Portland Trail Blazers: The greatest Opening Day games in franchise history (Pt. 1)

No. 5: CJ McCollum

Date: October 28th, 2015
Statistics: 37 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assists, 14-of-22 from the field, 6-of-9 from 3-point range

For hardcore Trail Blazers observers, CJ McCollum effectively introduced himself in the season prior, when he averaged 25.7 points per game off the bench in the last three games of the Blazers-Grizzlies postseason series.

If that was the moment McCollum knocked on the door of his potential, he soon kicked the door down for good on Opening Day in 2015-16. He exploded for a 37-point offensive showcase, a game that put him on the public radar.

That awareness, combined with his consistency and the Blazers’ unexpected Playoff push led to a Most Improved Player of the Year award by season’s end.

On film, you can tell just how differently circumstances were. By this point, it’s unlikely that the silky-smooth two-guard was top-fold on the opposition’s scouting report.

He was able to find seams in New Orleans’ defense for easier looks than he would probably get today.

Even so, McCollum was aggressive in forcing his action, even attacking the likes of Anthony Davis at the rim with creative finishes.

His release and jump is noticeably higher, and he certainly gives off the vibe of a player anxious to prove himself.

That adds to the allure of a great Opening Day game too. McCollum wasted zero time putting himself on the map, outscoring the Pelicans’ team in the first quarter by himself, 22 to 18.

He did so on 7-of-8 shooting, and 5-of-5 from deep. You can teach a lot of things. Teaching someone to be built and prepared for the moment simply isn’t one of them.