CJ McCollum Didn't Play For The Blazers Last Night Because The Trainer Messed Up And Left Him Off The Lineup Card

CSNNW - Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum began in night in uniform, though is inactive for Wednesday night’s game vs. the LA Clippers. It’s a strange set of circumstances, but here’s more clarity. An hour before tipoff, Allen Crabbe was listed as the starting shooting guard for the Trail Blazers, not CJ McCollum. McCollum was listed as inactive, prompting speculation of a hidden injury or illness. At 6:37pm, members of the Portland media received the following text message from Blazers PR: There was an error in the active roster list. To clarify, CJ McCollum IS active. When starting lineups were announced, PA announcer Mark Mason introduced Allen Crabbe as the starting shooting guard and head coach Terry Stotts was seen talking with a dressed CJ McCollum near the Blazers bench. Wait… what?! Weren’t things resolved? As it turns out, no. NBA mandates active and inactive rosters be submitted 60 minutes before tipoff. McCollum was listed as inactive, so he is officially inactive. 

Woopsies. Tiny little mistake right? Nothing like a small little clerical error to get your 2nd best player and best shooter benched before a big game when you’re fighting for the playoffs. That’s just so bad. Terry Stotts has to pay attention to that. It’d be like Dusty Baker leaving Bryce off the lineup card by mistake, I don’t even understand how it’s possible. There’s 2 guys the Blazers need in the lineup – Dame and CJ. Guess they batted .500 last night, so that’s one way to look at it. I have to assume the lineup is in alphabetical order and he accidentaly circled Montero instead of McCollum. Terrible mistake. Luis Montero – 7 games played, 1.7 ppg. McCollum – 36 games, 21 ppg, 40% from 3. Needless to say, the Blazers lost at home and are now 15-23.

And props to Doc Rivers for fighting the Blazers who tried to change it. Rules are rules. Doc could have given them the benefit of the doubt and allowed CJ to play, but he knows better. If the Blazers are dumb enough to bench their star player, the Clippers don’t have to let him play out of “good sportsmanship” or whatever. Don’t fuck up and it won’t be an issue.