Los Angeles Lakers: Another tough start for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

For the third consecutive season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope suffers a slow start as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Here we go again, Los Angeles Lakers fans. Another Lakers season, another year in purple and gold for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, another struggling beginning for the shooting guard.

It is the third consecutive year that the 26-year-old signed for the Lakers. But, every year to a lower and lower salary because of his poor production.

Ever since he signed with the Lakers the first time in 2017, KCP experiences a major struggle in the first part of the season, failing his shooting duties and losing his minutes, while being reborn in the second half when it mostly does not account anymore.

It happened in 2017-18 when he started shooting 36.1 percent from three in the first half of the season but elevated to a great 42.3 percent after the All-Star break.

It happened last year when he struggled through most of the season, losing his starting job until he exploded in the last 16 games averaging 19.9 points per game.

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So far it looks like this year will make no exception. Caldwell-Pope went scoreless in the season opener missing all his three attempts in 27 minutes. He scored just one point in the following game, shooting 0-for-6 from the field, 0-for-2 from three and 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

Until now, head coach Frank Vogel is trusting him despite the shortcomings, but a good performance by Troy Daniels is already undermining Caldwell-Pope’s role off the bench. The Lakers have no shortage of shooters this year, then, if someone does not contribute at the level requested, the next one is ready to take his minutes and help the team.

At least on the defensive end, his contribution remains steady, but in the season opener, he had the thankless task of defending NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who was not slowed down by the former Piston.

Unfortunately, we are already used to Caldwell-Pope’s weak starts and this year a late rebirth would be welcomed anyway, as the team is hoping to make a playoff push. Certainly, it will be much better for the Lakers and KCP himself if he fixes his shooting woes as soon as possible.

He is proved to be an important and major contributor to the cause when locked in and this season the Lakers will need every piece to make his correct moves and be impeccable in order to reach the ultimate prize.