CJ McCollum dropped 32 points to tie the series, then declared he's no villain, just a competitor enjoying playoff basketball.
CJ McCollum has put the Atlanta Hawks on his back in the scoring department during their first-round series against the New York Knicks. In Game 1, McCollum posted 26 points. In Game 2? He erupted for 32 points, and made clutch shot after clutch shot down the final stretch of Atlanta's electric 107-106 victory Monday Night.
The Hawks and Knicks series is now knotted at one a piece.
"I am no villain, McCollum said. "I'm a nice guy with two kids and a wife. I think it's admiration. Great passionate fans in a really hostile environment. It’s fun. It’s basketball. It’s the playoffs. If anything, I think it's a sign of respect.”
CJ McCollum's clutch shooting has been something Atlanta has leaned on, and it has to give the team so much confidence now that the series is headed to State Farm Arena for the next two games.
This quote is very emblematic of this Hawks team being so calm, collective, and together. Atlanta was down as many as 14 points in Game 2, and trailed by eight halfway through the fourth quarter.
One major issue for the Knicks has been guarding McCollum with smaller defenders. CJ looks like he's able to get to whatever spot on the floor he wants, and has had nothing but quality looks at the rim in both games of the series.
One quote from McCollum's postgame interview that won't win him new fans among the Knicks faithful is his calling out what he felt was Brunson acting to draw a technical foul.
“I shot a jumper, and Jalen thought we were at a Broadway show," McCollum said. "He acted it out until they reviewed it. It’s a normal jump shot, nothing there. Unnecessary, and I look forward to getting my $2,500 back.”
If Nickeil Alexander-Walker can get going, and Jalen Johnson can continue to create plays for his teammates, the Hawks might have a key advantage for the rest of this series.