One game each Portland Trail Blazers starter should circle on the calendar
By Andy Quach
1. Damian Lillard – @ Golden State Warriors, Friday, November 26th, 2021
The comparisons between Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry are a tired narrative that everyone should be fed up with. The point is moot. Yes, both players are scoring point guards who do some of their best work from way beyond the arc. Aside from their relative size, position, and their abilities to launch outrageously deep 3-pointers, the similarities end.
Lillard has always been the more physically opposing player, capable of driving into traffic and either finishing over or through defenders. Curry plays with more finesse than Dame, using a variety of crafty handles and finishing angles to score inside while avoiding contact.
Nevertheless, no matter how old the comparisons get, they’ll continue to come. Curry showed a little mortality last season, despite putting together an MVP-level performance through the year. He failed to lead his team into the playoffs sans Klay Thompson. This first matchup between the superstars is a perfect opportunity for Dame to establish himself as the best point guard in the league—in the Chase Center nonetheless.
2. CJ McCollum – @ Philadelphia 76ers, Monday, November 1st, 2021
CJ McCollum has been subject to plenty of trade scenarios, a good amount of them coming from our own site. One of the most popular suggestions was a swap for Ben Simmons, as the Australian point guard has similarly fallen out of favor with his own team in Philadelphia.
General Manager Neil Olshey has avoided major trades this offseason, opting instead to see how this current core can perform with a full season together. That doesn’t mean that CJ won’t be traded before the deadline, though.
McCollum’s future in Rip City seems secure for the time being, but it’s never a bad idea to outplay your potential trade partner just in case. If CJ can go off against the Sixers in Philly, it’ll go a long way in quelling some of these trade rumors and propositions.