As the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets entered the 2024 season as the hunted. In their latest victory over LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and company proved that they are still the team to beat. In order for head coach Michael Malone’s team to repeat, Caldwell-Pope’s defensive play will need to be elite.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: A Defensive Powerhouse
The Denver Nuggets have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season. In two seasons with the Nuggets, guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has enjoyed a defensive resurgence. In fact, KCP himself made it a personal goal to win Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. If he stays in the lineup, Caldwell-Pope will have an opportunity to win his first career Defensive Player of the Year award this season. If “The Beeper” can continue to elevate his defensive game, the Nuggets will have an excellent chance to defend their title.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: Attracting NBA Stars
When the Nuggets won their first NBA title last season, they did so because of the play of Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. While “Joker” has been the face of the Mile High City since 2015, KCP and Denver’s defense is the reason why they will repeat. Jokic has been known to be the Nuggets’ primary recruiter. However, Caldwell-Pope has been one of the Nuggets’ best defenders since being traded to Denver in 2022. When Malone’s team is firing on all cylinders, their play on the defensive side of the ball is among the best in the NBA. They will need to continue playing lockdown defense if they want to secure a home-court advantage in the playoffs this season. If Caldwell-Pope continues to play at a high level, the Nuggets should fare well in the postseason.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 2024 Outlook
With a little over a month left in the regular season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the Denver Nuggets are looking to make their move in the Western Conference. Given their recent success in the East, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are potentially looking at a second-consecutive NBA Final appearance. If Caldwell-Pope and company can continue their dominance in the Western Conference, fans could be treated to a Nuggets-Heat rematch in June. The 31-year-old KCP is one of the centerpieces of the Denver Nuggets franchise. He is in a great position to add “2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year” to his resume when the season comes to a close.
About The Author
Christopher Svancara has been a passionate fan of basketball, baseball, and football since he was young. He also has a passion for expressing himself through his writing. His favorite aspect of writing about sports is uncovering the hidden stories about players and teams. As a Colorado native and an alumnus of the University of Colorado Boulder, Svancara developed a passion for a variety of Colorado sports teams. His favorite teams are the Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos, and Denver Nuggets. He loves to attend sporting events to watch the drama unfold in person. Sharing the excitement of these moments with his readers is what motivates him to be a sports writer for Total Apex Sports.
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