NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

May 29, 2023

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Denver Nuggets

Practice Day

Q. How difficult has this week plus been not knowing who you're going to face, and what has the emphasis been with that unknown kind of looming over this?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: It's been difficult for us as far as how long we have to wait to play, just being anxious and being ready. That's the most difficult part. We're just trying to stay focused with it for this long time period that we have.

Lucky for us, we get a couple more days of rest. But we're enjoying this time, fixing all our injuries, getting back, getting ready to 100 percent, everybody, and just trying to stay focused. Everybody just reminding each other what's at stake.

Q. You've talked a lot throughout the Playoffs about how vocal you've been. Have you found yourself saying anything to keep the group locked in during this strange eight-day layoff?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I'm going to tell them what I see fit. I don't know. I haven't been -- my time I had (in the 2020 NBA Finals) wasn't this. I didn't have a long period of time to rest.

But just talking, having conversation, just reminding everybody on the goal that we have. Just trying to just tell them to keep -- reminding them to stay locked in, no matter how you do it, just try to do it the best that you can.

But I think as a team, I think we've done a great job of that as far as coming in, getting our work in, off days, just staying on treatment and just being ready.

Q. Aaron Gordon has kind of changed his game a little bit to better fit in with what he needs to do for this team. What's that say about a No. 4 pick who's willing to basically change his game like that?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: It says a lot, just being professional, making it work for himself and the team. It's just being a professional and just adjusting to your teammates and the organization.

Q. Kenny, you being the champion that you are, what does this team have on and off the court that has given you the belief that not only they could get to this point but that you guys could finish the job?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I'm surprised on our focus. Our focus is tremendous. Even though we've had this long period of time off, everybody still has the same mindset. It hasn't faded away. Everybody still has the same energy. They're just ready to play, feeling a little antsy, just ready to get out there.

Q. What did you learn about playing in altitude here, and if it is Miami, what's the benefit of you guys having been in this climate for like nine days and then they've got to come in and get adjusted in like a day?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I feel like we've been here a long period of time working out. I feel like it does affect us just because I've felt it out there before playing. But like I said, the advantage is them having to come in and adjust to the altitude, which we've been here for a while now doing that, working out, getting our breathing right, lungs, everything. It's going to be an advantage for us, I would say.

Q. You've played for a few different coaches. Is there anything about Michael Malone that makes him different or allows him to stand out?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: No. I mean, Mike is a great coach. Been doing it for a while. I had his dad in Detroit as an assistant coach, so I've been knowing both of them for a long time. He's just very professional about his job. He wants to get it done no matter what.

Q. Knowing how competitive you are, when you ultimately get traded to Denver, what was your first thought going from a team, Washington, that's trying to get into the Playoffs versus a team that's expected to contend for a championship? Was it a little bit of a breath of fresh air?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: It was. For me, it was a breath of fresh air. I got a chance to compete for a championship again. Just knowing this team from playing them, I knew what we had and what I was coming into. I fit well, I would say.

It made it so easy for me when I did get traded. It made it so easy for me to adjust and just be comfortable within myself and my game.

Q. What was the conversation with Calvin? Was there like a thank you --

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I don't remember the conversation between us, but every time I see him, though, I do thank him. We do talk and just -- I'm happy I'm here and being in the position to win another championship.

Q. You guys have had a now significant time to really look at what Boston has done, look at what Miami has done. I know the preparation for that is a little bit probably muted just given you don't know who it is you're going to face yet. What stands out about those two teams and just watching them over the course of this last week?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: They've both got a lot of fight in them. They're not going to back down and give up games easy. That's pretty much all I can see right now as far as like watching the game. Both teams are tough. But when we do our thing, we cover both teams because we don't know who it's going to be. We're just hoping -- we're just waiting right now.

Q. You mentioned the fit. You mentioned being thankful that you're here. If you just talk about style of play, how does this compare to other styles around the league, and is it more fun to play basketball the way this team plays it?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: It is. We make it fun. I feel like on any team you can make it fun when everybody is sharing the ball. But here, everybody shares the ball. Everybody wants to help each other out, no matter what it is. That just makes your confidence go high when you've got your teammates behind you all the way.

Q. I heard Ish talking about how you guys have a really great relationship sharing teams the way that you have, but I'm curious how is this veteran group special compared to other teams that you've been on? How would you describe them?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: First of all, we have more veterans over here. Secondly, they're all vocal. Everybody talks, no matter who it is. Even me, they come up and talk to me, give me advice on what I should do or ask me what I think about this. I love feeding off them guys like Ish, DJ, Jeff. We talk a lot about just basketball. They've just helped me out to be the leader that I am, vocal, and just being able to get my teammates in position and just letting them know, all right, we can do this.

Q. Back in 2020, you were locked in a bubble, but still I would like to ask you, how different is it to experience an NBA Finals as a Laker and then as a Denver Nugget in terms of anxiety, fans' expectations?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I mean, I don't think there's a difference. My 2020 championship, I had great Laker fans. Here I have even greater fans. I just love being able to put on for my fans. It gives a great feeling and a confidence just knowing the screaming and the support behind you is also greater.

Q. You talked about your trade a little bit earlier. I remember when you got introduced out in Vegas, you said you were surprised by the outcome, and your name was kind of on the trade block since that February before. What do you recall about the last few days as a Wizard before you got the call that you were heading to Denver? Where did you think you were going? What changed from what you were expecting?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I heard the rumor. I didn't know how true it was until the next morning when I woke up and got on the phone with my agent. They said it could be possible but wasn't sure yet. But my agent did his job. He made it happen. I'm happy.

Q. You mentioned before the focus of your team. How would you describe the vibe in the locker room ahead of the NBA Finals? How big is the desire and the will to make something special in this series?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I'm always talking about it. For me, just to be a part of history with the Denver Nuggets, making their first Finals appearance, winning their first NBA championship, I feel like I'm more excited about that than anything.