Fresh off signing a three-year, $100 million contract extension with the Portland Trail Blazers, CJ McCollum joined ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on The Woj Pod to talk about it. Here are some highlights from that conversation:
McCollum touched on the emphasis that he places on loyalty:
I’m a loyal person, man. I believe in doing things the right way. I believe in treating people the way you want to be treated and reciprocating love in certain circumstances and situations.
The 27-year-old guard also discussed his evolution into the player that he is today, working through his early struggles with injuries and lack of playing time:
I wasn’t CJ McCollum four, five, six years ago. I was a work in progress. I probably was Christian James more my rookie year to where I was hurt, trying to figure out plays, trying to figure out ‘Is he a two? Is he a one? Is he a combo? How is coach gonna use me? How many minutes am I gonna play?’
McCollum has been with the Blazers his entire six-year career. He talked about how he hopes to keep it that way and how he’s grown over the years:
I’ve been through a lot and I’ve grown with this city. I’ve grown with this organization, I’ve grown with Neil (Olshey), I’ve grown with Sam (Goldfeder), I’ve grown with my fiance, I’ve grown with Dame (Lillard) and I’ve been able to put things together where I’m like ‘This is my family. This is my home.’
McCollum also had some thoughts on why players are dropping out of Team USA, with a focus on the toll it takes on a player’s body:
Those extra miles...I already lead the league in miles or close to it every year. I don’t want to run in Australia, run around in China and then come back and get ready for the season when I could be strategically planning my workload, taking the breaks I need, getting my proper rest and work to where I peak at the right time.
He also elaborated more on Team USA, Kawhi Leonard, his beloved Cleveland Browns and more. You can listen to/watch the whole podcast here.