NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 11, 2023

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Denver Nuggets

Practice Day

Q. You're a game away from winning a championship. How does it feel? How is it different than the first time?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: It's different. Like I've always been saying, just because of the crowd, we get to come into the arena, get to feel that energy from the crowd.

My family will be here. My kids will be able to experience it, as well. I'm looking forward to just that.

Also just taking our time and trying to get this win.

Q. You are expecting another child soon, right?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: I am. Still don't know the gender yet, but we'll find out, I guess, after tomorrow's game.

Q. You guys have been saying all postseason long, job is not done. This is actually just one more now. Does that feel different knowing that that journey could be over as soon as tomorrow night?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: Yeah. We could be too excited or it could not go the way we want it. Tomorrow for us, it's just to be relaxed, composed, but take in the moment, enjoy it. Also just come out and play basketball how we've been playing this whole playoff and this series.

Q. How do you generate intensity when you know they've got to beat you three times?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: Our mindset from the beginning of the Playoffs was to win a championship, and we know we're one game away. I'm always telling my teammates, don't get on the one-yard line and fumble the ball. We're here. Like I keep saying, just enjoy the moment.

We're going to come out and play as hard as we can, like we're down 3-1. That's the mindset we have. Continue to play great.

Q. When you won your ring, you did it in the bubble with no one around. How special would it be to do it here in this city with these fans?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: It would be great. We could do something special for this organization and for this town and this city by winning their first championship. I'm excited for the game tomorrow, and I know my teammates are excited. We've just got to continue to get better and play as hard as we know we can.

Q. The last couple of games it seems like all series long the three-point line has been a big X factor for them. The last few games you've had a lot of success running them off the line. What goes into that challenge?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: Second effort. We'll have to scramble sometimes throughout the game. But that second effort that we give to run them off that three-point line or get a contest or get a miss goes good in our favor, and that's what works for us.

Q. You guys seemed incredibly relaxed out here, having fun. How would you describe the mindset of the team right now?

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE: We're locked in. Our mindset is still we've got one game left. Job is not done. We're going to come in with a mindset to win tomorrow.

But also got to have fun and enjoy this moment. This is the time where we can enjoy each other while we're on the basketball court, talk about anything besides basketball, but also being focused. We're out here just having fun with each other.