CJ McCollum burns Torrey Craig over ‘great defense’ on him for clinching shot

CJ McCollum was not messing around during Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday.

McCollum was feeling it throughout his Portland Trail Blazers’ 100-96 win over the Denver Nuggets and did not let up in the fourth quarter. He went 3-for-5 over the final three minutes of the game, making what proved to be the game-sealing shot on an elbow jumper.

CJ McCollum. Craig played great 1v1 defense what a huge shot. That's tough. pic.twitter.com/ArXcTfKHwh

— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) May 12, 2019

In his tweet about the play, Steve Jones Jr. said Denver’s Torrey Craig played “great” defense on McCollum. McCollum disagreed, saying “Great defense my a–,” in response on Twitter.

He was just oozing with confidence all day.

That was further felt by McCollum saying he demanded the ball at the end because he didn’t think Craig could guard him.

CJ just said he told his coach Torrey Craig couldn’t check him, so to give him the ball on that final possession. wheeeeeew

— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) May 12, 2019

McCollum played like a man sick of being caught up in the memes for not winning a playoff game in the Blazers’ last two postseason trips. Sunday’s performance is what fans will remember about him now.