USA TODAY International Edition
McCollum proves Blazers are more than one-man show
Clank, clank, clank.
Damian Lillard’s missed shots during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals went from a source of concern to a source of hope as the Trail Blazers prepare to face the Warriors.
“Dame Time,” they call it, when Lillard lights things up with his long-range shooting and propels the Blazers. But Sunday against the Nuggets, with Lillard on his way to a 3-for-17 shooting debacle and the Blazers down by 17 points in the second quarter, Portland had to prove it was more than a one-man show.
Mission accomplished after a 100-96 victory in which one thing become exceedingly clear: Lillard’s backcourt mate, C.J. McCollum, looks ready for prime time.
McCollum scored 37 points on 17for-29 shooting from the floor and had nine rebounds — and a memorable postgame moment.
Making his way off the court, McCollum stopped for an interview with ESPN analyst Doris Burke. “C.J.,” she said, “it always feels a little bit like when your team is questioned about the viability of the backcourt after the failures of last year’s playoffs, it’s your name that comes up. How much fuel do you get from those kind of questions?”
McCollum replied, “Honestly, I got enough motivation. I got it out of the mud. I went Lehigh University, you know what I’m saying?”
His voice cracked as he continued. “No one’s ever been drafted from there before,” said McCollum, whom Portland selected 10th overall in the 2013 draft. “So for me, it’s about showing what I can do every night and keeping the door open for the next mid-major.”
These postgame interviews are usually handled by Lillard.
“He’s the heart and soul of our team, and he’s done a great job of empowering us and leading us,” McCollum said. “I just kept trying to be aggressive, and he seen that I had it going, so he kept making sure I was staying involved in the offense and taking shots.”
As Lillard struggled, Portland needed more from its bench. Evan Turner led the way with 14 points and seven rebounds and Zach Collins chipped in seven points and five rebounds.
“It’s unbelievable to see how hard everybody worked,” McCollum said.
Lillard kept working, too. He finished with 13 points and helped make up for his woeful shooting with 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.
Dame Time won’t be enough when the Trail Blazers play the Warriors in the Western Conference finals. If the Blazers have any chance of stopping the Warriors, they’ll need to rely on more than a single star.