LeBron James is targeting CJ McCollum with mysterious social media message

08/17/2020 Health


When Trail Blazers veteran Carmelo Anthony walked to the beneficiary strip on Saturday afternoon, with only 6.2 seconds left in Portland’s first play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies, the television camera turned to Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum.

The two shared a long embrace.

Former Blazers forward and veteran Anthony Tolliver were fouled after grabbing Melo in the final seconds. The Trail Blazers currently have a 123-119 lead in the game.

It was a moment in which Nurkic and McCollum embraced it that really captured Saturday’s game and the emotions that Nurkic played through.

During the bus ride over to the arena Saturday morning, Nurkic found out that his grandmother had died of COVID-19.

I did not want to play today, she let me play, I think. Personally, I did not want to play tonight … But I think I already made the decision to stay here with the team, so I think she wants me to play, so I’m glad we won and play in the playoffs – which we came for. – Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic

Nurkic threw his heart and soul into Saturday’s game, finishing with 22 points, 21 handballs, and six assists in an impressive 41 minutes of work.

[Listen to the Talkin’ Blazers Podcast with hosts NBA Champion Channing Frye and Emmy Award winner Dan Sheldon and special guest Kevin Love].

Blazers head coach Terry Stotts mentioned after the game that there was never any talk of Nurk not playing on Saturday.

‘Of course it was emotional. I could not be prouder of him. It’s very difficult. I know this has been hanging over his head for a while. There was never any talk of not playing, “said Stotts.

Trail Blazers team captain Damian Lillard, who finished with another double-double, this time with 31 points and 10 assists, praised his big man after the win.

I think he was great. I thought it was a very special achievement of his to go with his grandmother past and to be able to get out and have that kind of effort and focus that on a basketball game when he had something so much more important on his mind and on his hert. I think that just speaks to parts of his character and who he is and how much it means to him to be back and be a part of this team. – Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard on Jusuf Nurkic

After McCollum and Nurkic embraced, McCollum and Lillard also shared an embrace when Portland flexed his experience on the young Memphis team and defeated the Grizzlies, 126-122. Portland is now advancing to the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs.

[RELATED]: Blazers vs. Lakers will be ‘most anticipated matchup’ of the 1st round in years

Nurkic, Lillard and McCollum looked exhausted when the final horn sounded, but they realized what they wanted to do when they came to Orlando – they made it to the playoffs.

Basically, we played a playoff series of nine. – Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said of the seeding games and play-in tournament

McCollum, who went on to play through the pain of a small back fracture, was Saturday Clutch McCollum.

Or more than Shark McCollum.

I always said I was a shark … No matter what the circumstances. I’ve always said people do not worry about me, I’ll figure out how to eat and that’s what I’ve always done … Because if you do not kill, you will be killed here. You will be destroyed, figuratively speaking, and you will go home. – CJ McCollum

McCollum had also spoken to Memphis rookie Ja Morant during the game, like a shark with his teeth, saying “you can not fight me”.

The Grizzlies need National Geographic to help prevent a shark attack:

“Step one tries to prevent the attack completely.”

Memphis could not prevent McCollum’s attack. The Blazers started shooting hit a step-back three with 1:50 left on the clock and followed that up with a 21-foot jumper to put Portland at 119-113 with 1:21 to go.

McCollum pushed his health to the side as he continued on the floor for his team.

However, after Saturday’s victory, he discussed that his injured back does not come close to what Nurkic is currently facing.

‘What he is going through is nothing compared to what I am going through at the moment – losing someone who is so close to him, so our prayers are with him and we will continue to try to support him as best we can, but we are grateful that he could go out and fight today, but it’s much bigger than basketball with us. Family is always the most important thing, ”McCollum said.

Play for each other – that’s what this Trail Blazers squad is doing right now.

And it starts with Damian Lillard.

“I’ve said this a lot – a lot comes with Dame,” Coach Stotts explained of the character of his team and the way they fight through adversity. ‘I think Dame’s leadership, his approach when he came to Orlando – the team fell for it. It’s a collection of wills … It did nothing I did, I think it’s within each of them. “

Lillard is the real deal on the court. No one will dispute that. (Expect Shipless Ship.)

But, Lillard is also the real deal when it comes to being a real teammate.

It is because of Lillard’s high character that the Blazers are where they are today, just as the five-time All-Star postgame puts it:

I try to be the example of the game I preach and the standard we have in our culture. I enjoy building real relationships with my teammates. I have a real friendship with all my teammates and I am able to say certain things to them or share certain things with them in the heat of battle or just on the couch or in the locker room or whatever also because they know I really care about them and they know I really want the best for them … When you show people that you believe in them and show people that you care about them over time you and you do it all the time, then you do not have to be a dictator over everything or try to carry everything out. People just respect you and they reflect the energy you give them. – Damian Lillard

The embrace between Lillard and McCollum, and McCollum and Nurkic, were not only sighs of relief that they did not have to play in a second play-in-game Sunday. The hugs were not symbols that they were just happy to go to the playoffs to get a chance at the Lakers.

They are more than that.

The friendship between these three and the entire roster begins with the Trail Blazers as an organization as McCollum pointed to the win.

We go to a certain type of player with a certain type of character. Historically, our organization has done a good job of directing people to where we can come together as one and it starts with our leadership team and then it flows down to Dame and then me, and I think we can get people on board. And the way Dame leads it should be praised. They need to write a book about it. He is real. He’s honest. He cares. He makes him over the 15th man, the same way he cares for the second and third boys on the team and I think that kind of shows you his character. – CJ McCollum

Nurkic was presented with the game ball in the locker room Saturday before the team shouted, ‘Family’ at three.

This Blazers family is now putting their eyes on a first-round first-round pick, and you could be that they have no hugs in store for the LA Lakers.

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