Chris Copeland entered the 2014-15 season with a career 3-point field goal percentage of .421. Last season, his true shooting percentage – taking into account 2-pointers, 3-pointers and free-throws, was .621. While Copeland only appeared in 41 games, to put that figure into perspective, Atlanta’s Kyle Korver led the NBA with a TS% of .654 last season.
Things are dramatically different this season for Indy’s beloved “Cope,” as he took on a new role for the Pacers amid the wave of injuries that hit the team. Having vacillated between the starting lineup and the bench, as well as playing the small forward position and having to grow up defensively on the fly, Copeland has seen his shooting percentage plunge.
Mired in his current slump, Copeland played just six minutes during Saturday’s home loss to the Trail Blazers, missing his only field goal attempt. He’s shooting just 33 percent from beyond the arc and 37 percent from the field overall this season.
Following Indiana’s loss to the Clippers last Wednesday, he was the last player in the home locker room. He had gone 3-for-9 from the floor for 10 points in 18 minutes, shooting exactly 33 percent from 3-point range, connecting on two of six attempts. And he answered every last question about why he might be struggling.
“I’m just off,” he told Pacers.com. “I mean, that happens. I’m not too worried about it, honestly. It’s ups and downs. I think when I started in New York in my first season, throughout however many games, I was shooting, like, 20 percent, you know what I mean? So, it’s just ups and downs. I’d like to make more of ’em, but that’s what coming into the gym is for.”
Although he’s been in uncharted territory, having nearly doubled the number of starts he had made in his career leading into this season, Copeland isn’t sweating all the missed shots. And when you consider that the third-year NBA pro played six seasons as a professional in Europe before joining the Association, that’s not necessarily surprising.
“I’m not playing my best as far as shooting the basketball, but that happens,” Copeland said. “It’s an 82-game season. I don’t think it’s end-of-the-world-type shooting.”
Is it easier to come off the bench and be the “we-need-a-bunch-of-3’s-in-a-hurry” guy, versus going back and forth between starting and sitting, as well as playing an expanded role on both ends of the floor?
“You can probably argue that starting gives you more rhythm because you’re fresh off of the layup lines and the pregame shooting,” Copeland said. “It’s probably harder to come off the bench. And that’s as a guy who’s always come off the bench. I don’t know; for me, I figured out, a couple trips up and down the floor, I rub my hands together, and I’m ready to go. I think it’s the same – whatever coach asks.”
For Copeland, the shot will come – it’s a matter of “when,” not “if.” But his biggest challenge has been on the defensive end of the floor, where the Pacers have always excelled under Vogel.
“Rotations, I think, have always been my biggest issue,” Copeland said. “Being at the right place at the right time. And I think I’m learning that, with the help-side and being where I’m supposed to be.”
A perfect example of Copeland being where he was supposed to be came in Wednesday’s game against Los Angeles.
During the third quarter, Chris Paul drove to the basket and Copeland met him with a block of his layup attempt.
“I’m a work in progress,” Copeland said. “I’m not gonna get everything right, but I’m gonna keep trying. I think I’m getting there. I think I’m getting better.”
Having the defensive-minded Vogel as his tutor doesn’t hurt.
“It’s huge for my individual growth,” Copeland said of his coach. “For a guy like me, who needs improvement on the defensive end – I’ll be the first to tell you – it’s huge. And the coaching staff as a whole has been huge for my growth. And hopefully I can continue to get better and help this team get over the hump.”
The Pacers will need Copeland’s best if they are to climb out of an early-season hole to put themselves into contention down the stretch.
Even with the uncertainty surrounding the makeup of first and second units for the Pacers, Copeland isn’t looking too far ahead, because his mindset doesn’t require him to.
“I’m always ready for whatever,” he said. “That’s always been my thing since I’ve been in the league: staying ready for whenever my number’s called; whatever shape, form or fashion it may be.”