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Orlando Magic still need Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s shooting
Nov 6, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images|Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic got one of the most celebrated acquisitions this summer in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. His three-year, $66-million deal seemed like an overpay, but the Magic were getting one of the best 3-and-D players in the league. They were getting someone with championship experience to boost a young team.
It seemed like a perfect match. Caldwell-Pope would add to the team’s elite defense and give them the spacing.
Through nine games, part of that plan has worked perfectly. Caldwell-Pope has delivered defensively. But the shooting has been noticeably absent.
Caldwell-Pope has started the season shooting 24.4 percent from three on 4.6 attempts per game. He is not even shooting a league replacement level. The Magic need that to turn around, to say the least. The team’s rock-bottom shooting is at least partly a product by this unusual downturn in shooting.
Orlando has to hope Wednesday is a sign of Caldwell-Pope rounding the corner.
Caldwell-Pope scored a season-high 13 points, making 5 of 10 shots and two of his five 3-point shots. Those threes came during the team’s big second-quarter run. But the confidence was clear. The Magic started to run him as the screener in pick and rolls more trying to take advantage of their size and ball-handling.
Pulling out the corn rows seemed to work for Caldwell-Pope. The question will be whether he can do it consistently and whether this is truly him turning a corner.
Of course, it is worth noting this is not the only time Caldwell-Pope has gone through a poor shooting stretch. Last January, Caldwell-Pope went 25.6 percent during an eight-game stretch. The Magic have played nine games and Caldwell-Pope has struggled.
Could he be due to turn things around?
It is hard to imagine Caldwell-Pope, a career 36.7 percent shooter who has shot 40 percent or better from three in three of the last four years (and shot 39.0 percent in the other) will shoot this poorly the rest of the season.
Still, the Magic are waiting for Caldwell-Pope to turn things around. They have the second-worst offensive rating in the league and the worst 3-point field goal percentage as a team at 30.3 percent. Caldwell-Pope’s struggles are a big part of that.
Orlando needs Caldwell-Pope to turn things around. It is not a matter of how much they signed him for, he is that important to the team and their offensive attack.
The whole team has been in a bad spot offensively. Everyone is missing shots. And the Magic have been getting their share of open shots. Like with Caldwell-Pope, it is hard to imagine the whole team will keep missing. A return home to the Kia Center should help matters too.
But the Magic will need Caldwell-Pope to hit shots. His spacing is starting to wear off. He needs to make shots just to get defenses to loosen up and stick with him.
Making shots remains the biggest impediment for the team during this five-game losing streak. Even if the Magic are getting good looks.
Turning things around starts with the team’s best shooters. Shooters like Caldwell-Pope.
Perhaps Wednesday was a sign they turned things around.
The Nuggets did it (Nikola Jokic did it), the Warriors did it (the death lineup and defensive efficiency), the Celtics did it (switching one through five, pre-switching, neutralizing open lanes), and now the Thunder are doing it.
It’s been described as pestering, smothering, swarming, but I‘d like to put “car wash” into consideration. That’s the set up awaiting opponents. The car (the opposing team) gets locked into those self-driving tracks and the gauntlet begins. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso appear as those cylindrical spinning brushes, stripping the ball outright and early or else funnelling players into the next wave of guards. Pressure continues from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams but it becomes more targeted, thinking of the jet streams of water now being directed at the car from every angle — and those spinning whirlwinds of Caruso and Dort haven’t relented.
If, somehow, an opposing player finds a sliver of daylight in the so-small-its-micro-ball switching scheme the Thunder are playing, if they manage to get out from the many hands reaching in, pressuring, forcing turnovers, then they will meet Chet Holmgren at the rim. Holmgren is like those long, slapping shammy tentacles that come down on the hood, sides and roof of the car from every angle, though his reach and hands are much more expertly deployed. The Thunder have a defensive rating of 96.5 (for context the Warriors, at second best, seem light-years behind with a respectable 103.8) and lead the league in steals (13.4) and blocks (7.3). The cars are coming out spotless, utterly worked.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Watch Defense wins games? Here’s an insightful breakdown of OKC’s defensive schemes. (Thinking Basketball)
Must Read The Influence of Sedona Price: Take a fascinating look at the domino effect of NIL on college athletics, women’s sports, social media and athlete health. (The New Yorker)
Analysis Orlando Magic’s shooting woes hinder team performance in early season games, prompting strategic adjustments for better results. (Orlando Magic Daily)
Preview The New Orleans Pelicans take on the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center at 7pm ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Impact of Miles Bridges’ Injury
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) holds his knee after a collision at the basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center.|Photo by Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
With only three games on Thursday, there was ample time to delve into the latest injury news and its implications for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Their Impact
Miles Bridges’ knee injury is a significant concern. After initially returning to play, he’s now sidelined for at least two weeks with a knee bone bruise. This situation opens up opportunities for other players. With Nick Richards and Mark Williams also out, Taj Gibson steps in as the starting centre. Grant Williams, who has been getting centre minutes, will likely shift to playing more at the four, alongside Tidjane Salaun. This reshuffling could push Williams into a more prominent role, making him a potential pick-up in 12-team leagues.
The absence of Bridges also means increased usage for Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball. Tre Mann is another player to watch; holding onto him could be beneficial as the team adjusts to these injuries.
Ja Morant’s hamstring injury is another blow, with expectations of a two-week absence. Memphis’ injury reporting is notoriously vague, so fantasy managers should prepare for an extended period without Morant. Tyrese Maxey’s situation is similar, with the Sixers indicating a reevaluation in a week, but realistically, it could be longer. Kyle Lowry is a suitable replacement in the meantime.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
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