“I’ve been watching every game of New Orleans like, ‘Damn, he really ain’t coming back”‘: Damian Lillard confesses to having a hard time in dealing with CJ McCollum’s exit from Portland

Arjun Julka | 23/02/2022
"I've been watching every game of New Orleans like, 'Damn, he really ain't coming back"': Damian Lillard confesses to having a hard time in dealing with CJ McCollum's exit from Portland

Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard opens up on former teammate CJ McCollum’s trade to the Pelicans.

The Portland Trail Blazers are amid a rebuild surrounding franchise superstar Damian Lillard. The team has been unable to elevate itself to the next level despite Dame Time putting up some of the finest performances in recent years. Thus the front office has decided to revamp the roster.

Thus a few tough decisions were going to be made, and one such decision was to trade CJ McCollum. The former MIPY was drafted into the league by the Blazers. McCollum formed one of the best backcourts in the NBA, playing alongside Lillard.

The duo gave the Blazers fans some great moments, sharing the court for nine seasons. During his stint with the Blazers, McCollum averaged 19.0 PPG and 3.4 APG. The 30-year old shot 45.3% from the field and 39.6% from the 3-point line.

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During a recent appearance on The Draymond Green Show, Lillard poured his heart out on the McCollum trade and the end of an era in Portland.

Damian Lillard gets candid on the CJ McCollum trade.

The recent trade deadline saw the Blazers rework their roster around Lillard. The front office decided to part ways with one of their longest associations in McCollum.

It was not an easy decision for the management and an emotional day for Blazers fans. However, it has been the toughest for Lillard, who recently opened up about the trade on Draymond Green’s podcast.

“You gotta reroute yourself and try to figure out what’s the best thing/ angle to take at this point and that sh*t was tough to do, I ain’t gonna lie. Like, I’ve been watching every game of New Orleans like, ‘Damn, he really ain’t coming back.”‘

The duo of Lillard and McCollum enthralled fans around the globe with their sniper-like abilities and were probably the best backcourt after the Splash Brothers. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to achieve the expected success, never getting past the WCF.

Also read: “You gotta realize we’re an experienced team, we’ve been here before”: Michael Jordan on the dominant win over Charles Barkley and the Suns in Game One of the 1993 NBA Finals

In only his five games so far with the Pelicans, McCollum is averaging 28.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, shooting 51.4% from the field.

 

Post Edited By: Arjun Julka
2021-22 NBA trade deadline CJ McCollum Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

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