3 Years Since Winning A Title With LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Spills On Similarities Between Lakers Star And Nikola Jokic

Kentavious Caldwell-Pop won NBA championships with two different teams. Recently, he won with the Denver Nuggets, who defeated his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, to reach the NBA Finals. He played a crucial role for both the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in their championship runs. Perhaps KCP really knows how to use a sharp mind and pass-first players like LeBron James and Nikola Jokic to elevate his game. 

In July of last year, Pope was traded from the Washington Wizards, along with Kyle Kuzma and Ish Smith, to the Denver Nuggets. Throughout his career, he has established himself as one of the league’s top three-point shooters and a valuable 3 and D player. His defensive skills greatly contributed to the Nuggets’ roster, particularly during the playoffs, where coach Malone maximized his defensive capabilities. Pope’s playoff stats for this season include an average of 10.6 points, a 46% field goal percentage, and a 38% three-point shooting percentage.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Gives His Perspective On Nikola Jokic and LeBron James’ Greatness

Having played with both players and won championships with both LeBron and Joker, KCP knows what investments these top key players make in order to prepare themselves. Comparing Joker and Bron, KCP mentioned their unique ability to read plays even before they happened. He was still awestruck by Jokic’s one-legged shots in-game and during practice. 

Pope also mentioned that growing up, he idolized LeBron, and winning a championship with him was one of his greatest achievements. Watching the King operate, show leadership, and conduct himself with the highest professionalism was all surreal for the Nuggets’ star player.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Had a Big Role To Play In James’ Move to Los Angeles

When one door closes, another opens, and that’s what happened with Rich Paul, KCP’s agent from Klutch Sports. During the 2017-18 season, Pope was serving a 25-day jail term after signing an 18-million contract with the Lakers. His jail term, in a way, played a crucial part in LeBron signing a massive 154-million contract with the Lakers later. 

During the season, KCP played games with the Lakers but had to return to his jail cell to serve his sentence due to a DUI arrest. While the 3-point shooter specialist was in the arena, his agent, Paul, came to watch games and make sure everything was in place for Pope. In his book “LeBron Inc.: The Making of a Billion-Dollar Athlete,” Brian Windhorst reveals that during that time Paul and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss grew close, making LeBron’s trade from Cleveland possible. The Lakers also signed Pope next season on a 12-million contract, a lot higher than his actual market value.