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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 (not so) bold season predictions

By Ryan Gaskin

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 16: The Portland Trail Blazers hugddle up during a pre-season game against the Utah Jazz on October 16, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 16: The Portland Trail Blazers hugddle up during a pre-season game against the Utah Jazz on October 16, 2019 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. CJ McCollum will be finally be an All-Star

If you need any proof as to why CJ McCollum should have already been named an All-Star, simply log on to YouTube, type out ‘Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets Game 7’, and enjoy. I’ll tell you right now, there aren’t many players in the league who could have put in the sort of performance that CJ did that night.

Damian Lillard stole the headlines in the first round, and rightly so, but Portland wouldn’t have made it past Denver without CJ McCollum. For most of that series, Dame shot the ball poorly, and boy did McCollum step up. 30 points in Game 6, followed by 37 and the dagger in Game 7 — CJ had it going all series long. The Nuggets had no answer for him, and it was down to him that the Blazers managed to rally from 3-2 down.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1127702258798317569

But it’s time for CJ to finally get the recognition he deserves. McCollum’s situation is the perfect reason why the All-Star selections shouldn’t be limited to each conference, it simply doesn’t make sense. Had McCollum been playing in the East since being drafted, he’d have 2 or 3 All-Star selections by now. The West is stacked, especially in the guard positions.

But, despite the loaded guard lineup in the Western Conference, I believe CJ will break through this year. Steph Curry, James Harden, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook are effectively locks, but after these guys? For me, Kyrie Irving isn’t a a guaranteed selection ahead of CJ. Then we have (from last year) Bradley Beal, Ben Simmons, Kyle Lowry, Kemba Walker and D’Angelo Russell. Add in Klay Thompson‘s and Victor Oladipo‘s injuries, and there becomes a real pathway for CJ. I think Simmons makes a leap this year and becomes a lock, but outside of that? CJ can definitely find a way in, and deservedly so.

As long as Portland plays at a similar level as last year, and McCollum adds another couple of numbers to his stats (which I think he will), then I see no reason for CJ not to be an All-Star.

His quick handle, his outside shot and his deadly mid-range have helped him become one of the best offensive weapons in the NBA. It’s time the former Lehigh guard is recognized by the league, and finally be given the All-Star nod he deserves.