CJ McCollum would rather be playing in the first round of the NBA playoffs this week, just like he did in each of his first nine NBA seasons.
But he's in unfamiliar territory, watching instead of participating as his playoff streak came to an end when the New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a play-in game 10 days ago.
It brought a quicker-than-expected end to McCollum's busy, up-and-down season. He played in 75 games for the Pelicans, including 37 games with a torn ligament in the thumb of his shooting hand.
The injury sometimes caused pain when he would catch passes from teammates.
It hurt some when he dribbled.
And it hurt some when he would shoot.
That pain became even worse the last two weeks of the season when he tore his labrum, a shoulder injury that also just happened to be on his shooting side.
But as a veteran and a leader on the team, he played right through it because that’s what veteran leaders are supposed to do. It’s why what McCollum did this season shouldn’t go unappreciated.
McCollum understood the importance of leading by example, a role he embraced both on and off the court. It’s how he managed to battle through those injuries during a trying season, all while also juggling his duties as president of the NBA Players’ Association and helping lead the way in negotiating the most recent collective bargaining agreement. The NBA and its players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement in April after months and months of talks.
So just how did McCollum find that balance of handling it all?
“I‘ve been balancing a lot of stuff my entire life,” McCollum said. “To whom much is given, much is required. I think I’ve done a really good job of planning my days out.
"I have a son. I’m married. I have priorities in my household that I take care of and then I begin my day as an NBA player. I take care of my business on the court. And I take care of my business off the court.”
On the court, he made the most 3-pointers he’s ever made in his career (211) while averaging 20.9 points and 5.7 assists. He also set a franchise record for 3-pointers in a game, knocking down 11 treys against the Philadelphia 76ers in December to break the record of 10 set by Peja Stojakovic in 2007.
The season wasn’t all highs, though. His field goal percentage and 3-point shooting percentage took a dip from the season before, and his turnovers per game (2.4) was the second-highest of his career.
But chances are, the Pelicans' season totally would have capsized if McCollum hadn’t been an iron man despite playing with a banged-up hand and shoulder. Only Jonas Valanciunas played more games than the 31-year-old McCollum.
“What CJ did as a leader in walking the walk and playing with a totally torn thumb ligament and playing with a torn labrum on his shooting arm was pretty remarkable,” said David Griffin, the Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations. "Not wanting it listed on the injury report because he didn’t want (opposing teams) to take cheap shots at it. Smart. It's the type of veteran leadership you want.”
All while also handling his business as president, a position he’s held since 2021. Reaching an agreement ensured NBA fans that there won’t be any lockout through 2029. The intricate details of everything from free agency to the salary cap and luxury taxes and a newly implemented in-season tournament are all part of the new agreement.
Helping to come up with something that everyone likes isn't easy. It's why McCollum welcomes every player in the league to get involved in the process and attend meetings and give their input.
“There are 450 players and 450 different opinions,” McCollum said. “People have this misconception that the CBA deal is whatever I want. It’s about collectively bargaining and finding a happy medium and fighting for what we really want to fight for. It’s the same for the league. In this sport, in this business, in this world in general, you can’t make everybody happy. It’s impossible. You have to do what’s best for the collective and I think we’ve accomplished that.”
McCollum did his part, balancing a schedule of meetings, being a father and husband, and the grind of an 82-game NBA schedule.
“There are 24 hours in a day,” McCollum said. ”It’s all about how you use them. Some people play video games. Some people take five-hour naps. Some people have other jobs.
"For me, it’s about making sure I’m building a legacy. Not just for my family, but for the rest of the league. When I retire, I want the game to look better than it was when I got here and I think we are definitely headed in that direction.”
McCollum also thinks the Pelicans are headed in the right direction. That’s if they can ever get healthy. McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have played only 10 games together since McCollum arrived in New Orleans in February 2022.
Pelicans players missed a total of 345 games this season. McCollum missed only seven of them. He could have elected to have surgery on his hand during the season, but postponed it because the team needed him. He’s scheduled to have that surgery this week. He’ll also have an MRI done on his shoulder.
He’d much rather spend this week continuing his playoff streak than being operated on. But his streak came to an end. McCollum, speaking on his podcast this week, made it clear why he played even when his body probably told him not to.
“When I’m done with basketball, I’ll be able to look myself in the mirror and say I did everything I could to take advantage of my window,” he said.
And for that, what he played through this season shouldn't go unappreciated.