He slapped his hands in frustration. Stephen Curry had just pulled up the leather and stopped near the free throw line, to feint Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. But the latter did not bite and the Warriors leader, who slipped his pivot foot, was penalized with a walk.
This is one action among others which demonstrates the defensive impact of the Nuggets guard on the superstar opposite, during the Christmas match. The Californian shooter had one of the most complicated evenings of his season, with only 18 points on 7/21 shots, including 3/13 from distance.
“ Watching him tonight was… If this guy isn't considered one of the best NBA outside defenders, I don't know who is. I have to say this because I don't think KCP gets the respect he deserves, to be honest “, displays his coach Michael Malonewhose players have already had the opportunity to defend the candidacy of their teammate, for the best defensive five in the league.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's notable defensive performances so far this season:
– Desmond Bane: 15 points (4-17 FGs)
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 7 points (2-16 FGs)
– Jordan Clarkson: 4 points (2-10 FGs)
– Zach LaVine: 12 points (4-12 FGs)
– Steph Curry: 23 points (6-17 FGs) pic.twitter.com/CtAjSzIhV0— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) November 9, 2023
A real pot of glue
When an opponent shoots in front of the double NBA champion, his skill percentage drops to just under 41%. Which makes “KCP”, also 16th interceptor in the championship (1.5 per match), the best player in the league in this area, tied with Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
“ KCP is one of the best players I have ever seen at avoiding being left behind by the shooter. If you want to simplify basketball, great defenders prevent distance, and great attackers create it », Summarizes the coach who has no doubt, like several of his players, that the full-back deserves his place in the league's first defensive five.
Achieving such a defensive performance during a match broadcast on television, against Curry, already contained to 23 points on 6/17 shots earlier in the season, is obviously a good way to get noticed.
According to his coach, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope wants to make his “ pride » on this side of the field. “ He knows that for this team, it's his number 1 mission every night: to defend against the best player on the other team. And he does it at an extremely high level. »
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | DET | 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 | DET | 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 | DET | 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 | DET | 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 | LAL | 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 | LAL | 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 | LAL | 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 | LAL | 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 | W.A.S. | 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 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 29 | 33 | 45.5 | 41.8 | 90.2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| Total | 788 | 30 | 42.5 | 36.7 | 81.7 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 11.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
