A popular slogan among locals in Oregon’s largest city is “Keep Portland Weird,” an expression that promotes some of the eccentricities of the place, which is located in the northwestern part of the state (and America).
“Weird” is also how New Orleans guard CJ McCollum described his experience several times Wednesday, as he prepared to play against the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time. A member of the Blazers from the 2013 draft until a Feb. 8 trade to the Crescent City, the 30-year-old wasn’t used to seeing the Moda Center from a different vantage point.
“It’s been weird,” McCollum said after Wednesday’s shootaround.