With nothing better to do, McCollum in for 3-point contest

Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard C.J. McCollum confirmed Saturday an earlier report that he'll compete in this year's 3-point contest at All-Star weekend.

"I will," McCollum told Ananth Pandian of CBS.

It sounds, however, like it's backup plan after more desirable options fell through.

"At first, I was against it," McCollum said.

"I didn't really want to go but seeing as how I performed last year, and my girl can't go on vacation because she has a test on Monday, it kind of changed my view on it. I wanted to go on vacation ... I would rather be on vacation. But I can't be on vacation since my girl's got a test. So I figured I could go for 48 hours and get out there and still get some rest and relaxation."

The NBA's reigning Most Improved Player had a rough outing at last year's 3-point shootout in Toronto, getting knocked out in the first round. To be fair, he was a late addition after Chris Bosh was ruled out with what became his career-threatening blood clot condition.

"I'll take it seriously this year,'' McCollum said. "Last year, I was a throw-in. They called me the night before, so I tried to get to a gym and did a round. This year I will prepare more and give it a shot."