PHILADELPHIA -- Every successful team in the NBA needs a guy who's going to do all of the little things to help a team win. That guy who's going to step in, play hard, provide production on both ends, and be reliable on a nightly basis across the 82-game grind.
The Philadelphia 76ers have a number of those players, but 14-year veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been terrific for this group off the bench as they move forward into the season. After pouring in 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds in Thursday's 123-112 win over the Toronto Raptors, he's now shooting 47.4% from deep and has been a calming presence for this group whenever they need it, especially for young VJ Edgecombe.
"I learn a lot," Edgecombe said of KCP. "Like I said, we
just have a bunch of just day-to-day conversations. One thing with him, he's level-headed, and I think that's very important."
Caldwell-Pope has been a starter for the majority of his career, but he is obviously in a bench role for the Sixers in this instance. He sat down with Sixers Wire to explain how he's thrived in that role, and Edgecombe has been impressed with what he's been able to do in this situation.
"Obviously, as a vet, some games, he might not play till the second quarter," Edgecombe explained. "Some games he come in in the first quarter. Obviously, the inconsistency of a certain time you come in the game, it can kind of mess with you. Especially, when you're used to playing first quarter and something like that. But I’ll say he's just someone that's just been so level-headed, someone that don't trip about much. He’s always just trying to keep it positive. Somebody that’s always thinking bigger picture."
Thinking bigger picture is a big deal for the Sixers. Sure, they are winning right now as they are off to an impressive 10-3 start, but Philadelphia has its eyes on winning a championship for the first time since 1983. This is a roster that has bigger plans and Caldwell-Pope, a winner of two titles of his own, has helped set the tone on an every day basis.
"His defense, his communication, and his availability," added Tyrese Maxey. "He's been there every single night. He’s came off the bench. He started, I think, a couple times, but he's been great for us."
As the Sixers move forward, they will continue to rely on Caldwell-Pope to be a key piece to this group's success and push everybody forward. The second unit will play a big factor in whatever the Sixers do in this current season and it certainly helps to have such an productive player to rely on.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: VJ Edgecombe, Sixers give praise to veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
