Northwest Division: Ranking the Top Five Players

Northwest Division: Top Five Players

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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Dec 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dribbles the ball in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Trail Blazers won 106-96. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

#5: C.J. McCollum (Trail Blazers)

Career Stats: 12.7 PPG / 2.4 APG / 2.2 RPG

You know him, you love him, he’s C.J. McCollum. It took a while for the Lehigh product to get his game off of the ground, but now he is soaring higher than anyone could’ve imagined. We saw flashes of what McCollum was capable of doing against Memphis in the 2015 playoffs – when he averaged 25.6 PPG in the last three games of the series. Fast forward another season, and McCollum is not only the NBA’s Most Improved Player, but one of its best pure scorers. He finished ninth in three pointers made (197), and only 13 players scored more total points than the he did.

While the Blazers backcourt isn’t known for their defense, McCollum has immense potential to become a very solid defender due to his active approach and communication. He is the only shooting guard to crack the top five, making McCollum the best player at his position in the Northwest Division.

Next: Number Four: Gordon Hayward