Getty Images LeBron James #23 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been consistent when it comes to putting on strong performances and picking up wins, as they boast a 10-2 record so far in the young season. Though fans have been particularly proud of the Lake Show lately, they haven’t been too happy with Lakers reserve guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Caldwell-Pope has been off his game this season as he is averaging just 6.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. The 26-year-old is shooting just 39 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from the three. Laker Nation isn’t too happy with those numbers and has been taking to social media pushing for the team to trade KCP.
For at least one night, Caldwell-Pope quieted his doubters after he knocked down a few crucial shots to help the Lakers defeat the Sacramento Kings 99-97. After the win, teammate and Lakers star LeBron James voiced his opinion on the criticism Caldwell-Pope has received.
As Ben Golliver of the Washington Post revealed, James strong defended his teammate.
“I could give a damn about what people say outside the locker room and outside our practices, because it really doesn’t matter, it’s just outside noise. I’ve heard it my whole career so I don’t really pay attention to it and I don’t think anyone should pay attention to it.”
Lakers’ LeBron James on criticism of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: “I could give a d—- about what people say outside the locker room… I don’t think anyone should pay attention to it, but it’s dope that Dwight [Howard] stuck up for him.”
James continued with some advice that he gave the guard.
“We told him, listen we don’t care if you miss shots, but we want you to take them with confidence. You’re going to get great looks,” James said. “Don’t let the game be dictated by if you make or miss shots. There are other ways you can affect the game.”
Dwight Howard to KCP’s Defense
Lakers center Dwight Howard was not happy about the negative comments fans were spewing out. The eight-time NBA All-Star came to KCP’s defense on social media and called for the fanbase to end the KCP drama, stating that “he is a Laker. And we don’t do that. Let’s uplift each other. Cmon bro. We all a family.”
After the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 120-94 on Wednesday night, Howard explained to reporters why he defended his teammate.
Per SB Nation’s Harrison Faigen, Howard said:
“Because we’re a family. We talk about Lakers Nation, we talk about winning a championship, and we need everybody on the same page. KCP is my teammate. He’s my brother. And he’s a part of this family. We don’t talk bad about nobody that’s on our team. We’re gonna need KCP to win this championship, and I don’t think it’s right for anybody to wish any type of harm or any type of danger on my teammate. Of course there’s going to be nights where guys miss shots, miss layups but we need to set a standard. If we want to win a championship, everybody has got to have that same championship mentality. We’ve got to be on the same page. If we’re on the same page as an organization and as a fanbase and as a team, there’s nothing that we can’t accomplish.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Silences Critics
Caldwell-Pope took silencing the haters into his own hands during Friday’s victory over the Sacramento Kings at home. The guard made crucial shots that helped the Lakers pick up the victory. He scored 16 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter when his team needed them most.
It was KCP’s clutch three-pointer that broke a 90-all tie with just over three minutes on the clock. Fans may not be happy with how he’s been playing lately but he definitely came up clutch last night. Without Caldwell-Pope, who knows if the Lakers would have been able to come out on top.
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