By TIM DAVID HARVEY
Our series feature #RoleReversal flips the switched up script and gives it up for the unsung role players of this great game. After all you don't have to be a superstar to become a champion.
Vegas baby! That's how it's rolling in the Hollywood City of Angeles for the Los Angeles Lakers right now. You know what they did this Summer League. And now this fall like a gift from the Basketball God's, all hoop heads and purple purists looking for gold are following the Ball boy like he was the second coming in this post-Kobe, young Showtime generation. The 'Lonzo Angeles Lakers' look to be the real deal. And the lost angels are pinning this kid as a Christ like figure of the hardwood so much so that if he doesn't measure up they'll likely nail him to a cross. That's what number 2, Lonzo Ball has to bear.
But even Jesus had his disciples. And in this storied hoop heaven that's not for a Celtic. The Chick appealing franchise that found greats like Mikan, Wilt, West, Baylor, Goodrich, Magic, Kareem, Big Game, Shaq and Kobe is more than just Ball too. Look at all those he can pass the Spalding too. Top ten picks like Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, but not the exiled D'Angelo Russell who looks to give the Lakers no sleep as he loads up the ice in his veins for their set-to with Brooklyn. Late round steals like Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac and even two this rookie season in the form of the surprise of Kyle Kumza and the defensive doberman Josh Hart. The youthful revolution televised Lakers have even more heart in their hardwood collection of veterans like big-man with the big-shot Brook Lopez. But even this seven footer wasn't the Lake Show's biggest signing this Summer.
Praise to the lord always comes from those holding court in a church or cathedral. And it doesn't get much higher than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope when the holy ghost is running through this one. The Young Pope K.C.P. is made for Hollywood like Jude Law. And this young veteran backcourt brother of Ball is somewhere between a role player and an All-Star when he scores at will from downtown and on the perimeter fence opposing end makes sure the opposition doesn't do so, so easily. The number one former eighth pick of the draft is a wonder to behold and like a spark plug off the bench just on the court from the start, K.P. is nuts when he's worth his salt, making you sit up from breaking your shells courtside.
Once Pope gets mobile like bulletproof glass there's no stopping him. K.C.P. has plenty in the chamber when it comes to his lethal three when he's open. And when it's open range on the open court, this speedy shooting guard will leave you in the polished parquet dust as he races down the court like a dragster, before lifting his back wheels for a smooth chicane and hand changing lay-up to the cup. That's what happens when you come off the Motor City assembly line like a Piston that this former Ford Detroit star did and just fill it up from green means GO! He found his place next to Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, but now with these kids it's time to take all that learned and mentor and teach like a bad boy too.
Kentavious clutch enthusiasm is contagious. Caldwell could probably well get a pretty good smile from Larry David sitting Jack Nicholson courtside. The man that came to this seasons Halloween's game dressed as Urkle is a basketball X and O geek who knows defence matters like his new family does. And just aswell as this microwave can score he can go nuclear on D too. He's the type of dry-erase dream that's a nightmare for the man he's marking. So purist passionate about his coached craft that he slaps the hardwood floor with both hands in anticipation for the other teams best player coming down the floor (which tonight may be the former number one for the Los Angeles Lakers). It's the kind of play that has fans rubbing their hands together with glee. And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the kind of hoop heaven sent player from the Basketball Gods that no longer has this city putting their hands together to the sky every night.
