Can Detroit Pistons Kentavious Caldwell-Pope break out?
Can Detroit Pistons Kentavious Caldwell-Pope break out in year three?
Caldwell-Pope’s stats took a significant increase last season. He went from averaging 5.9 points on 44.7 percent shooting (31.9 percent from three) his rookie season, to 12.7 points on 44.9 percent shooting (34.5 from three).
His role on the team also increased going from a bench player to a full-time starter playing about 12 extra minutes per game.
Was his uptick in production a direct result of his playing time? To some degree yes, but his PER 36 minutes numbers were much better in his second year going from 10.7 to 14.5 points.
More importantly, Caldwell-Pope’s game showed progress going from a spot up and two-dribble pull up shooter, to a player that began creating offense for himself (though inconsistently), and player who could get to the rim.
Prior to last season, I thought Caldwell-Pope would take a huge leap. He had an impressive Summer League showing in Orlando leading the league in points at 24 per game. He was also due for a increased role for the Pistons as their projected starting shooting guard.
Had it not been for an injury in preseason where he sprained his left knee, I think Caldwell-Pope’s effectiveness would have carried over to the regular season. The injury, though not major, started his season off badly.
Other than a bad start to the season, Caldwell-Pope proved to be a very inconsistent player last season, but not necessarily inconsistent from game to game, but from home game to away game.
At home he averaged 15.5 points, 44.5 percent from the floor, and 39.5 percent from three. But on the road, he was much less successful dipping in all three areas statistically at 9.9 points, 35 percent from the floor, and 28 percent from three.
Caldwell-Pope’s home/away splits are odd. Stan Van Gundy didn’t even know what to make of it. But his jump from rookie year to his second was still encouraging–particularly the numbers he put up at home.
Given the progress he made statistically last season, and the elements he was able to add to his game, there’s no reason to think that Caldwell-Pope won’t make another jump in play next season as he continues to perfect his craft.
But he has to put in the work to see another jump in production, something he’s said he’s going to do.
Who knows how much of a jump he’ll make. It was seven points in scoring from year one to year two. Expecting another jump like that would be really optimistic, but not impossible.
The Pistons would likely settle for the 15.5 points per game he averaged at home last season.
Next: Pistons Fans: Are You Fueling Your Hope with Hype?