NBA: 5 Role Players Exceeding Expectations

4 of 6

Feb 10, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) drives past Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

C.J. McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers

The most surprising team to the 2015-16 season has to be the Portland Trail Blazers. The story of losing four starters from last season’s lineup has been told to exhaustion, but nobody could’ve predicted that Damian Lillard could carry them to a 33-28 record so far and comfortably in the playoff picture.

Once you take into consideration the the season that C.J. McCollum is having, that record becomes more understandable.

McCollum is the clear frontrunner for the Most Improved Player Award, unless you’re one of those people that have Stephen Curry coming away with both MVP and Most Improved Player. He has tripled his production from last season as he averages 20.9 points, 4.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds per contest.

The obvious reason for the big jump in production is the increase in minutes from last season’s 15.7 to 34.9 this season.

Nevertheless, McCollum’s game fits perfectly in the NBA. When he was drafted by Portland with the 10th overall pick in the 2013 draft, there were questions of whether or not he would have an impact out of a mid-major in Lehigh University. Now, Lillard and McCollum are in the argument of being the league’s best backcourt after 61 games this season.

The backcourt duo will continue to be the pulse of this Portland team moving forward. They have a realistic shot of moving up to fifth place before the regular season concludes while also bringing home the Most Improved Player Award from McCollum’s efforts and Coach of the Year, for which Terry Stotts’ name has been constantly circulating around.

Next: Adding some thrill for Denver