It may be preseason, but that doesn't mean players haven't already adopted a regular-season mindest. That much was evident Monday night when Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum tried to prevent a Gordon Hayward fastbreak layup in a tight game against the Utah Jazz.
Upon further review, McCollum was disciplined with a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from the game with 2:18 remaining in the fourth quarter of the eventual 88-81 Portland win. After the victory, McCollum addressed the situation with reporters in Salt Lake City.
"You have to respect the call the refs make," Stated McCollum. "I didn’t think it was Flagrant 2-worthy.