The Official CJ McCollum Thread

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Jade Falcon, Oct 26, 2018.

  1. Jade Falcon

    Jade Falcon Just to piss you off.

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    Let's start an official thread here, where we can talk about CJ without clogging up the other threads.

    What do you guys think of CJ right now? I love @BonesJones, but he seems to want to defend CJ at every turn. Whereas going on year 5 of CJ's tenure here, I'm a little less patient with him by this point.

    Personally speaking, I'm less than thrilled with him. I think we should trade him and get someone who better fits this team. Preferably, someone who plays good Defense.

    But who would that person be? And would they agree to stay here?

    This isn't necessarily a trade thread, just a discussion about CJ. He's rather polarizing at the moment.

    Discuss.
     
  2. Fez Hammersticks

    Fez Hammersticks スーパーバッド Zero Cool

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    Philly seems like the most logical choice if we were to deal him.

    Saric + Fultz?

    Swing Fultz to a third team.
     
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  3. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

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    What for?

    I will not pretend that CJ is the greatest player ever (he is not), but he is still a very good player, still before his prime and is clearly very smart - it makes no sense to trade him for the sake of making a trade.
     
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  4. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    You guys are quick as hell to make judgements on these guys good or bad. My man might just win us this game tomorrow night, then what?
     
  5. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

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    I think it's easy to hate on C.J., partly due to group thinking. He struggles at times with isolation but he's improved that this year, where he'll make a quick decision to drive or pass and won't continuously point the ball. He does miss open passes on some drives and that's a work in progress, but I find people searching for things to hate on him about ("He has 3 fouls at halftime" and " Game starts soon, can't wait ti watch the C.J. ISO show.")

    If he improves that but flashes back to his old ways once out of every 10 games, people will use that one game as an excuse to constantly complain about him even through his improvements in play. He's become underappreciated.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  6. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

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    Exactly.
     
  7. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

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    Why can't I see CJ pass the ball?
     
  8. Jade Falcon

    Jade Falcon Just to piss you off.

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    It's year 5, or close to it. How much longer are we going to make excuses for him?

    We long ago stopped making excuses for Meyers. Why does CJ get a pass?

    You really expect me to believe that he's suddenly going to turn into a passing SG this season who is reliable and can carry the team when necessary?

    I agree with what everyone in the media has said: it's time to break up Dame/CJ.

    I will say this though: only trade CJ if we can get a defensive-minded SG with a reliable 3 shot in return. Butler, for instance.

    Otherwise, it's pointless for a one-year rental. Mind you, Butler would likely be a one year rental.
     
  9. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

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    How is admitting what he does wrong an excuse?

    You agree with the national media that also thinks that the Blazers should trade Dame for Lonzo and Kuzma? Okay.
     
  10. H.C.

    H.C. Well-Known Member

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    CJ is underappreciated.
    CJ is too often compared to Lillard when their games are very, very different.
    CJ had an amazing year a couple years ago, most posters are now disappointed in his game because most posters believed back then he was better than Lillard.

    Only a few posters like @BonesJones a few others and myself were willing to see the differences in their games.
    It's now clearly obvious who is the better player and people are disappointed that Portland doesn't have two 1st team all nba guards.

    CJ isn't untouchable, but it would take an amazing offer to get him off the Blazers.
    As it should.
    I would never trade CJ + 1st rounder for Jimmy Butler without a signed contract in place.
    With the organization wanting to give minutes to zach, I'm not trading CJ for a player who would take minutes away from him either.
     
  11. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    QUALITY post!
     
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  12. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    I’m starting to settle in on him being who he is. It’s disappointing because he could be better, I mean he’s smart enough. I just haven’t seen much development since last season. Hes plateaued. He’s not a natural playmaker for others, and maybe tunnel vision just isn’t a thing that can be fixed.

    The problem with trading him is his contract. He’s not worth the money he’s making. He’s paid like a superstar and isn’t even all star caliber. The only way we’d get anything of value in return is for a guy like Jimmy Butler, someone who isn’t locked up long term that a team is motivated to move.

    But as long as Olshey keeps grouping him in the same sentence as Lillard, it’s all moot anyway. He’s going down with that ship. We’re just along for the ride.
     
  13. TorturedBlazerFan

    TorturedBlazerFan Well-Known Member

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    CJ and Dames height is really the problem, the last time two starting guards of that height won a championship was when the Pistons won with Isaiah Thomas and Joe Dumars.

