After his debut in summer league, CJ ranks third on nba-dot-com's rookie ladder, behind Kelly Olynyk and Victor Oladipo, whose teams started playing six days ago in the Orlando summer league. the site's summary: "McCollum breaks into the Top 10 with his fantastic debut on Saturday. With 15 of his 22 points coming in the first half, the No. 10 overall pick looks like a keeper for the Blazers. Like Damian Lillard did last year, McCollum drew oohs and ahh with several moves, including one particular step-back 3 after crossing up his defender. Will be interesting to see if the Blazers PG can continue his run and make a push for the top rung." here's the page: http://www.nba.com/rookie-ladder/?ls=iref:nbahpt6e
I don't think he's really a contender for ROY unless he ends up in the starting lineup, and even then he won't put up the kind of numbers required for the award. I just don't see the points available with Lillard and Aldridge... but who knows.
i don't think he'll win rookie of the year. it'll go to someone who has the opportunity start and play significant minutes. nice to see him on the list though.
It's way too early. Assuming everyone's healthy, it'll be all about the 3-guard rotation. If we use a 3-guard rotation (DL 36 mpg, Matthews 30 mpg, CJ 30 mpg) that should be enough court time to be in the conversation.
You are forgetting Watson. He will get at least 12 minutes a game. I see CJ getting no more than 24mpg.
I am not forgetting Watson or anyone else. I tried to say that IF we go to a 3-guard lineup (i.e. if CJ "beats out" Watson et. al.) then he'll get enough mpg for a shot at ROY. btw, I have heard to zero quotes to suggest Watson will get any mpg at all. His primary job is mentoring.
Why does there have to be a quote for you to think he won't play? It has been one summer league game, but right now CJ is just not as good of a PG as Watson. Until he is then the Blazers would be stupid to play him there. A Wes /CJ back court will not be effective for the 12 minutes Lillard is on the bench. Watson will play if healthy. Regardless there will not be a 3 guard rotation next year IMO
i think Watson will be in the rotation early in the season. it'll be a matter of CJ earning his minutes in the opportunities on the court. i see CJ getting about five minutes in either the first half of games or the second half and Earl coming in during both halves for about five minutes apiece. since some of CJ's minutes will be at sg, it's likely Damian will still play 36-38 minutes a game -- at least at the start of the season. depending on how the rotation works out, all that could change later on.
Ben Gordon got 6MOTY as a rookie off the bench. CJ definitely has that potential. I wouldn't be surprised if he was ROTY since the rookie class this year looks kind of lackluster.
Does the NBA still do the Rookie Vs Sophomore game or did they change that up last year? It would be funny to see Lillard and CJ square off against each other.
it's a draft between Shaq and the idiot (Barkley). it's one more of tnt's attempts to highlight their staff rather than the players.
Didn't Shaq take the PGs last year in Lillard (#1 overall) and Irving, only to be killed by Team Barkley in the actual game? I thought Shaq's roster would be the winner, but Barkley as GM won the game handily.