On a recent episode of “Talkin Blazers with Channing Frye,” Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum discussed what was next in the evolution of his game, and what he planned to improve in 2021.
With each added season, Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum has been a model of consistency. Since becoming a staple in Portland’s rotation in 2015-16, McCollum has averaged no fewer than 20.8 points, and no higher than 23.0, producing roughly the same numbers year-after-year.
To the naked eye, it would seem that McCollum has peaked, statistically at least, and that had become a talking point among those who believed the McCollum-Lillard tandem had reached the proverbial glass ceiling, too.
But, the star guard elaborated on the evolution of his game, and what he expects to add next, during his appearance on NBC Northwest’s Talkin Blazers with Channing Frye and Dan Sheldon.
"“For one I can shoot better from the free throw line. I shot about 76 percent this last season. But outside of that, I think there’s a lot of ways I can improve. I think from a leadership standpoint, continuing to evolve, continuing to empower players, and have more command, offensively and defensively. Understanding teams’ plays, understanding teams’ sets a little bit better.Having been in the league, you know, seven years now, you kind of know personnel, you know sets, you know scheduling. You know how to get yourself ready. Now, it’s about helping other people, and kind of speed up that learning curve.”"
McCollum mentioned some of the Portland Trail Blazers players he would focus on helping improve, in Gary Trent Jr., Mario Hezonja, and Anfernee Simons.
A bit later, he also acknowledged that his defense left a bit to be desired. He brought up the willingness to get more engaged in pick-and-roll situations, and chasing players better on off-ball screens.
Opposing teams seemed to understand that this was an area CJ McCollum could improve, Per NBA.com and Synergy, players averaged about 4.6 points per game, purely out of attacking him off of screens, which tied for the 14th highest rate in the NBA. To McCollum’s credit, some of the NBA’s more venerated defenders — think Jrue Holiday, Luguentz Dort, and Ben Simmons — ranked higher, on similar scoring frequencies.
Even so, credit to McCollum for recognizing that part of his game in need of improvements. Personally, as someone who has played the game of basketball in real life, and thus has an understanding of how tough defensive intensity can be when you carry such a lofty offensive load, some of the defensive shortcomings are justifiable.
And, speaking of “shortcomings,” height does play a factor in that, too. He isn’t a bad defender to the point where it’s glaringly noticeable. It can be forgivable on a random night in November, if he’s locked in on defense in the postseason.
And historically, players’ percentages aren’t as gaudy when attacking him in pick-and-roll in the postseason, where matchup-hunting is at a premium. NBA.com has opponents at 29.4 and 32.0 percent in the first two years of tracking, and just 41.7 percent shooting during the Blazers’ deep 2018-19 postseason venture.
In the meantime, it just provides one more thing to look forward to. Portland Trail Blazers fans may not get another growth spurt out of McCollum, but they can get his word on a goal to attack some of the weaker parts of his game.
The rest of the podcast is linked above, and it’s worth a listen. Along with the aforementioned topic, McCollum discusses what went into the Blazers’ Game 1 win, what they could’ve done differently the rest of the way, his new show, ReMaking America, and his wine business, among much more.