Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum is “all in” on restarting the 2019-2020 NBA season despite the threat that COVID-19 poses. McCollum claims his earlier reticence to play was not based on health issues alone and has now been addressed. Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report unfolded the shooting guard’s sentiments via Twitter this morning.
CJ says when the Blazers players held an informal vote at the beginning of discussions, he voted no on playing based on the information at the time. His feelings have changed now and he's all-in.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020
CJ says the team's "No" vote on the initial return-to-play plan wasn't out of not wanting to play, it would out of a preference for one of the other potential formats that was on the table.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020
CJ McCollum: "I did consider not playing. If the majority of players had decided not to play, I wouldn't have played as well. ... For me, I don't have little kids in the house. My grandparents don't live with me. ... I felt like it was in my better interests personally to play."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020
CJ: "You have to understand that everyone's life is so different. If I was taking care of my grandma, I wouldn't go. Everyone's situation is so different. You have to weigh it based on what you feel is the priority."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020
CJ says he's comfortable with the measures in place to test all of the Disney employees that will come into contact with the players.
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020
CJ on packing for Orlando: "All I know is I've got my wine shipped ahead so I don't have to carry it. I've got my Xbox, my laptop. Everything else we'll figure out."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020
McCollum also revealed which statement he’ll wear on the back of his jersey.
CJ says he's wearing "Education Reform" on the back of his jersey. "That's something that we lack in certain communities. In the Black community, people of color, kids are at a disadvantage."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 6, 2020