C.J. McCollum Says The Championship Warriors And Lakers Teams Are “Two Different Beasts, Same Animal But Different Beast.”

4 Min Read

29-year-old C.J. McCollum has faced plenty of competition over his seven years in the NBA — but perhaps none greater than the Golden State dynasty. Having lost to that team at least three teams, C.J. knows the pain of losing to a stacked super squad.

And while there’s no changing the past, McCollum recently mentioned the Warriors in an appearance on “Let’s Get Technical,” where he asked Rasheed Wallace, who faced the infamous Shaq-and-Kobe Lakers, for some insight on battling superteams.

McCollum: “Two, well for one, I’m not gonna compare the Warriors to the Lakers cause it’s two different beasts. It’s just like … same animal, different beast. We’re dealing with different types of roadblocks. We lost to the Warriors … 2015, 2016, 2018, like they done stopped us from winning a championship a lot of times.

And it’s just more so about what you think you should have done differently, or would’ve done differently to make sure your teammates are ready for that stage. Because like, when you’re a dog, you’re a dog. But now you need other people to be stars in their role. How do you get the best out of them, and what advice would you have for me to get over that hump?”

Wallace: “So, you know they were always a thorn in our side, but I definitely know where you’re coming from with the frustration of losing in the Western Conference Finals and falling short or this and that, because we went through it as well, but I think what Bonzi said was key, though CJ.

We already know what you gonna do, you already know what Dame is gonna do. We know what certain guys are gonna do. So now, y’all have to install that same will in those bench players who might not be able to play a whole bunch of minutes. Just let them know, it’s the same way as college. No matter if you’re getting a minute, two minutes, or 35 or 40 minutes. When you’re out there, you’ve gotta make a difference.”

There are few teams in NBA history as dominant as the early 2000s Lakers. With Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, and Horace Grant, they had a balanced inside-outside attack, predicated off the chemistry of the Shaq/Kobe duo.

The Warriors, of course, had plenty of star power as well — with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and (later) Kevin Durant. With a heavy focus on three-point shooting, they played a much more modern style of basketball. They made five straight Finals appearances and won three Championships during the peak of their run.

While C.J. has yet to win a title with the Blazers, it seems the key to maximizing his team’s chances rest in his role players. If he and Dame can help the other guys reach the peak of their potential, it could spell good news.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMxAOrNU-eY

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Nico Martinez is a veteran staff writer for Fadeaway World from Brooklyn, New York. He joined Fadeaway World in 2016 and is currently residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Nico holds a degree in Sports Management from Columbia International University where he built a strong foundation in the inner workings of sports media and management. Nico's contributions have significantly enhanced the credibility and depth of Fadeaway World's content, earning him recognition across the sports journalism community. His work has been discussed in prestigious publications like Sports Illustrated. A dedicated follower of LeBron James, Nico often leads coverage on news related to the basketball star. With nearly a decade of experience in sports journalism, Nico consistently provides comprehensive and timely basketball news, engaging a wide audience of basketball enthusiasts.Nico's most desired player to interview, past or present, is Kevin Durant. He is particularly keen on asking Durant if he has any regrets about his career, especially concerning his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder, and why he engages so much with fans on social media. 
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