The Blazers have been one of the NBA’s most uplifting stories. As we look toward the post-All-Star stretch of the season when their playoff fate will be decided, we take a look back at how we got here and the most important moments of the season to this point.

1) CJ is OK

Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum put the league on notice by scoring 37 points in an opening night victory over the Pelicans.

In that game he showed Blazers fans and the league a taste of what was to come.

He made Ish Smith look comical by turning him into an instant vine with his bag of tricks and bamboozled even the best defensive efforts by hitting shots most players wouldn’t think of attempting.

McCollum’s opening night set a tone for the Blazers season, foreshadowing that teams could not only focus on Damian Lillard and expect a successful night. They’d have to deal with him, too, and most teams haven’t done well in slowing down his breakout season.