C.J. McCollum is averaging 20.7 points and 4.1 assists per game this season as he's having a breakout year with increased minutes.

"For me as an individual, it’s been a good year," said McCollum. "Coming off an injury riddled season when I was hurt, not playing a lot of minutes. I wasn’t healthy. I was in and out of the rotation, playing around 15 minutes a game. And then we make the Arron Afflalo trade, and those 15 minutes go to zero. I got some DNPs, and then some injuries allowed me to get back into the rotation and I finish the season strong. … It was kind of like I played, then I didn’t play, played again, and then the season ended. So people didn’t know what to expect from me. Probably wasn’t sure how I would adapt to an increasing new role. Being on your podcast (last summer), I was really able to get a sense of the low expectations that people had for us around the NBA."

McCollum is a leading candidate for Most Improved Player and was asked if he thinks he deserves the award.

"There are a lot of good players that have improved. You look at my increased role and opportunity to increase my production; I think it stacks up pretty well against the rest of the guys. … I think based off what I’ve done and what our team has done – just the development and our coaching staff has spent tons of hours watching film and continuing to help us get better – we’re at a really good place. Individually, I’m continuing to get better and would love to accept the award on behalf of the city of Portland and Trail Blazers organization."