Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:And he's just another example of why you don't just write off a rookie because of a bad first season.

Three nice playoff games is enough to sell you on him? Now, I'm not one to throw sample size in someone's face nor do I have a problem with McCollum, but I think it's advantageous for you to say this at this moment in time.

To be fair, McCollum's run is slightly longer than that, albeit still a relatively small sample size. When given minutes (27 mpg in April), he has shown promise (16 ppg / 53% fg).

There are issues here. He's not much of a creator. And he's smaller so he causes problems for Portland defensively. But it looks like the guy can score now that he's healthy and getting run. This is the first time he's played decent minutes consistently because of injuries or whatever and he's making the most of it.

It could be a mirage. But it seems like the guy has some game. All you can ask of him is to take advantage of his opportunity when it finally arrived and he sure seems to be doing it. Starter material? Don't know. But he's looking more and more like a valuable option off the bench on a good team.

Imagine the excitement here if some guy came out of relative obscurity to average 26 ppg on 28 - 46 fg over 3 games in the playoffs. The playoffs! Heck, I can remember Anthony Peeler getting a lot of love (and a new contract?) for less than that.


[Note: I liked McCollum out of college, although I'd be the first to admit that I'm not a college scout and it was more out of a dislike of most of the other guys in a relatively weak draft class.]

We waited almost 2 full seasons for a few good games from McCollum, and by "good game" I mean high scoring. He still can't guard anybody, which is why it's difficult to put him out there, and had 2 assists and 5 turnovers in his 3-game playoff "emergence". CJ scored well the past three games, but his club also lost 2 out of three (with 2 home games) despite Conley being out. His game last night was remindful of the Derrick Williams' 28-point offensive explosion against the Clippers that I was lucky to see in person at Staples, except Derrick actually played a little defense that night.

CJ is going to have to get some regular minutes and play some D for me to look at the Bazz/Dieng draft any differently.

My comment on CJ is that despite a poorish rookie year he stroked the 3 at a pretty healthy rate so there was at least that strength to go off and in the NBA Right now that's worthwhile. How is a shooter like that not able to knocks down better than 70% of his FTs? Weird.

longstrangetrip wrote:We waited almost 2 full seasons for a few good games from McCollum, and by "good game" I mean high scoring. He still can't guard anybody, which is why it's difficult to put him out there, and had 2 assists and 5 turnovers in his 3-game playoff "emergence". CJ scored well the past three games, but his club also lost 2 out of three (with 2 home games) despite Conley being out. His game last night was remindful of the Derrick Williams' 28-point offensive explosion against the Clippers that I was lucky to see in person at Staples, except Derrick actually played a little defense that night.

CJ is going to have to get some regular minutes and play some D for me to look at the Bazz/Dieng draft any differently.

To be fair, I remember the uproar here about Williams' game. And when Beasley did it. And, McCants. And, even when Darko got a double double.

Doing it twice in the playoffs... that's different. Not saying McCollum would have been a better pick than what the Wolves ended up with... only stating that he's produced this month when healthy and with minutes. Despite his limitations, he is showing signs of being a valuable contributor.

And doing it in the playoffs most certainly should count for something more than random regular season games for a 50- or 60-loss team.


[Note: As a Wolves fan, I'd hesitate to pull out the "it doesn't count because they lost" bit when talking about another team... especially one in the playoffs. By the way, Aldridge and Batum have combined to go 16 - 65 (24.6%) the past two games. Afflalo is 0 - 7 during that stretch. And going back over the recent McCollum mini-run... the Blazers best player is shooting 29% (17 - 58) in those games.]

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:We waited almost 2 full seasons for a few good games from McCollum, and by "good game" I mean high scoring. He still can't guard anybody, which is why it's difficult to put him out there, and had 2 assists and 5 turnovers in his 3-game playoff "emergence". CJ scored well the past three games, but his club also lost 2 out of three (with 2 home games) despite Conley being out. His game last night was remindful of the Derrick Williams' 28-point offensive explosion against the Clippers that I was lucky to see in person at Staples, except Derrick actually played a little defense that night.

CJ is going to have to get some regular minutes and play some D for me to look at the Bazz/Dieng draft any differently.

To be fair, I remember the uproar here about Williams' game. And when Beasley did it. And, McCants. And, even when Darko got a double double.

Doing it twice in the playoffs... that's different. Not saying McCollum would have been a better pick than what the Wolves ended up with... only stating that he's produced this month when healthy and with minutes. Despite his limitations, he is showing signs of being a valuable contributor.

And doing it in the playoffs most certainly should count for something more than random regular season games for a 50- or 60-loss team.


[Note: As a Wolves fan, I'd hesitate to pull out the "it doesn't count because they lost" bit when talking about another team... especially one in the playoffs. By the way, Aldridge and Batum have combined to go 16 - 65 (24.6%) the past two games. Afflalo is 0 - 7 during that stretch. And going back over the recent McCollum mini-run... the Blazers best player is shooting 29% (17 - 58) in those games.]

Wow the numbers don't lie CJ actually hurts his team and makes them shoot worse. Glad we missed taking that guy. Lol

monsterpile wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:We waited almost 2 full seasons for a few good games from McCollum, and by "good game" I mean high scoring. He still can't guard anybody, which is why it's difficult to put him out there, and had 2 assists and 5 turnovers in his 3-game playoff "emergence". CJ scored well the past three games, but his club also lost 2 out of three (with 2 home games) despite Conley being out. His game last night was remindful of the Derrick Williams' 28-point offensive explosion against the Clippers that I was lucky to see in person at Staples, except Derrick actually played a little defense that night.

CJ is going to have to get some regular minutes and play some D for me to look at the Bazz/Dieng draft any differently.

To be fair, I remember the uproar here about Williams' game. And when Beasley did it. And, McCants. And, even when Darko got a double double.

Doing it twice in the playoffs... that's different. Not saying McCollum would have been a better pick than what the Wolves ended up with... only stating that he's produced this month when healthy and with minutes. Despite his limitations, he is showing signs of being a valuable contributor.

And doing it in the playoffs most certainly should count for something more than random regular season games for a 50- or 60-loss team.


[Note: As a Wolves fan, I'd hesitate to pull out the "it doesn't count because they lost" bit when talking about another team... especially one in the playoffs. By the way, Aldridge and Batum have combined to go 16 - 65 (24.6%) the past two games. Afflalo is 0 - 7 during that stretch. And going back over the recent McCollum mini-run... the Blazers best player is shooting 29% (17 - 58) in those games.]

Wow the numbers don't lie CJ actually hurts his team and makes them shoot worse. Glad we missed taking that guy. Lol

With his paltry assists total... maybe you're onto something?

What is the deal with Rondo?

(said in my Seinfeld voice)

To be honest I think CJ would have been a great fit it Flip's offense. He's just a good shooter which would have made him a threat both behind the arc and in the midrange game. I'm happy with Bazz and Dieng, but I also would have been happy with CJ and 27.

McCollum has been good. But if Bazz was doing the same thing on Portland right now I am sure we would all be saying how we wanted him all along. I wish the best to both of them even though Bazz was always my guy. Patience should unfortunately still be the mantra of Wolves fans. One day Bazz will get his in the playoffs.

thedoper wrote:McCollum has been good. But if Bazz was doing the same thing on Portland right now I am sure we would all be saying how we wanted him all along. I wish the best to both of them even though Bazz was always my guy. Patience should unfortunately still be the mantra of Wolves fans. One day Bazz will get his in the playoffs.

Will it be in Minnesota?