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

CJ米cCollumis entering his sixth season with thePortland 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 toldMichael 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 thefootsteps 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 Scottohere(The Athletic subscription required).