DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets contained all the ingredients for the NBA Finals this season — Nikola Jokic’s all-around greatness, Jamal Murray’s slick ball handling, Michael Porter Jr.’s plate smashing and arc accuracy, Aaron Gordon’s over-the-rim brilliance.
The only thing missing is the big game experience.
Enter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers inside the NBA bubble in 2020.
The Nuggets acquired sharp-shooting alternate with veteran guard Ish Smith from the Washington Wizards last July in exchange for Monte Morris and Will Barton.
KCP, the quiet player until he needs to be with a killer outside shot, was the quiet presence in this squad that sent Carl Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis and LeBron James on early sabbaticals and has the designs to add either Jimmy Butler or Jason Tatum to this Mix when the NBA Finals is finally here on June 1.
His 2022-23 teammate Bruce Brown Jr. said: “He’s just the ultimate captain, the ultimate professional, who comes in every day and works so hard, and holds everyone accountable. But he’s the only one on this team that’s won a championship. He knows what it takes and what we have to do.” So, we have to listen to that guy.”
Teammates and coaches say KCP isn’t so much in your face as it is in your ear, offering tips, advice, guidance, encouragement, and caution along the way as the Nuggets navigate a championship road like never before.
“I do it out loud, I just talk, bring the championship mentality that I have to my team right now, and just tell them in moments like if they go running, it’s not the end of the day,” Caldwell-Pope said. “Let’s get back to doing what we’re doing. Like I say, it’s all about With patience, preparation and defense.”
Nuggets Lakers sweep four games He captured the franchise’s first Western Conference title and sent the Nuggets to their first NBA Finals appearance in their history and to their first championship series since losing to Julius Erving and the New York Nets 4-2 in the ABA’s final season in 1976.
These two teams, along with the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs, joined the NBA in 1976-77 when the ABA dissolved. All of the others reached the NBA Finals long before the Nuggets, who made their first league championship appearance in their 47-year history.
They probably wouldn’t have achieved success without KCP, whose contributions on the field are valued most by Nuggets star Jokic.
Caldwell Pope was an integral part of the Lakers’ championship in 2020, averaging 10.7 points and starting all 21 games for Los Angeles. He helped the Lakers beat the Nuggets in five games for the Western Conference title in the bubble.
Jokic said Saturday that what he brings with the Nuggets is not just championship pedigree but performance.
“Yes, he won a championship, but the best thing about KCP is that he knows exactly what to do and where to be,” said Jokic. “And he does it in the first game, the 70th game, the playoff, the finals game, whatever the game, he always does what he’s supposed to do and I think that’s the best way to describe him.”
Whether handing out tips or quietly going about his business, KCP has been a huge part of the Nuggets’ longest playoff campaign in their history.
He averaged 11.7 points a game, up from 10.8 in the regular season, and 3.2 rebounds, up from 2.7, while reducing his turnover from 1.1 to 0.7.
He put in some of his best work in these playoffs on defense.
“I always feel like I’m in a tough spot,” said Caldwell-Pope. “I pride myself on my defense. I look forward to being able to just get shortstops.”
Which is why he said when the Nuggets opened the playoffs after a rest week—two days shorter than they exited before the NBA Finals begin Thursday night—that defense would be the primary driver of lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Nuggets sent James and the Lakers packing when Murray hooked the Lakers star on a drive to the basket and Gordon blocked the shot, sealing Denver’s 113-111 Game 4 victory in the first playoff series playoff series in its history.
After the Suns’ 25-point blast in Phoenix in the second round, Jokic said the Nuggets were so focused that they looked like a championship team. Then he caught himself: “Well, I guess I don’t know what a championship team looks like. But I guess that was how it was supposed to look.”
Bob Caldwell is the only Nugget who knows what it’s like to win an NBA ring.
“Everyone wants one,” said Caldwell-Pope. “That’s the goal, to become champions in this league. It’s one of the hardest things to do.”
He has told his teammates that he will not only define them forever, but change them forever.
“You changed me so much,” he said, “inasmuch as I became that leader that I am now.” “And just being able to focus in the moments as a pro and as a captain, you know, keep my teammates focused and ready to play.”
It’s a feeling he wants all of them to experience in the coming days.
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