CJ McCollum's message to those who think Warriors are bad for the NBA

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In 2016, the Warriors beat the Blazers in five games in the Western Conference Semifinals.

In 2017, the Warriors swept the Blazers in the opening round.

"I feel like I've played them like 30 times the last two years," Portland guard C.J. McCollum told HoopsHype's Alex Kennedy. "They're very good. They're a very good team. They play well together, their well coached, they share the ball. But most importantly, all the players know their roles -- if you can't shoot, you don't shoot. If you can't dribble, you don't dribble."

Golden State nearly went 16-0 in the playoffs, but dropped Game 4 of the NBA finals to the Cavs.

The Warriors are considered one of the best teams of all-time and are built for sustained success.

So how do you beat them?

"I think that's a very good question ... I think one of the ways to beat them is to control the 3-point line, control them in transition as much as you can," McCollum explained. "Prevent second chance opportunities because when they get second chance opportunities, they knock down threes. When they get out in transition, it's a dunk or a 3-pointer.

"You've seen how deadly they can be with the addition of Kevin Durant ... he makes everyone better ... they're a very, very tough team to beat. But, as we've seen, they are beatable."

Are the Warriors bad for the NBA?

"No, no. I think that's garbage, man," McCollum declared. "They've done things the right way. It's not like they cheated. They drafted well. They developed players within ... and then they bring in an outsider in KD, who was a free agent and had every right to sign with whatever team he wanted. So, I don't understand how that's considered bad for the game.

"If anything, other teams need to get better. Other teams need to figure out ways to execute trades, to execute in the draft, develop players internally and try to put something together."

The Blazers are hoping to get better this Thursday, when they are slated to make three picks in the first round of the draft -- No. 15, No. 20 and No. 26.

Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders and a Web Producer at NBC Sports Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller

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