Entering his second full season in New Orleans, the Pelicans will need CJ McCollum’s offensive punch. Ever since the Pelicans poached him from Portland midway through the 2021-22 season, he’s been a key offensive cog for a high-octane New Orleans squad, relieving pressure from their main scorers and carrying bench lineups offensively.
Rebounding From a Sub-Par Season
However, McCollum’s offense declined slightly in his first full season in New Orleans. He scored at the lowest clip — 20.9 points per game — since his breakout third year in the NBA. That figure came on on a career-low relative true shooting (54.1%), seven points below league average, and a career-low relative effective field goal percentage (51.5%), six points below league average. He turned the ball over at his highest rate since 2015-16, though his assist rate (25.1%) was a career-high.
He’s Still a Bucket
As always, McCollum hunts his patented pull-up and step-back jumpers, still an elite three-point shooter (38.9%, 7.2 attempts per game). Toggling between on and off-ball scoring seamlessly. McCollum threatens defenses as a catch-and-shoot threat who can attack closeouts and as a primary, pick-and-roll shotmaker. He had a down year last season from mid-range, where he has been elite throughout his career. Though the lack of rim/free-throw scoring will always hamper his efficiency, returning to form from mid-range will help McCollum and the Pelicans’ offense.
His playmaking has become solid, as McCollum slings basic skip passes and laydowns to cutters and rollers. McCollum’s patience and decision-making have improved with age as he slots in well as a secondary/tertiary playmaker next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. He’s not an advanced passer but he doesn’t need to be in his current role.
Picking His Spots Defensively
The defense has always been McCollum’s major limitation, as his size and athletic tools limit his ability to guard multiple positions and add value as a help defender. Lacking the size or lateral quickness to guard elite scorers, McCollum is best sitting on the opposing team’s point guard, assuming that player isn’t the driver of their offense. His awareness as a help defender is decent though he lacks the strength, speed and vertically to challenge offenses as a playmaker.
Luckily for McCollum, the Pelicans are loaded with defensive talent on the perimeter. His job is to score and provide offensive pressure, insulated defensively by the likes of Herb Jones, Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy.
Availability Is The Best Ability
McCollum’s durability can’t be understated, though, on a Pelicans team marred by high-profile injuries. He was one of four Pelicans last season to play over 70 games (starting in all 75 of them) and he’s reached the 60-game mark in eight of his ten NBA seasons. Even with his offensive and defensive limitations, McCollum’s consistent creation presence matters for New Orleans. And if the Pelicans can reach the postseason again, his experience and tough shot-making could prove invaluable.
Written by contributor Ben Pfeifer.
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