CJ McCollum Says Notion That Warriors Ruined NBA Is 'Garbage'

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum thinks criticisms of the Golden State Warriors' superteam are "garbage." 

Appearing on the HoopsHype Podcast with Alex Kennedy on Monday, McCollum said he thought the Warriors caught far too much flack for adding Kevin Durant to their 73-win core last July. 

"No, no, I think that's garbage, man," McCollum said of the notion the Warriors are bad for the game. "I think they've done things the right way. It's not like they cheated. They drafted well. They developed players within. Steph, Klay, Draymond, those players were drafted. And then they bring in an outsider in KD, who was a free agent, had every right to sign with whatever team he wanted.

"I don't understand how that's considered bad for the game. If anything, other teams need to get better. Other teams need to figure out ways to execute trades, to execute in the draft, develop players internally and try to put something together." 

That sentiment has been echoed to a degree by LeBron James—who told reporters on June 8 he thought the Warriors were good for the NBA even if they threw the league's competitive balance off-kilter. 

"It's part of the rules," James said of the Warriors adding Durant, according to the Associated Press' Tom Withers (via NBA.com). "Is it fair? I don't care. It's great for our league. Right now, look at our TV ratings, look at the money our league is pouring in. I mean, who am I to say if it's fair or not?"

"I'm not one to judge and say if it's fair or not if guys are adding players to their team," James added. "It happens. It's sports. You have an opportunity to sign one of the best players, and you can do it, go ahead and do it."

To McCollum's point, the pressure is on the NBA's other 29 teams to try to build legitimate challengers who can take down the defending champions in the years ahead. 

For now, the Cavaliers appear focused on stockpiling their superstar arsenal further. 

Since the season ended, the Wine and Gold have been linked to Indiana Pacers swingman Paul George, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, and Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler in trade rumors. 

On Tuesday, CSN Chicago's Vincent Goodwill reported the Cavaliers are one of the teams engaging the Bulls in trade talks revolving around Butler in advance of Thursday's draft.