Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be the one to put the Lakers over the top

There is no doubt that when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is on, good things are usually happening for the Los Angeles Lakers. In his four years with the team, we have seen his role change from being that of a scorer to that of a sharpshooter.

KCP no longer needs to score the most points per game and has taken on a very important role for the Lakers. I think all Laker fans can agree that there is no doubt that he is always hustling.

Sure, he has had his struggles this season a bit. It’s been one of those seasons thus far with the injuries and all. However, on Thursday against the Miami Heat, a game in which the Lakers were without LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Kyle Kuzma, we saw KCP go off.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s big night could mean big things for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Now I know what some are going to say. Many will say that it is about time that he went off like that or that ‘of course he is scoring with three main players missing,’ but I disagree. I saw a KCP that could be what helps the Lakers over the hump, especially when they all come together again.

He was on fire, firing from all areas of the court as he led the way with a season-high 28 points on 55% shooting from the floor. Yes, there is no doubt that when he is on, he can be quite deadly.

That Kentavious Caldwell-Pope we saw is what we need especially as the season goes on. Now, he may not score quite as much but that is not really the important point. The Lakers just need him to be consistent with his shooting, especially from three. If he can resume the type of play he had in the finals of last year then it could be what puts them over the edge. He will be looked at as another deadly Lakers weapon.

Now with the addition of Drummond, and the play of LeBron, Davis, Morris, Kuzma, and Harrell, the Lakers have the bulk of their scoring in place. However, KCP will be needed when it comes time for him to put a bullet in a team or to add another nail to their coffin. Once all these elements come together and he resumes the role in which he was signed, it will fit perfectly.

Make no mistake, Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss, and Frank Vogel know how important of a piece KCP is to their puzzle and success. It’s probably one of the main reasons why they didn’t make the mistake of trading him away.

After all, he is a well-seasoned player and has championship experience and performed wonderfully in the finals last season. You don’t trade a player like that away just because you are going through a hard patch.