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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 bold predictions for rest of the offseason

By Austin Carroll

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 16: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers fires up the crowd during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Playoffs Moda Center on April 16, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 114-94. 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. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 16: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers fires up the crowd during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2019 NBA Playoffs Moda Center on April 16, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won 114-94. 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. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
American basketball player Christian James McCollum plays basketball during his China tour on June 14, 2019 (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images) /

1. CJ regrets not playing for Team USA

Truth be told, Team USA is probably having a harder time coping without players like CJ McCollum than the other way around. After the national team barely squeaked out an overtime victory against Turkey (yes, Turkey), things aren’t looking so good in this year’s FIBA World Cup. The chance the Americans are upset by another competent team like Serbia is looking more and more likely by the day.

But as enjoyable as having the summer off to pursue his own activities has been, McCollum should probably be kicking himself for not taking the chance to participate with the national team over in China. Working under living legend Gregg Popovich and competing against some of the NBA’s best guards like Kemba Walker and Donovan Mitchell would have certainly impacted his game in a positive way.

As good as the Portland Trail Blazers are, McCollum simply couldn’t receive that level of competition back home. With Popovich nearing retirement, this had the makings of a once in a lifetime opportunity for CJ. Considering we aren’t likely to see the same level of NBA stars withdrawing from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, there may never be another chance for CJ to take a spot on the national roster again.

Regardless if Team USA wins it all this year, McCollum is losing out. If the team loses, CJ is one of many responsible for letting the country down. If they win, CJ loses out on an amazing opportunity and a national team gold medal in the World Cup to add to his legacy. Avoiding risk of injury is understandable, but the physicality in international ball is considerably toned down and emphasizes moving the ball instead of iso possessions. This was a low-risk, high-reward opportunity that CJ may come to regret missing out on one day, and rightfully so.