So, remember back in 2008 when we thought Brandon was our key, and maybe if we could pair him with a stud point guard like Chris Paul, we'd be in the promised land? And then we got Dame, and we thought, man if we paired him with a stud SG, we'd be in the promised land? I want to show y'all something. http://bkref.com/tiny/y94kJ This is a four-player comparison: Dame, CJ, Roy, and Paul. CJ and Roy are both at age 24. Dame and Paul are both at Age 25. Take a look at those per 36-minute averages. Look at their PERs and WS/48's... I think we're onto something.
I wish CJ was more explosive or a little bit taller. It's alright though cause he's definitely a baller.
A lot of people worried about defense with Dame and CJ sharing the back court. The front court players, including our small forwards, that we have playing defense behind them makes that a lot less of a worry. Not only can those players help cover for our guard defense, it allows our guards to close out and be more aggressive.
As long as Dame and CJ are both putting effort in on the defensive end I think we'll be fine for the reasons you stated. Who new that effort from our forwards and bigs would make our defense better?!
Of course if he was taller and more explosive he would never had fallen to us. I agree he is a baller. Last night in the 3rd when he was using the screens to pull up on the base line for the wide open 10-15 foot jumpers I had a big smile on my face. He can create his own shot, but when he gets help......it so easy for him. Only time will tell how well this combo fits together, but from day 1 Dame seemed excited about it's potential. (I am talking draft day) I think he knows you can't double both of them. One good screen is all these two guys need to get their shot off. They are not Hall of famers like Dumars and Thomas, but I think it will still work.
Has CJ ever dunked for us? Not that it's a big deal.. I can only find one video of him dunking in college, but it is a pretty nice one.
ESPN'S Tom Penn: "They Have Two Damian Lillards" Link "They have two Damian Lillards! CJ McCollum, when he was drafted by Portland, compared perfectly to Damian Lillard... Now, after losing four out of their five starters, CJ's healthy, and he's knocking in three-pointers at 46% per clip. They are bombing away!" - Tom Penn
Apropos of nothing, "C.J. and the Dame" sounds like a 70's TV detective show title.... with this as the theme song: HCP, if you can get someone to use this music in a 4th quarter highlight package, I guarantee it'd be awesome.
Looking at those numbers, I wonder if Roy played in the wrong era. He had the best 2 pt FG%, but the worst 3 pt%. Doubly odd as he rarely got easy shots in transition. In the pre-trey era, he might well have been even more dominating.
I know his combine numbers but CJ definitely looks taller than Lillard who is a legit 6'3" - CJ at 6'3.25" looks inaccurate. Both are putting up 20+ ppg with 20+ PERs