Magic count on ‘Playoff KCP’ to see when it is most important

When the magic signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last summer, it was because it was a high-ranking shooter.

And it was difficult to accuse Team President Jeff Weltman.

Caldwell-Pope shot 40% or better from the 3-point area in three of his past four seasons (the outlier 39%) and was part of two championship teams in the Nuggets (2023) and Lakers (’20).

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However, his shootout lasted longer than expected in Orlando.

In the first 33 games against Brooklyn, Caldwell-Pope shot 28.9% with 4.8 attempts from 3.

Since then he has turned things over, and all it needed was a game.

On January 1st in Detroit, where he spent the first four years of his career, Caldwell-Pope 4 of 6 shot.

He just quickly returned to shape and shot 40.1% against the Hawks in 4 trials of 3 in 42 games in the games on Tuesday evening.

The risk of Caldwell-Popes accuracy has distributed the soil for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, which thrive by attacking the dribble to create their own shots.

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And whether the magic in the first round in No. 2 Boston or the winner of No. 9-10 Play-in game between Chicago and Miami takes place, Caldwell-Pope has to be a threat after the season to give them a chance.

“KCP said he lives for these moments,” said Wendell Carter Jr. before the magic organized the Hawks. “He told us that we will see the ‘Playoff KCP’, so we all know what it looks like.

“We have all seen what he has done in the past few years.”

When Caldwell-Pope won his first championship at the Lakers, he shot 37.8%in 5.7 trials of 3 in 21 playoff games.

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Three years later, when he won his second ring with the Nuggets, his 3-point accuracy improved to 38%in 20 games in 20 games.

The magic only had two players who appeared in at least six of their seven games in the first round against the Cavaliers who shoot over 32% from a distance: Banchero (40% with 5.7 attempts) and striker Jonathan Isaac (37% at 3.9).

Here Caldwell-Pope can be a differentiator that the magic should drive in the playoffs for a second season in a row.

“He will help us so much at both ends of the court,” said Carter. “His ability to produce the shot and the way he can defend himself, and he will not only go for us with his voice, but also with a good example, help us to make this jump.”

Jason Beed can be reached at [email protected]