CJ McCollum on All-Star Chances, Loyalty to the Trail Blazers

CJ McCollum is entering his sixth season with the Portland Trail Blazers, elevating his game after injury-filled early years to Most Improved Player in 2015-16. Now, an All-Star team appearance isn’t out of the question, as McCollum told Michael Scotto of The Athletic (subscription required):

I know what type of player I am and what I have to offer to this league on a nightly basis and how I can impact the game in a variety of ways. But it’s a deep position, and it’s a deep conference to where there is a lot of worthy talent of making the All-Star Game every year that don’t make it. It’s just a part of the game.

McCollum’s teammate, Damian Lillard, has faced that predicament several times throughout his career.

And following in the footsteps of Lillard, McCollum says he’s also on board with being a “Blazer for life”...

“I’m forever grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me and would love to be a Blazer for life.”

…but also notes, like Lillard did, that the NBA is still a business:

“Coming from Canton, Ohio I think that it’s important you remember where you came from, remember what you’ve gone through and that you’d be as loyal as possible, but I also understand that it is a business.”

You can read more from McCollum’s candid interview with Scotto here (The Athletic subscription required).