Twitter thread: Is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope actually a streaky shooter?
By Duncan Smith
The common belief among Detroit Pistons fans is that Kentavious Calwell-Pope is a streaky shooter. Is that true, or is there more than meets the eye to this story?
As has become my common practice lately, this afternoon I tweeted out a breakdown thread on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and his so-called “streaky” tendencies for the Detroit Pistons. It’s my belief that KCP is not in fact a streaky shooter, and I laid out the facts in support.
If you guys enjoy this method of presentation, please let me know and I’ll bring over more of my Twitter threads. If you don’t, let me know that as well and I’ll let Twitter be Twitter.
Without further ado, I present the following.
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However, point totals don't tell you the whole story. It's not so much that KCP is streaky, it's more that he's an underutilized shooter.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
He's also taken 11 shots or less 24 times out of the 54 games he's played. Not a recipe for success with one of your most productive scorers
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
In these 24 games in which KCP has shot the ball 11 times or fewer, the Pistons have gone 11-13.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
What's impressive is that KCP is scoring 1.23 points PER SHOT ATTEMPT in games where he takes 12 shots or more.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
In those 15 games, the Pistons are 8-7 and KCP is a cumulative +53.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
There are spots where people lose the plot when it comes to KCP. The myth of "streakiness" is a big one. Another one is raw FG%.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
He hits 37.7% of his 3s (that number was over 40% before he hurt his shoulder). 37.7% from 3 has the same expected value as 56.5% from 2.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017
Next: How costly are Andre Drummond's free throw issues?
Cliffs: KCP is a volume scorer, not a streaky shooter. He's underutilized in the offense and should be the Pistons' top scoring option.
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) February 28, 2017