Despite some recent struggles, the Portland Trail Blazers have one of the best overall duos and NBA backcourts in the league today. With the tandem of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum leading the way, the Trail Blazers can always be dangerous even when things aren't exactly going according to plan in the Pacific Northwest.

However, it appears as though Lillard and McCollum understand that their relationship must shift between both the court and away from it like the rapport between Houston Rockets guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

“They’re both MVPs,” Lillard recently said of the Rockets backcourt, via NBC Sports Northwest. “They’re smart enough players to figure it out, they’re friends, so I think that makes it easier for them to coexist and they’ve also played together before, obviously at different stages of their career, but all those things play a factor and I think that’s why it's been working out.”

Article Continues Below
More Trail Blazers News
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives against Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Magic rumors: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland must be on trade radar, says insiderJulian Ojeda ·
image thumbnail
3 players Portland Trail Blazers must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftCameron Zunkel ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) at Moda Center.
NBA rumors: Lakers insider drops eye-opening Blazers intel on potential trade candidateJulian Ojeda ·
Michael Porter Jr. photoshopped in Trail Blazers jersey (number 1)
Trail Blazers trade proposal for Michael Porter Jr. after postseason strugglesBailey Bassett ·
Austin Reaves (number 15) photoshopped in Trail Blazers jersey
Trail Blazers trade proposal for Austin Reaves lands Lakers a centerBailey Bassett ·
Malik Beasley playing basketball. Pistons logo in background.
Ranking 4 best Malik Beasley free-agency destinations if he leaves PistonsBailey Bassett ·

The Rockets notably acquired Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder this past offseason while he and Harden previously played together in Oklahoma City earlier in their careers. Lillard and McCollum have only suited up for the Trail Blazers as it stands today.

“If you look at the statistics, James is the man, not just on his team, but he’s averaging 40 points a game. So, he’s the man pretty much wherever he goes in terms of how he plays, how he gets to the free throw line, how he generates shots, but you’re talking about two people who were friends, so they’re able to coexist, it’s easy, they’ve known each other before basketball,” McCollum added.

Portland currently sits at a disappointing 5-8 on the year with Houston at a stellar 10-3.