C. J. McCollum Quotes

It's the playoffs. Everything kind of amps up a little bit.

Every moment is big in the playoffs.

Any time you go into the playoff game everyone's adrenaline is high and tensions are going, stuff like that.

The thing I've always liked about the playoffs is the finality of it and knowing there's so much importance on every play.

Every game in this league is close, and it's going to come down to making plays at the end.

In playoffs, it's so emotional and the tension's really high and guys are laying everything on the line. And when you do that, things get chippy and guys are playing aggressively, and I think it just comes out in the playoffs a little more. When you know what's on the line and what you're expected to do, it just comes out.

It's the Playoffs. This is what you play for.

It's the playoffs, man. If you don't get excited about the playoffs, you don't even deserve to be playing basketball.

Players are under such pressure in crucial moments, especially at the highest level with what is on the line.

The playoffs are tough. It's a different game.

It's the playoffs; you have to pick up the intensity.

I just want to go deep in the playoffs and be put in that situation where I'm locked in and the game and the season is on the line.

When it comes down to playoff basketball, it's attention to detail.

Many times, the game comes down to the final possession, the final shot. I want to become a better clutch performer. That's what separates the really good players from the really great players.

I show up in a playoff game, I have my sideline sheet. I can't even spit plays out, I get so excited. I mean, you get nervous. These are critical, do-or-die situations. Third down and 1, Red Zone, what do I call? Two minute drill? Are we going to go no huddle? These are decisions that you wrestle with.

The margin for error in the Champions League is tiny.

I think preparing every week like it's the most important game in the world makes things a little easier once you get in situations where a lot more people are watching and it might be a lot more important for people outside of the building.

When you're part of a World Cup, it's always now or never.

In the 123rd minute of the semifinal game at the Olympics against Canada, I scored the game-winning goal that brought us to the finals. You can't replicate those do-or-die moments in practice or a friendly game.

As a player, perhaps you have the chance to take part in a World Cup or a European Championship twice or three times in a lifetime. Other competitions, you have another match three days later. Here, it's different: we know we're out if we don't win.

With big clubs, it's always very demanding.

I just enjoy playing in the big moments, in the big games.

The kind of work I do, there's usually a lot of money on the line; there are jobs on the line. It's not a world that lends itself to everyone being friendly all the time. We're certainly not sitting around holding hands singing 'Kumbaya.'

I joke that every time I'm in the playoffs, it feels like I'm in the Super Bowl.

When you come to a club like Hibs not everyone can handle it, there's pressure in every single game to get results.