CJ McCollum's Career Still Stuck At Crossroads
New Orleans, La.- The New Orleans Pelicans traded for CJ McCollum while both player and team were seeming at a crossroads. The organization was mired in mediocrity and needed another marque name next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. McCollum was going to move on from the only professional situation he'd ever known, one way or the other.
The now 11-year veteran had been paired his entire professional career with All-NBA star Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers made one Western Conference Finals run but the NBPA President never even made an NBA All-Star team as the second-best player on a contending team. The writing was on the wall when Portland regressed the following seasons but McCollum had input in the process and picked the Pelicans.
It was too great of a situation to pass up. New Orleans was supposed to be a new opportunity for McCollum to show off more of his game and share knowledge with a new locker room. Leadership from an elder statesman was supposed to catapult the Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson-led Pelicans to the top tier of contender status.
Dec 11, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) high fives guard CJ McCollum (3) during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
It was also a move to change the media narrative on McCollum's name. The best active player to not get an All-Star nod would instead get a ring and a new level of respect as a key contributor. The critics of his game would be silenced. His legacy as a small-market sniper would be secured.
Unfortunately, mounting injuries have almost derailed the plans and McCollum's career is still seemingly stuck at the same crossroads.
For the 10th year running, McCollum "was passed over as an NBA All-Star reserve while we were on the 10-game losing streak. I wasn’t surprised, but I was happy for the guys that made it. And obviously, if we could have been a little bit more competitive, that might have helped. But we were going through a tough stretch in the season at a time when the [All-Star] voting had started."
McCollum's career is dotted with tough stretches and playoff disappointments. It might be a mistake, but it feels like a now-or-never situation for the Lehigh alum.
CJ: Sidekick Star, Secondary Playoff Threat
New Orleans was 10 games under .500 and all but left for dead as an NBA Draft Lottery team when McCollum was surprisingly acquired. The Pelicans went 13-13 to finish the regular season. McCollum and Ingram (acquired from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis deal) then won two elimination games on the road against the San Antonio Spurs and LA Clippers.
Then came a date against 'Point God' Chris Paul the top-seeded Phoenix Suns. McCollum has his moments against the future Hall of Famer but it was Jose Alvarado who got most of Paul's attention. The Pelicans battled in a six-game series that was much closer than the Suns wanted it to be, and Phoenix crashed out in the second round.
Apr 28, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) is defended by Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the first half of game six of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Ingram was the breakout, bonafide star in that first-round series. CJ (22 ppg, 5 apg vs. Suns) did not take a back seat to B.I. (27 ppg, 6apg) in that series, but he was largely overshadowed a bit when the media start giving out credit. Still, everyone in the building felt assured the Pelicans had an undeniable foundation that would help McCollum age gracefully through a new contract extension.
The Pelicans then got off to a 23-12 start to the 2022-23 season with Williamson back in the fold and earning All-Star recognition. New Orleans was quickly becoming a legitimate Western Conference contender and a darkhorse NBA Finals pick. McCollum's bet on New Orleans' future was looking wiser by the day.
There is just one problem. Though the chemistry and culture are in place, the projected starting five just cannot get on the court together. Instead, injuries have derailed the plans. McCollum's career move of hitching his wagon to the two young stars is stuck on the proverbial tracks and he still did not get an All-Star invitation.
Publically unfazed through it all, McCollum explained in his season-long Andscaped journal, "We’re all battling something, man. Everybody’s battling something. Obviously, I’m dealing with my [right] thumb. I’ve been dealing with it for a little while. It is what it is...for our team, it would be nice to be healthy. It hasn’t been that way this year. Hopefully, the break gives us that chance to reset. And hopefully, big fella (Williamson) is back sooner rather than later."
Jan 20, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Big 3's Potential Puttering Along
McCollum, Ingram, and Williamson have played just 172 minutes together over 10 games this season. They have a 120.9 Offensive Rating, a 104.4 Defensive Rating, a Net Rating of 16.5, and play at a 101.7 pace. McCollum's Effective Field Goal Percentage (.531) with the Pelicans through 78 regular season games is better than all but two seasons with Portland.
