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Hardwood Paroxysm Presents The Replacements: Bench players we’re most excited to watch in the NBA Playoffs

By HP Basketball Network

Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) shoots a free throw during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. The Spurs won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith (5) shoots a free throw during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. The Spurs won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Trail Blazers won the game 87-81. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Andy Liu (@AndyKHLiu) is most excited to watch….C.J. McCollum

He might end up starting due to the incredibly snake-bitten Portland Trail Blazers roster that has seen injuries to just about everyone not named Damian Lillard. With Arron Afflalo nursing a shoulder sprain for the next couple weeks, the Blazers will need all of their 2013 lottery pick. Unfairly, and expectedly, compared to Damian Lillard because of his small-school pedigree, McCollum struggled in his rookie season because that’s what rookies do. As the Blazers stumble to the finish line, McCollum has a chance to establish himself as a potential scoring powerhouse in the NBA.

Possessing perhaps the cleanest and smoothest jumper on the team, McCollum has excelled in the past month, knocking down open shots and getting to the rim at a pace that’s a poor man’s version of his backcourt mate. The matter of success is still very much in doubt. Pair McCollum and Lillard together and Stephen Curry will go off for 90 on you just like he did a couple nights ago when Curry broke his own three-point record. But forget all that. Offense is entertaining and the backcourt fireworks of McCollum and Lillard provide just that. Add the postseason atmosphere of Moda Center as the backdrop? Spectacular.

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