3 Lakers who need to step it up in the second half of the season

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with teammates Wesley Matthews #9 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 during the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Caldwell-Pope was a key role player last year when the Lakers won it all. He sparked the team with his hot 3-point shooting and was an important part of what was arguably the NBA’s most lethal fast break.

He got off to an outstanding start this season, but like the team in general, he has become frigid over the last several weeks.

Caldwell-Pope shot just 32.1 percent from downtown in February after making a blistering 47.8 percent of his 3-pointers in his first 17 games.

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In the three games played in March so far, he’s been even worse at 22.2 percent. That’s not just cold, that’s Reykjavik, Iceland-cold.

Since he is a fixture in the starting lineup, Caldwell-Pope is relied upon to space the floor and strike from the outside for the Lakers’ offense to hum.

Well, the team’s offense hasn’t been humming. L.A. scored 110.4 points per game in February, which was just 20th in the league, and keep in mind that that stat includes several overtime periods. Not acceptable at all.

If Caldwell-Pope finds his missing J, it would go a long way in helping the Lakers become an elite offensive team like they were last year.

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