C.J. McCollum says it’s ‘garbage’ for people to think Warriors aren’t good for NBA
By Dave Daniels
C.J. McCollum thinks it is “garbage” that people believe the Golden State Warriors have destroyed interest in the NBA.
Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum recently came to the defense of the Golden State Warriors, and you might be surprised by what he had to say about the team that beat the Blazers in five games during the 2016 Western Conference Semifinals.
McCollum spoke with HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy, and the guard had some interesting thoughts about the Warriors. When asked if Golden State was bad for the league, McCollum reacted quite passionately.
“No, no. I think that’s garbage, man,” McCollum said. “They’ve done things the right way. It’s not like they cheated. They drafted well. They developed players within … and then they bring in an outsider in KD, who was a free agent and had every right to sign with whatever team he wanted. So, I don’t understand how that’s considered bad for the game.”
Golden State helped contribute to one of the most boring postseasons in recent memory. They didn’t lose a single game leading up to the NBA Finals, and they only lost one game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on the way to a championship.
But McCollum isn’t in awe, and he is putting the onus on other teams in the NBA to dig deep.
“If anything, other teams need to get better,” he said. “Other teams need to figure out ways to execute trades, to execute in the draft, develop players internally and try to put something together.”
McCollum also thinks that the only way to beat Golden State is to control the 3-point line. That is easier said than done, though, and it is hard to imagine anyone challenging the Warriors in the playoffs next season.
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The Blazers have three picks in the first round of the draft this Thursday, and that will be the main option they have to improve their team. Portland isn’t exactly a destination that many free agents want to flock to, but if McCollum and Damian Lillard continue to impress then that could change quite soon. Both guards will need to be brilliant for the Blazers to have any chance against Golden State in the near future.