(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Pelicans needed someone to provide an offensive spark at either guard position.
With Lonzo Ball no longer on the team, they struggled to generate offense in half-court sets, which is why they had to go after CJ McCollum.
Often overlooked and underrated, McCollum took his game to a whole new level since arriving in the Big Easy, finally operating as a lead guard, and helping the Pelicans flirt with postseason contention, even without Zion Williamson.
That’s why it seems like fans have finally started appreciating his game, and why they took to Twitter to wish him a happy 32nd birthday on Ball is Life’s post.
too smooth
— Brent Cole (@BrentCole69) September 19, 2023
Development
— Phil_Know_One (@hyghwayPhilBHF) September 19, 2023
CJ is a great player!!
— Sherry (@GardenerSherry3) September 19, 2023
He should be a 2 or 3 time all star. If he was in the same position Bradley Beal was in he would be a multiple All star
— Mauryyy (@Mauryyy20) September 19, 2023
McCollum’s career has been a bit of a wild ride.
He wasn’t even ranked as a senior high school player, and needed a major growth spurt to even be taken seriously as a baller.
He spent four years in college playing for the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, which is why it was kind of odd to see him making it to the league as the No. 10 pick.
Ten years later, he’s now a former winner of the Most Improved Player Award, and he’s been a walking bucket for the better part of his career.
Of course, the Pelicans’ postseason hopes will mostly hang on Brandon Ingram’s and Zion Williamson’s shoulders and health, but McCollum’s veteran leadership has also done wonders for this team.
He could be key for them to get back to the playoffs, and it’s nice to see that fans are finally giving him the recognition he’s always deserved.
The post Fans Celebrate Special C.J. McCollum Day appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Read full post on NBA News, Rumors, & Highlights (Updated Daily)
