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Trail Blazers Player Power Rankings: Playoffs Edition

By Perry Waggoner

Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2. C.J. McCollum

Playoff Stats: 20.5 PPG / 3.3 APG / 3.6 RPG

I was tempted to put McCollum in the #1 slot, but he’ll have to settle for second fiddle yet again. He started off the playoffs with two horrific games, averaging 12.5 PPG on 31% shooting. No one pushed the panic button, but it raised questions in my head about McCollum’s ability to perform in his first big time basketball competition on a national level (he was playing with house money against Memphis last year). Luckily, he put my worries to bed from then on. He put on an absolute show for the rest of the playoffs.

While Lillard had the ability to take over the game at certain moments, McCollum rarely (if ever) disappeared on the court. His elite mid-range game almost always guaranteed the chance at getting a good look no matter how tough the defense was. If the NBA world wasn’t aware of what McCollum can do with a basketball in hands, this postseason surely showed them what they’ve been missing.

Next: Number Three: Hail to the Chief