Houston Rockets Rumors: How Kentavious Caldwell-Pope fits in Houston
By T.A. Mock
A stopper on the wings
Another way that KCP has carved out what will be a long career in the NBA is he plays with relentless effort on the defensive side of the ball. It is, or was at least, pretty rare that guys come in the league and know they’ll thrive on that side of the ball as one of their main calling cards.
That is doubly true for a guy that was selected in the top 10 of his draft. I’m sure KCP came into the league thinking he was going to be the next big thing and become a star in the league. I’m sure he did not think he’d be role player. But, that’s exactly what he’s done, he’s become a very good, 3-and-D role player.
We’ve already broken down the three part but the defensive part of that equation could be even better. He’s never been known as an all-time stopper and he’s never and likely will never be in the conversation for defensive player of that year.
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That being said, KCP consistently draws keep matchups on the defensive end of the floor. Case and point, the picture above. KCP has draw defensive assignments like Russell Westbrook and Steph Curry and even bigger guys like Paul George and Kevin Durant.
KCP would fit in perfectly with what the Houston Rockets like to do on the defensive of the court. The Rockets love to switch and he has the size and length to guard 3-4 positions. He could allow the Rockets to trot out their best five no matter the situation and not have to worry about defensive assignments.
KCP doesn’t pop off the stat sheet with conventional defensive counting stats and he likely never well. Far inferior defenders have racked up those counting stats so, a lot of stock shouldn’t necessarily be put on those. KCP is a great defender who would upgrade the Houston Rockets defense.