CJ McCollum doesn't believe the Timberwolves are the toughest matchup in the West

"There's not a lot of teams that want to play a healthy version of the New Orleans Pelicans, including them."

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the best record in the Western Conference but according to New Orleans Pelicans guard C.J. McCollum, they're not the best team they've matched up with this season.

"I think Minnesota is a great team," McCollum said in an interview with ESPN's Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins during the NBA's All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. "I think they play extremely well. Great homecourt advantage, a lot of young talent. But in terms of matchups for us, I don't feel like they've been the toughest team to match up against."

CJ McCollum says the Timberwolves are not the best team they've faced this season

"There's not a lot of teams that want to a play a healthy version of the New Orleans Pelicans, including them." pic.twitter.com/tg0Vr8DCJi

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 16, 2024

While the Timberwolves scored a 122-101 victory over the Pelicans in Minneapolis on Nov. 8 and a 121-120 win in New Orleans on Nov. 18, neither he nor Zion Williamson played in the first two meetings as McCollum was recovering from a collapsed lung and Williamson was rested.

McCollum's claims were validated when both players were in the lineup in the last two meetings with Minnesota, defeating the Wolves 121-107 in New Orleans on Dec. 11 and 117-106 in Minneapolis on Jan. 3.

CJ McCollum / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

McCollum elaborated by saying the Pelicans have had more trouble with some of the other top teams in the West including the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers and that the Pelicans have been their own worst matchup due to their failure to execute throughout a game and injuries that have plagued them throughout the season.

"I think they're a very good team," McCollum continued. I think a lot of teams respect them. I think a lot of teams respect them. A lot of players respect them and what they've been able to do from a body of work standpoint, but if I'm just answering your question...I'm saying there's not a lot of teams that want to play a healthy version of the New Orleans Pelicans."

At 33-22, the Pelicans are currently in sixth place in the Western Conference and have won seven of their past eight games heading into the All-Star Break. But New Orleans is just a game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks for the final automatic playoff berth in the Western Conference, and if the Pelicans or Wolves fall from their current standings, it could lead to an intriguing first-round playoff matchup this spring.

It should lead to similar comments in the upcoming season as players and bloggers alike will try to seek out which teams are fraudulent. With a schedule that includes their next seven games and 14 of their next 21 games at home, the Timberwolves will have a chance to prove those doubters wrong and claim the top spot in the West.