After an off-season in which it seemed like the N.B.A. never took a break, The New York Times talked to a few of the league’s stars about some of the other important things in their lives — anything but basketball.

Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum is a seven-year veteran and one half of perhaps the league’s most underrated backcourt.

PORTLAND, Ore. — C.J. McCollum, the Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard, studies his performances, probing for areas where he can improve.

“I hear the awkward pauses,” he said. “I hear it when I breathe too hard.”

McCollum, 28, is always breaking down tape — of his weekly podcast. He takes his craft seriously. He has a studio in his home office and portable equipment that he brings with him on the road to record episodes of “Pull Up with C.J. McCollum,” which he co-hosts with Jordan Schultz, an analyst for ESPN.