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CJ McCollum answers tough questions on ESPN’s First Take

By Nate Mann

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 15: CJ McCollum #3 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 15, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 15: CJ McCollum #3 and Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 15, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CJ McCollum continued his spree of appearances on sports broadcasts, this time to answer questions from Stephen A. Smith on “First Take.”

Stephen A. Smith has remained quiet in terms of Blazers coverage ever since telling Damian Lillard to request a trade. Like most casual NBA fans, he doubted Lillard’s loyalty despite the point guard confirming it time and time again.

Related Story: Stephen A. Smith says Lillard needs to request a trade

Smith is back on the radar, hosting CJ McCollum on ESPN’s “First Take.”

McCollum has been on several broadcasts recently. He featured on “SportsCenter” to break down footage with Jalen Rose and “First Things First” to discuss LeBron James‘ playoff heroics. CJ also spoke on Bomani Jones’ “The Right Time” podcast as well as started his own podcast called “Pull Up with CJ McCollum.”

“First Take”

Stephen A. Smith began by asking if CJ McCollum believes the team needs personnel changes ahead of next season. McCollum reiterated what he said in his exit interview: the roster is in the hands of Portland’s front office.

He also added that their regular season performance doesn’t warrant any changes. Having home court and not taking advantage of it comes down to how the players played, not how the roster was constructed.

Max Kellerman then joined in remotely to ask CJ what he must work on to help the team improve most.

In line with fans’ primary criticism, McCollum responded with his playmaking. He often plays isolation basketball and only looks to score. Improving playmaking abilities can allow Damian Lillard to play off the ball as well as encourage more ball movement by the bench unit.

CJ cited the Houston Rockets as a team fielding two elite playmakers and having a lot of success.

In his eyes, becoming a combo guard in addition to improving defensively can benefit Portland the most.

Splitting up Lillard and McCollum

Stephen A. Smith’s argument

Stephen A. Smith returned to the broadcast and asked if standing pat will do the Blazers any good in an improving Western Conference. McCollum turned the tables on Smith, instead questioning him on what moves the team should make.

Smith believes either Dame or CJ needs to be traded. He said, “Nobody else around you has enough value to get you the pieces that you need to get over the competition that you’re going to go against.”

As painful as this is to say, he makes a fair point. Only trades involving either guard can return enough value to potentially improve the current Blazers team. Team-leading talent is therefore spread across positions, not in the backcourt alone.

Smith has no preference between Lillard or McCollum in terms of trades. Whoever can return the most value is gone, and whoever stays picks up slack at the point guard position.

CJ McCollum’s argument

CJ handles himself professionally after hearing Stephen A. Smith talk poorly about the Blazers. He explains how 2017-2018 was only his third season as a starter and third alongside Dame leading the backcourt.

In each of those three seasons, Portland has continuously progressed. Home court advantage was a major step forward, but getting swept in the playoffs shows how much more work this team has to do.

CJ McCollum ends his appearance on “First Take” by saying, “We have to improve, we realize that…There’s no making excuses…Now we gotta get better for next year and figure out ways to improve.”

Next: Best of Blazers: Zach Collins gets 1st career start

Despite spending nearly five minutes discussing how Portland should change this summer, Stephen A. Smith subtly gave the team a strong compliment. He interrupted McCollum and said, “If you were in the East, you’d probably be in the Conference Finals.”