Portland Trail Blazers: 2017-18 player grades for C.J. McCollum

Strengths

On the offensive end of the floor, McCollum is an elite scorer and ball-handler. He had seven games of 30 points or more this season, including scoring 50 points at home against the Chicago Bulls.

McCollum finished top 20 in the NBA in scoring and top 30 in 3-point shooting. McCollum has some of the best ball-handling skills in the NBA and is one of the toughest guys in guard in the league.

One of the most significant improvements in McCollum’s game this season was his defense. He was active and physical on that end this season, and that was something we have not seen from him before. McCollum isn’t going to be a lockdown defender, but he will at least be able to hold his own.

He has the skills to take even the best defenders one-on-one and score on them. He is quick and crafty with the ball and always seems to find space to get his shot off. McCollum finished top three in the NBA in pull-up scoring at 8.9 points per game.

He can beat defenses with the ball in his hands, but he is just as deadly off the ball. McCollum is a sniper from anywhere on the court, and he uses his quickness to get around a screen and fire off a shot. He shot 43 percent on catch-and-shoots from the 3-point line this season.

McCollum is also a great passer. He doesn’t post a high assist total on the stat sheet, but he is smart with the ball in his hands, always finds the open man and can throw some flashy passes on the spot.

Kevin Durant was on the Bill Simmions Podcast and said that McCollum is one of the toughest guys to defend in the league. I bet you Durant is not alone in feeling that way about the Blazers guard.