The J-Notes
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Where do Utah Jazz players rank in a loaded Northwest Division?

Tyler Thorpe|
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 07: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Ricky Rubio #9 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on January 7, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 07: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz shoots the ball against Ricky Rubio #9 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on January 7, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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Portland Trail Blazers Jusuf Nurkic CJ McCollum
PORTLAND, OR – APRIL 22: C.J. McCollum #3 and Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers run out before Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Golden State Warriors of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

(9) C.J. McCollum (SG, Portland Trail Blazers)

The combo of C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard has been the gold standard of backcourts across the division in recent years. However, their claim to best one-two punch will be challenged this year.

While McCollum seems to take a back seat to Lillard, he is still one of the most potent offensive weapons in the division and can score in bunches. Last season McCollum improved his scoring to 23 points per game while shooting career-high percentages from 3-point range and the free-throw line.

It helps that Lillard seems more than happy to share the load when C.J. is feeling it. Look for another impressive year from the fifth-year shooting guard.

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