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C.J. McCollum is one of a few stars who have chosen to make poster dunks less of a priority as they've grown into their NBA careers. The always interactive Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard answered a fan's question on Twitter, who brought up why he doesn't dunk as often anymore?
The Lehigh standout answered very matter-of-factly — “They don't pay me to dunk. I dunked to show I was athletic. Now longevity is the key.”
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McCollum at 6-foot-3, has made his mid-range and long-range jumpers his meal ticket, along with an array of strong finishes at the basket. To his point, dunking is worth two points, just as much as a layup, but a lot less demanding on the body than a scoop off the glass.
Most notably, the likes of Blake Griffin have looked to take a step back and settle for a more refined game, rather than the aggressive drive-and-dunk play-style that can take a toll on his joints later down the road.
In an NBA world where contracts are at an all-time high, McCollum, one of the most cerebral players in the game, has prioritized his longevity over the highlight reels and hoopla around his athletic feats — after all, money talks even louder than fans.
