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Los Angeles Lakers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leadership standing out

By Kenneth Teape

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons shoots the ball during a game against the New York Knicks on March 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #5 of the Detroit Pistons shoots the ball during a game against the New York Knicks on March 27, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has his leadership praised by head coach Luke Walton.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the 2017-18 season. Tonight marks the first preseason game, as the team has been prepping this week at their new facility for training camp.

There has been a lot of positives coming out of the Lakers’ camp this week. Players have a lot of confidence with a new season upon them as they fight for a rotation spot. Head coach Luke Walton has been focusing on defense, arguably the biggest issue that faced the Lakers last season.

The Lakers were atrocious on the defensive end of the court during the 2016-17 season. They ranked near the bottom in every defensive stat, allowing the highest opponent’s shooting percentage in the NBA.

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The Lakers knew it was an area of concern coming into the season and upgraded as much as they could. Brook Lopez will help strengthen the middle as a rim protector. Where the Laker should see the biggest improvement will be at shooting guard.

Gone are offensive-minded players such as Nick Young, D’Angelo Russell and Lou Williams. In steps defensive-minded shooting guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Caldwell-Pope is lauded for his defense and three-point shooting; two areas the Lakers lacked in last season. His defense will be especially appreciated this season, as he will help take pressure off of Lonzo Ball on that end of the court.

Walton will rely heavily on Caldwell-Pope, one of the more experienced players that will be a part of the Lakers rotation. As an experienced player, the Lakers will also rely on Caldwell-Pope for some leadership, something Walton has said has been incredible thus far.

The Lakers will be relying on Caldwell-Pope on a nightly basis to try and slow down the opponent’s best scorer. With so many elite teams in the Western Conference, Caldwell-Pope will be busy most nights.

Caldwell-Pope is setting an example for his younger teammates to follow, and it is something they should take note of. Caldwell-Pope looked like he was going to strike it rich this offseason as a restricted free agent. That big offer sheet never came.

Eventually, the Detroit Pistons renounced the rights to Caldwell-Pope, making him an unrestricted free agent. It is something the Lakers took full advantage of, as they offered him a one-year balloon contract worth $18 million.

Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History

On a one-year deal, Caldwell-Pope will be looking to have a strong season and land a big contract next offseason. The Lakers give him an opportunity to do that, and he has looked like a man on a mission thus far in training camp.

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