Rip City Project
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Trail Blazers: Olshey’s Best Draft Picks

By Steven Dewald

Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) walk up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) walk up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trail Blazers draft McCollum
Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

C.J. McCollum

Pick #10 – 2013 NBA Draft

Career Stats – 12.7 PPG / 2.4 APG / 2.2 RPG / .443 FG% / .408 3P%

C.J. McCollum‘s career started off rocky. McCollum was an injury risk heading into the 2013 draft after his collegiate  career ended prematurely with a broken foot. Before the former Lehigh Mountain Hawk had a chance to suit up for Rip City, he injured his foot again. Not unlike Barton, McCollum had a difficult time earning consistent minutes in Terry Stotts’ rotation his first two years. 

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Then, the Memphis Grizzlies players series happened. Most NBA fans will remember that series for the absent look on LaMarcus Aldridge‘s face as the Blazers were beat down. (And his personal flight back to Portland) Just as the final buzzer sounded on Aldridge’s career in Portland, Blazers fans were filled with hope from McCollum. His dynamic 33 point game in the elimination game softened the blow on a depressing season. Even with his breakout game against the Grizzlies, the most optimistic fan might not have predicted McCollum would do so well this season.

The Most Improved Player of the 2015-2016 season gives the Blazers the most dangerous back court in the NBA outside of Bay area. McCollum can score in so many ways, he is almost impossible to shut down consistently. It is pretty impressive Olshey took a chance on an injured four-year guard from the Patriot League with the #10 pick of the 2013 draft. Looking back on the other guards drafted right around McCollum, Blazers fans should be very thankful. Ben McLemore and Trey Burke were drafted right before McCollum while Michael Carter-Williams and Shabazz Muhammad. was drafted immediately after. In Olshey, we trust.

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