    Im not going to say its impossible to win with them, but I think the lack of height and more importantly Length, creates challenges for them that other good teams dont have. This is highlighted even more by the fact neither are naturally great defenders anyways.

    Almost all the contenders have a PG about dames height or in that ‘range’ and then 2-4 are all taller longer players. I wouldnt mind trading CJ for the right package especially if it means they’re playing a taller player at SG, but CJ is gifted enough that it does have to be the ‘right deal’, you dont trade him just to trade him, he’s too good for that.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
  14. Shaboid

    Shaboid Well-Known Member

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    I will take @riverman quarter by quarter philosophy and push it to a play by play philosophy.

    If CJ gets into the lane while working in the offense then yes, shoot it.
    If CJ gets a wide open jumper from 3 and in then yes, shoot it.
    If CJ breaks 'em down completely because he has handles like few in the league and takes em to the rack, YES, CJ! SHOOT IT!

    If not, pass the ball. That's a fan perspective, I'm no coach.

    He's a shooting guard. That is his job. Do I wish he was a better defender and had more height, sure. But I wouldn't trade him for much less than him and a couple of our picks for Butler.
     
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  15. Jade Falcon

    Jade Falcon Just to piss you off.

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    Whoa there. Firstly, I didn't say I agree with EVERYTHING they said. Secondly, I've not heard one media talking head say that Portland should trade Dame for Lonzo. Even TNT isn't that bad.

    I HAVE heard trolls in comment sections say that Lonzo is going to be traded for Dame. But that is lunacy from trolls in comment sections, not the national media.

    Who knows....maybe I missed Shaq say it or something....

    I've never once thought that they were the same player. And in fact I've said numerous times that Dame is on a whole other level of skill compared to CJ. I don't think there's anyone on this forum who reasonably thinks they are the same player. But @TorturedBlazerFan made a good point about height, and we don't have length at the PG/SG position.
     
  16. Titan

    Titan Well-Known Member

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    @Jade Falcon
    This is from Zach Lowe, crazy NBA predictions.

    The most enticing mega-trade on the board not involving Anthony Davis: Lillard to the Lakers for a package centered around Lonzo Ball. Lillard is a perfect fit next to LeBron, and LeBron respects Lillard's game, per sources familiar with the matter. The Lakers could absorb Lillard into cap space this summer without sending out giant matching salaries -- salaries they don't have on the books.

    That is what others in the forum are probably referencing.
     
  17. hoopsjock

    hoopsjock Well-Known Member

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    Do you think CJ is a good shooter?

    I was curious about Klay Thompson's numbers (mainly passing) and was surprised to see CJ has a much higher assist % (17 to 11) while basically committing the same amount of turnovers. Shooting numbers and almost all other stats are relatively close too. Defensive Box Plus/Minus is even as well. Win shares are in Klay's favor but he's played on much better teams and has 2 extra years. Check out the Per 36 numbers, I'd have a hard time finding a closer comparison as they are almost identical.
    https://www.basketball-reference.co...=CJ McCollum&player_id2=mccolcj01&idx=players

    I think without looking at these numbers most people would say that Klay is a far superior player than CJ, but the numbers tell a different story that they are almost the same. I'm not saying I'd rather have CJ than Klay but I think this shows that CJ is better than some are giving him credit for. GS is an exceptional passing team but has an even bigger ball stopper in Klay. Shooters shoot the ball.
     
  18. Jade Falcon

    Jade Falcon Just to piss you off.

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    So in other words, a nobody whom I've only heard of in passing. A Google search of his name comes up with....no joke....a drawn picture of him.

    Get back to me when it's more than him and some troll on Reddit. Nobody in this country with half a brain seriously considers such a stupid trade.
     
  19. oldmangrouch

    oldmangrouch persona non grata

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    CJ is a good player, but it seemed pretty clear that he regressed last season instead of continuing to develop. There were times it seemed like he was trying too hard to get his, instead of thinking like part of a team.

    I don't expect him to be Dame - but it would be nice if he would be the best player he can be.
     
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  20. Jade Falcon

    Jade Falcon Just to piss you off.

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    If he's a good shooter, then he sure isn't consistent. Klay has that in spades; he's smart enough, with better vision, to know when his shots aren't falling to try another tactic.

    I will say CJ is a good mid-range elbow shooter. But he needs to be far more than that.

    Well said, thank you.
     
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