Tag: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was praised for his elite defense on Stephen Curry during Christmas win

KCP is one of the most underrated players in the NBA.

When the Denver Nuggets played the Golden State Warriors on Christmas, one of the stars of the show was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The two-time NBA champion earned praise from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. After the game, Malone said that if Caldwell-Pope is not considered one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA, he wasn’t sure who else could earn that title.

Caldwell-Pope ended the game with 16 points (6-of-13 FG, 3-of-9 3P) with four rebounds and five assists. But it was his two steals and his defense that made him so valuable during the victory.

Caldwell-Pope ranks in the 88th percentile among all NBA players in the advanced catch-all metric Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus, according to dunksandthrees.com.

But what is even more significant is that he is spending so many possessions guarding the best player on the other team. His matchup difficulty now ranks in the 99th percentile so far this season, per BBall-Index.

You can watch the way that Caldwell-Pope was able to defend Stephen Curry when the Nuggets defeated the Warriors on Christmas:

This is exactly what you want to see from players like Caldwell-Pope if you are rooting for the Nuggets.

These are incredibly valuable players to have on your roster and essential to make any run at winning a championship in the NBA.

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LeBron James: ‘There will be a time’ to respond to Nuggets’ trash talk

LeBron James played it coy when asked about responding to the Nuggets’ trash time over the last few months.

The Denver Nuggets swept the Los Angeles Lakers in last season’s Western Conference finals en route to their first-ever NBA championship. After clinching the world title, and even before doing so, they spent a lot of time talking trash to and about the Purple and Gold.

Head coach Michael Malone whined a lot about the supposed disproportionate media focus on the Lakers as opposed to his team, even after it had put the Lakers away for the summer. He then strutted around like a peacock on steroids during Denver’s championship parade.

In addition, Bruce Brown, a key reserve on last year’s Nuggets, said the Minnesota Timberwolves, their first-round opponent, and not the Lakers were their toughest playoff opponent.

More recently, Denver guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who won a ring with the Lakers in 2020, said his current team “had to give them that butt whooping” (h/t Lakers Daily).

LeBron James was asked about all this trash talk and when he will respond. He said, “There will be a time,” but that the time isn’t now.

One thing a team in the Nuggets’ position should never do is give a team such as the Lakers any added motivation or bulletin board material, especially since the Lakers seem equipped and very capable of knocking off the Nuggets in this season’s playoffs.

The two teams will kick off the regular season on Tuesday in the Mile High City after the Nuggets receive their 2023 world championship rings in front of their fans.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope celebrates winning NBA Finals

Twitter reactions and top moments from former UGA star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s NBA title

Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has proven himself as a championship caliber role player. Caldwell-Pope, a former Georgia basketball star, and the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to win the 2023 NBA Finals.

Denver won its first NBA championship in franchise history thanks in part to Caldwell-Pope’s clutch steal. Following Caldwell-Pope’s steal, he hit some clutch free throws in the final moments of NBA Finals Game 5 to give the Nuggets a lead they would never relinquish.

Caldwell-Pope played an important role in Denver’s championship run. He brought championship experience to the Nuggets. He averaged 7.4 points per game in the Finals and was a key fixture in Denver’s line up. His consistent defense and three point shooting helped Denver defend at a high level while maintaining spacing for center Nikola Jokic.

How did Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Twitter react to him winning another NBA championship?

Former Georgia Bulldog Kentavious Caldwell-Pope wins second NBA title

Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a former UGA star, has now won two NBA championships

Former Georgia Bulldog Kentavious Caldwell-Pope came up with a clutch steal and hit some clutch free throws in the final moments of NBA Finals Game 5 as the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat to clinch an NBA title.

Caldwell-Pope won an NBA championship for the second time in his career. Caldwell-Pope previously won an NBA championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Caldwell-Pope played a critical role in Denver’s championship run. He played over 30 minutes per game in the NBA Finals and averaged 7.4 points per game. His consistent defense and three point shooting helped the Nuggets defend at a high level while maintaining spacing for star center Nikola Jokic.

Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope drives against the Miami Heat during the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals to advance to the 2023 NBA Finals.

The Nuggets played elite offensive basketball throughout the NBA postseason. Denver relied on Nikola Jokic, who won the NBA Finals MVP award, to win a championship.

Here is Caldwell-Pope’s clutch steal:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has connected on a career-high 42.3% of 3-pointers throughout the regular season. Caldwell-Pope played basketball at Georgia from 2011-2013.

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Former Georgia star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope returns to NBA Finals

Former Georgia basketball star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is returning to the NBA Finals and hopes to win his second career NBA championship

Former Georgia Bulldog Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is returning to the NBA Finals for the second time in his career. Caldwell-Pope previously won an NBA championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Caldwell-Pope and the Denver Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals. No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets will face the winner of the Eastern Conference finals (Boston Celtics or Miami Heat) in the NBA Finals.

Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope celebrates beating the Los Angeles Lakers in game four of the Western Conference finals. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets struggled some during the final weeks of the NBA regular season, but rallied in the NBA postseason. Denver relies on star center Nikola Jokic, who is putting together a historic playoff run.

The Nuggets count on shooting and defense from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope has connected on a career-high 42.3% of 3-pointers throughout the regular season.

Caldwell-Pope averaged 14.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in the Western Conference finals. The former Georgia product is the last Bulldog remaining in the NBA postseason. The finals start on June 1.

Caldwell-Pope played basketball at Georgia from 2011-2013.

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Georgia Bulldogs in the 2023 NBA postseason

All three Georgia Bulldogs in the NBA have a shot to have a prominent role in the NBA playoffs.

All three Georgia Bulldogs in the NBA have a chance to have a prominent role in the NBA playoffs.

Former Georgia basketball standout Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves will host the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder versus New Orleans Pelicans game. The Timberwolves lost an overtime game to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first game of the play-in tournament.

If Edwards and the Timberwolves defeat the Thunder or Pelicans, Minnesota will be the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Edwards and company would face the No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

The Nuggets have struggled some down the stretch, so the Timberwolves or whoever ends up earning the No. 8 seed have a chance to make that series interesting. Denver relies on star center Nikola Jokic, but does not have a great defense.

The Nuggets seek shooting and defense from former Georgia Bulldog Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope has connected on a career-high 42.3% of 3-pointers this season.

Can Denver guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Nuggets make some noise in the 2023 NBA postseason? Rob Gray/USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of career years, Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton took a big step in 2022-2023. Claxton endured turmoil and roster turnover over the past couple of season with the Nets, but he weathered the storm and put together the best season of his young NBA career.

Claxton accumulated 12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. Each of these numbers represents a career-high for the former Georgia standout. Claxton and the Nets, who are the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, travel to Philadelphia to take on the Sixers in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

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Nuggets ink massive extension with former UGA star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Denver Nuggets have agreed to a two-year extension with shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Denver Nuggets have agreed to a two-year extension with shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The Nuggets are building around star center Nikola Jokic and point guard Jamal Murray.

Denver’s deal with Caldwell-Pope includes a player option in the second year of the contract. Caldwell-Pope’s agent, Rich Paul, helped him secure a two-year, $30 million extension. Prior to the extension, Caldwell-Pope was entering the final year of his contract that is worth $14 million for the 2022-2023 NBA season.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a former Georgia basketball standout, is expected to be a key piece of Denver’s core moving forward. The Nuggets acquired Caldwell-Pope from the Washington Wizards via trade earlier this offseason.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is coming off a strong season with the Washington Wizards. Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game last season.

Washington Wizards guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played in 77 games during the 2021-2022 NBA season. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Caldwell-Pope’s 2021-2022 campaign featured some efficient shooting (39% on three-pointers and 43.5% overall) and helped the Wizards exceed preseason expectations. Caldwell-Pope brings NBA championship experience to the Denver Nuggets and will fit in well.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Caldwell-Pope’s extension:

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Former Georgia basketball star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope traded to Denver Nuggets

KCP to the Nuggets…

Former Georgia basketball star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been sent to the Denver Nuggets from the Washington Wizards in a four-player trade.

Caldwell-Pope, who spent one season in Washington after winning a title with the L.A. Lakers, played and started in 77 games for the Wizzards. The nine-year veteran averaged 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.

The No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, Caldwell-Pope spent his first four seasons with the Detroit Pistons before moving on to L.A. for four more.

At Georgia, Caldwell-Pope (2011-2013) averaged 15.8 points per game, along with 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 steals.

Will Barton, Monte Morris trade grades: Who won the Nuggets and Wizards deal?

Will Barton will now play for fellow Baltimore native Wes Unseld Jr., who coaches the Wizards.

NBA free agency also means the trade market is as active as ever, and we had a trade between the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards this morning.

After trading JaMychal Green to the Thunder and gaining some draft capital (which was used on UCLA freshman Peyton Watson) in the process, Denver has been active in the trade market of late.

As we’ve done in the past, we’ll grade the trade for both sides to help break down who won and lost the deal.

This is a guard and a wing trade for … a guard and a wing. Let’s break it all down for you:

5 trades Sixers can make to move Danny Green, No. 23 pick to help now

Here are 5 trades the Philadelphia 76ers can make to move Danny Green and the No. 23 pick that will help them right away.

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of trying to position themselves to make moves in the offseason to put the right pieces around Joel Embiid and James Harden in order to make them legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference.

In order to clear enough cap space to make the moves they want to make–see P.J. Tucker–they have to make a trade leading up to Thursday’s NBA draft which kicks off at 8 p.m. EST.

The Sixers have been known to have been aggressively shopping veteran Danny Green as well as the No. 23 pick they own in Thursday’s draft. They haven’t made a deal just yet, but with the help of cap specialist Yossi Gozlan, Sixers Wire has come up with five trades to move Green and the pick in order to find immediate help for the Sixers.

Note: In order for any of the following trades to work, any players mentioned with non-guaranteed salaries like Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Isaiah Joe would need to have their salaries guaranteed for these deals to work.