A few days before the end of the regular season, it's time to think about the trophies and other distinctions distributed by the NBA. As before the All-Star Game, players go into “self-promotion” mode to get noticed by voters. In Denver, it's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who comes out of silence for a place on an All-Defensive Team. Double NBA champion, he would finally like to be recognized among the best defenders in the league.
“That’s what I’m trying to do right now. I'm trying to make myself known. I have to do it “ he explains to the Denver Gazette. “I feel like there were seasons where I should have been mentioned in the first or second defensive of the year. This year, I wanted to focus on that.”
What will he say to his children?
Versatile, “KCP” can defend on all types of exteriors, whether as a leader, a hyper-athletic second back or a shooting winger. Every night, Mike Malone assigns him the best opposing attacker.
“It’s the hardest job and it’s so underrated. He will never be recognized for this” regrets Nikola Jokic. “Maybe when he's older, he can tell his kids or his grandkids, 'I defended the best players in the NBA.' That's about it… But we love it, and we really appreciate it. It’s really hard work.”
Recently, the former “3&D” of the Lakers limited Devin Booker to 5 of 17 shots, or even Donovan Mitchell to 3 of 12. Anthony Edwards, who only shot 8 of 19 on Friday night, including 0 out of 8 from 3-point range, pays tribute to him.
“He slides his supports laterally against the best, and he has very good hands. He doesn't really bite into traps. You just have to overflow it. If you dribble too much, he stays in front of you” underlines the Wolves star.
Frank Vogel loved him at the Lakers
For Mike Malone, the problem with his fullback is that he shines in the shadow of great attackers. “For over 70 matches, KCP has been doing the dirty work and hasn't received much credit, because Nikola is a very great player. Because Jamal is a great player. Because Michael hits his shots and Aaron is athletic. So he remains in the shadows” deplores his coach. “The work he does is very important and key to our success. We need to make sure we show him the recognition he deserves, because he does all this dirty work. He loves doing it and he does it with a lot of pride.”
Among Mike Malone's colleagues, we assure that the work of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is recognized and valued. “I definitely think he has a good chance of making one of the two All-NBA Defensive Teams,” assures Taylor Jenkins, the Memphis coach. “No matter how many points or shots he makes, he wins defensively. He's a disruptor. He is capable of bothering players all over the field. He shows a big physical presence when moving from one-on-one or pick-and-roll situations. »
Same story with Frank Vogel, his coach at the Lakers when they won the title in 2020. “He’s one of the best outside defenders in the league. I loved my time with KCP. He’s one of my favorite players.”