Comparatively, that trio bests the league-leading 117.6 offensive mark of the Denver Nuggets by over 3 points. Likewise, the NOLA Big 3 is almost five points better defensively than the Cleveland Cavaliers (109.3). Their pace would be near the top five, perfect for Willie Green's Point-Five concepts.
But the Big 3's hype train is just puttering along, unable to get out of the station for extended periods of runtime. The Pelicans ranked just 22nd at 111.9 OFFRTG in the six-week stretch with Williamson out.
McCollum and Ingram have been trying to force a take-your-turn two-man game that has stagnated the offense. Leaning into old habits hurt the team's development. It also brings out the critics of McCollum's dribble-heavy game.
Again, stuck at a career crossroads trying to answer many of the same questions that lingered in Portland. Can McCollum play next to a star (or two)? Could he lead a team when needed? Well, McCollum has been able to carry the team when both All-Star sit out and has looked comfortable letting Zion and B.I. run the show when they are hot.
Apr 22, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) and guard CJ McCollum (3) talk in the second half of game three of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at the Smoothie King Center against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns won, 114-111. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
McCollum said back in November, "I think I’ve managed the games really well. I’m getting guys in the right spots. I’m figuring out how to execute down the stretch of games and making sure people are getting their touches. We had multiple games where all the starters have been in double figures. Our bench guys are coming in and contributing. So, the ball is moving how it is supposed to. I’m making the right decisions. I have been playing complete basketball. I’d like to shoot better but I’ve been battling some finger issues that have affected my shot."
Still, in his first 78 regular season games as a Pelican, McCollum is averaging 22 points, 5.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. Williamson sat out all of McCollum's 26 games with the team last season. Williamson (30) and Ingram (35) have missed a combined 65 games this year.
This team just needs time and a bigger platform to show their growth together. Until then, McCollum's contributions will largely go unnoticed by the national media. The career crossroads has hit an acknowledgment traffic jam of sorts but McCollum gets all the credit inside the locker room.
"He's kind of carrying us right now with guys being out," Pelicans head coach Willie Green said of McCollum in January. "We need him to score a bit more and he's doing it. He's more than capable...Even when he started the season a little slow, he's gotten himself going. It's incredible to see how consistent he is in his efficiency on the floor."
Apr 5, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green and guard CJ McCollum (3) talk before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The increase in usage rate and weight of shouldering more of those offensive burdens did start to wear on McCollum, who is still battling through a thumb injury. As teams game-planned against him with no worries about Williamson or Ingram as a counter, McCollum's shooting averages all decreased.
His field goal percentage through the All-Star break (.435) was the lowest since his rookie and sophomore campaigns. McCollum's two-point shots were rimming out a little more than usual but the three-point shot was still falling at a nearly 40% clip.
McCollum continued in the journaling piece, "It’s that part of the year where you make a decision... are you going to sit down and try to push through to help us make the climb to the [NBA] Finals, especially considering we’ve been so hurt this year?
McCollum's Multifaceted Leadership
McCollum is the union president for a reason. His calm off-court demeanor is universally respected by both friend and foe. So is his competitive nature. McCollum's message to the team will resonate after last year's run.
"Coming out of the All-Star break is a sprint...All-Star break’s not the halfway point. We’re almost 60 games in. There (sic) 20 to 25 games left where we played the majority of the season and now it’s a sprint....some teams fold after the break, some teams make a run and try to climb into the postseason...it’s important that players and fans alike understand that the majority of the season has been played. Now it’s a sprint and jockeying for position for the playoffs." wrote McCollum in his journal.
Maintaining control and responsibility as the lead guard has been a priority. He has been open about plans to be more of a focal point and initiator for the Pelicans. It's an earned role after leading the team to a top-4 start while Ingram and Williamson missed out over half the games.
The capability is not in question, it's the consistency. Everyone knows the talent and work are there, it just needs to be unlocked with this team.
McCollum is "paid like an All-Star" but still lacks that one signature moment to hang a hat on. Dame got all the big shots in Portland. Ingram had a star turn against Phoenix. With Williamson still dealing with an injury, it could be time during this stretch run for McCollum's big, lasting-moment moment with the Pelicans.
When it comes, McCollum needs to make the most of it or risk being stuck at the same crossroads for his whole career, answering many of the same questions.
