Power ranking NBA Western Conference shooting guards

November 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) shoots the basketball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kyle Singler (15) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 122-96. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) celebrates after a basket by Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Portland won 113-104. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. CJ McCollum, Portland Trailblazers

What’s not to love about the CJ McCollum story? From mid-major standout to Duke upsetter in the 2012 NCAA Tournament to lottery pick. Then from bench rider to starter to star. Blue-collar as they come.

So it’s only fitting that he end up in a gorgeous Terry Stotts offense next to Damian Lillard in Portland, swerving through and around screens, chucking shots over a scrambled defense, and getting to the rim. The Blazers make the end result appear slick, but you’re constantly aware that work is being done.

It’s popular to lump Lillard and McCollum together, both stylistically and statistically. While they both possess incredible off-the-bounce shooting ability and creative play-making technique, they are different players. McCollum is better suited for the in-between game, constantly launching crafty shots in the paint or from midrange.

Portland is at full-strength when both get going, but Lillard needs McCollum at this point. The Blazers’ success has continued without LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews largely because of McCollum’s craftiness and instantaneous development.

He has improved upon a season in which the NBA media voted him as the league’s Most Improved Player, so what does that make him now? Ignore the awards; McCollum has continued his improvement in nearly every statistical category and belongs in the superstar conversation just as much as his more famous backcourt-mate.

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