting used to the NBA game. The coaches are having confidence in me and my teammates are growing confidence in me, and it’s comforting. At the same time, I’ve just got to keep working and keep putting myself in position to have success on the court.
I know a lot of times we think of you as a spot up shooter because you are and you do a fantastic job with it, but we saw in Houston that you can also be the aggressor.
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Yeah, definitely. I’m a guy who can catch and shoot, obviously at a high level. I haven’t proved myself in the NBA by any means yet, but consistently throughout my college career I was a really good shooter, and I think that’s the one thing that translates in the NBA game right away is shooting. In terms of being a scorer and being an aggressor and just making plays, I’m just trying to simplify the game as much as possible and that’s what the staff has worked with me on: Catch and shoot, catch and one-dribble pull up, or get to the hole and finish with a floater or layup.
I read your most recent article for the Player’s Tribune about the rookie survival guide and you said on there that there is no excuse now to not sit down and watch other players and kind of take some of their moves. Who are some players that you’ve emulated in this league?
Feb 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Brooklyn Nets guard Jarrett Jack (0) drives to the basket during the third quarter in a game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Brooklyn Nets won 109-93. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
I watched a lot of Jarrett Jack, you know, being a guy that can play the 1 or the 2, good shooter, has a good floater, gets in the lane, and we have the same agent [Sam Goldfelder] so I’ve watched a lot of him. I watch a lot of Steph Curry and you know I study [Damian Lillard’s] game every day because I get to play against him in practice and play along side of him in games. Just continuing to watch guys who play the 1 and the 2. I watch a lot of Klay Thompson just because he’s so good off the ball getting his shot up right away—catch and shoot. James Harden’s a guy who plays with the ball a little bit and I can play with the ball as well, so I watch him to see how he gets into a lot of his step-backs and, you know, finishing around the basket and drawing fouls.
Yeah, I saw you put a move on Steve [Blake] earlier, just getting to the rim. You’re really fast out there.
Thank you.
I know especially in college you used the hesitation dribble a lot, a little hang dribble, how do you feel your game really breaks down opponents?
I think that I’m good with the ball, so I can break down my man off the dribble or utilize a ball screen and get an advantage. I think that when you’re a good shooter it helps. It makes it easier to get to the basket because guys have to respect your jump shot, so they’re a little off balance or playing you a little bit too close.
And which teammate do you feel you have the most chemistry with in the second unit that helps you accomplish your goals?
I think I’ve got good chemistry with everybody. Obviously, I play a lot alongside Steve who does a great job of penetrating and getting in the lane and finding others, and you know Meyers [Leonard] is a guy who is good in ball screens because he can spread the floor with his jump shot. I mean, I like playing with all those guys, [Chris Kaman] is a banger underneath and he’s going to create a lot of attention so I think we’ve got a pretty solid team.
Yeah, you and Kaman, by the per 36 minute metric, you guys are both top-5 scorers on this team. What does it mean to you to really be able to bolster the second unit? Last year you didn’t play in the playoffs a whole lot, but it’s looking like you guys are going to make it again. Do you think you will have a real impact?
Yeah, I definitely can have an impact. I’ve got to continue to work hard and continue to take care of my body and getting my reps in so that my game continues to translate.
Thanks, C.J.