If you say which team has the most perfect reinforcement operation during the offseason, then the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, Pelinka, will definitely be on the list! In addition to letting go of champion Howard, the former best friend of Kobe Bryant was a good fish in the position of the Lakers general manager. First, he helped the Lakers sign the free market two popular chickens Schroder and Harrell. The former only paid Dan. Ni Green and the cost of a first-round signing were included under his command. Free agent Harrell only reached a two-year $19 million contract with the Purple Golden Corps; in addition, there was the addition of Gasol. Kuzma's contract extension can be called Pelinka's brilliant pen. However, don't forget that Popper's early renewal of the contract with 39 million in three years can be regarded as "sounding fortune"!
Why do you say that? Caldwell Pope, who is only 27 years old, is in his prime as a shooting guard. In addition to his excellent performance in the Lakers last year, Pope was once considered to be one of the strongest role players in the playoffs. Pope chose to jump out of the contract and enter the free market. A contract that is much larger than $39 million in three years is not uncommon.
The player who was dubbed the "Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Young" with Danny Green last season is undoubtedly one of the most important puzzles in the Lakers' championship journey. In the game against the Rockets, Pope once restricted Harden to a field goal percentage of no more than 40%; in the Western Conference Finals, when facing star guard Jamal Murray's impact, Pope was still the third most efficient Lakers perimeter. After breaking up, even in the final MVP selection, Pope was hailed as the third most important player on the Lakers.
In the just-concluded strong dialogue between the Lakers and the Bucks, Caldwell Pope once again proved that Pelinka renewed himself with a 3-year "cheap contract" of $39 million What a right thing. Strong1strong, who played 27 minutes and 19 seconds in the game, once overshadowed the stars of Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and other stars in this game. He scored 7 of 10 three-pointers and scored 23 points and 3 rebounds. In the Lakers, he is second only to James' scorer. Facing the Bucks with excellent inside defense, it was Pope's seven three-pointers that made Antetokounmpo and others exhausted, and only then did James and Davis hit the inside again and again.
There is no doubt that from the impact of this game, Pope is no less inferior to the Warriors' Klay Thompson in the Lakers. Both have top-level single defense capabilities on the perimeter, and the offensive end can continuously hit three-pointers to help the team open up space and create breakthrough opportunities for star players such as James and Curry.
Of course, there is still a big gap from the peak Tom Popper, but so far, the sharpshooter has played the best season of his Lakers career. He averaged 10.1 points, 2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.9 minutes per game. The three shooting percentages were amazing 52.7%, 53.7% and 91.7%! If this efficiency continues, Pope will enter the "180 club" where top shooters gather after the season!
This reminds me of an interesting question raised by the reporter when interviewing Anthony Davis. When asked who in the team made the most punctual three-pointers, "Brow Eyebrows" humbly put himself on Fourth place, and categorically answered that Pope was the first. Strong1strong, the Lakers' Clay, used this season's performance to prove this point. During the journey of defending the championship with James led the team, Pope reminded me of Ray Allen during the Heat era, who was so decisive and efficient.
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