It is perhaps Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who best embodies the differences and similarities of this 2023 Western Conference Finals, which is the same as 2020. Why? Because the back of Denver was already part of the “bubble” in Orlando, but he was then playing in Los Angeles.
The Lakers like the Nuggets have also evoked this feeling of deja vu, which is not really complete. The franchises and the stars are the same, but the context and the numbers have changed.
“It’s crazy, isn’t it? »comments Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for the Los Angeles Times. “We were talking about it recently, we were laughing about it. It’s crazy to have the same four teams as in the bubble. This series is going to be fun. »
By comparing the two eras, we note that the rear displays the same statistics between his career with the Lakers in the bubble (10.7 points on average) and that with the Nuggets this season (10.5 points).
The Nuggets Barometer
If he is not always consistent in terms of points scored game after game, he is still valuable with his defense and his ability to create danger behind the 3-point line. His Game 6 against the Suns showed it brilliantly since “KCP” scored 21 points, not to mention his 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
“His energy is unparalleled” recalls his former teammate LeBron James. “He plays every match at a high level. He always responds. That’s what makes the difference with the other players in the league. Moreover, he is very experienced. We know what to expect with him. He will play with energy and play fair. »
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can even serve as a slider for the Nuggets. In the regular season, when he reached the 15-point mark, he and his band posted a record of 15 wins for only 3 losses. In the playoffs, it’s even more striking: the shooter scored 10 points seven times and Denver won 6 of those 7 matches.
“He is a versatile player and a complete defender”, explains Darvin Ham. “He’s fast, can score, go and scrape balls, take rebounds… He’s also a competitor, who has a CV. You have to be able to match his energy level, which is contagious for his group, and follow him closely for a layup or 3-pts. »
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2013-14 | TED | 80 | 20 | 39.6 | 31.9 | 77.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 5.9 |
| 2014-15 | TED | 82 | 32 | 40.1 | 34.5 | 69.6 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | TED | 76 | 37 | 42.0 | 30.9 | 81.1 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| 2016-17 | TED | 76 | 33 | 39.9 | 35.0 | 83.2 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 13.8 |
| 2017-18 | ALL | 74 | 33 | 42.6 | 38.3 | 78.9 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 13.4 |
| 2018-19 | ALL | 82 | 25 | 43.0 | 34.7 | 86.7 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 11.4 |
| 2019-20 | ALL | 69 | 26 | 46.7 | 38.5 | 77.5 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 9.4 |
| 2020-21 | ALL | 67 | 28 | 43.1 | 41.0 | 86.6 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 9.8 |
| 2021-22 | WAS | 77 | 30 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 89.0 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 13.2 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 76 | 31 | 46.2 | 42.3 | 82.4 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 10.8 |
| Total | 759 | 30 | 42.4 | 36.5 | 81.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 11.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
