Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from final preseason loss to Golden State Warriors

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope actually shoots well when he knows he has the green light. Right?

It is really difficult at times to get real analysis on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Why? Because his game is so wildly inconsistent, it wears on the Lakers fanbase. This game basically summed up KCP’s career in a Lakers uniform. He plays lights out for a few minutes and then subpar the next.

With the entire frontcourt sitting, the Lakers had to have shooters knock down shots. In the first quarter, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was on fire as he led the team in scoring with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first quarter.

If someone just looks at the final score, they would be shocked that the Lakers had a double-digit lead in the first frame. Thanks to KCP’s hot shooting, the team knocked down five 3-point shots. Multiple turnovers along with Stephen Curry waking up cut into the Lakers lead.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored his preseason best 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field, including three shots from downtown. He seemed to build some confidence on Wednesday and it transcended over to Friday’s game.

Here’s what frustrates Lakers fans so much about Caldwell-Pope. Even though the statistics look good in the box scores, he was still inconsistent. After his hot start, he finished an anemic 3-of-9 from the field. Plus, he did little to stop Steph Curry or D’Angelo Russell.

His four turnovers led the team and were costly when the Warriors made their move at the end of the first quarter into the second. The Lakers made things close at the end but could never make it over the hump.

Caldwell-Pope’s performance this preseason was a carbon copy of last year. His jumper was non-existent until the last game of the preseason when the Lakers rested their starters. This preseason was no different as his inconsistencies continued while struggling at times from the field.

The Lakers need KCP to be a 3-and-D player. Last year, his consistencies with his shot and floor game were one of many reasons the Lakers got off to a slow start last season. Back then they had no choice but to be patient.

Those days are over.

Some NBA players are effective on less talented teams and struggle on great teams. Caldwell-Pope might be that guy in this case. Remember, he played great last year when the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs.

Like last year, the Lakers rolled out the South Bay Lakers for the most part in this game. Even the announcers were cracking jokes calling him “Kobe” because he was firing up shots.

Frank Vogel has a decision to make. Can he trust KCP to get it together this season?