C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers drives the ball past Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 2, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo : Getty Images/Christian Petersen)
Following a Twitter war against Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons, CJ McCollum of the Portland Trailblazers will be facing another battle as he is set to fly in New Orleans for the National Basketball Association All-Star Weekend to compete once again in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest.
The fourth year sharpshooter said he was hesitant in joining as the All-Star Weekend means rest for players who will not participate but seeing his performance last year and his girl not being able to go to vacation with him pushed McCollum to grace the contest once more, CBS Sports reported.
After a gruelling first half in this NBA season, the former Lehigh University star wanted to get some rest to ready himself for the second half of the season as the Portland Trailblazers, who are in ninth place in the Western Conference, need to make a late push for a playoff spot. Also, his backcourt buddy, Damian Lilliard, will also not be seen in the All-Star Game after being snubbed despite career averages of 26.2 points and 4.7 rebounds.
McCollum shared that her girlfriend, Elise Esposito, has a test and could not go with him in his supposed vacation, convincing him to go to New Orleans and spend 48 hours before going out there and getting the rest he so desires.
The 25-year-old combo guard, who was just a replacement for Chris Bosh in last year's Three-Point Contest, was eliminated early in the first round after scoring just 14 points. He is averaging a career-high 42.2 percent from deep and has a better chance to win this year against the likes of defending champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks' Wesley Matthews who could also be competing in the said competition, NBC Sports reported.
Watch the video below of McCollum's attempt in the 2016 Footlocker Three-Point Contest:
