Tag: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

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.

The Wizards just challenged the Knicks to a tank-off for the 10th slot in the NBA Draft lottery

TANK. TANK. TANK. TANK.

There might not be a better argument for the NBA season being too long than what’s about to happen in Washington, D.C. tonight when the Wizards play the Knicks.

You know how, toward the end of the year, there are always playoff teams jostling for position in the standings? Certain teams want to play other teams once the year starts, so they’ll either make a big push or care…slightly less about the game they’re about to play.

The same thing happens at the bottom of the standings, too. Except for literally never about winning. It’s a good ole fashioned tank-off. Everybody is trying to lose their way to the best draft lottery position possible.

That’s what the Wizards are doing tonight against the Knicks. Tanking. As hard as possible.

The team just announced that both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kristaps Porzingis are sitting out for rest.

Two starters, with one of them being their best player, are both sitting. Why? Because they’re currently tied with the Knicks as the 10th worse team in the NBA.

Here’s what that looks like, via Tankathon. 

This means that whoever wins the game between these two tonight is probably locked in for the 11th best odds and probably has no chance of catching the Spurs at 9.

There is literally no incentive to play this game. If it weren’t completely out of bounds, one of the teams might actually forfeit. That’s how pointless a win here would be.

You’re going to see weird lineups, fringe players getting big minutes and lots of guys sitting out with injuries that came from out of nowhere. You absolutely love to see it.

This is what a tank-off looks like. The Wizards got things started by sitting their guys. The Knicks still have some time to respond. Julius Randle is already out with that same nagging quad injury, but can they do more?

We’ll find out soon, I’m sure. As a Wizards fan? I absolutely love to see this.