The Denver Nuggets are recent off of a win over the Golden State Warriors, bringing their season report to 8-1, which is the perfect in your entire league. An enormous purpose for the Nuggets’ success this yr is clearly Nikola Jokic’s greatness, nonetheless, the opposite largest purpose is the Nuggets’ stifling protection, led by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Aaron Gordon.
Whereas Gordon is averaging profession highs in steals per sport (1.4) and blocks per sport (1.1) by way of 9 video games this season, he isn’t even the perfect defender on the Nuggets. That award belongs to Caldwell-Pope, who’s poised to make his first All-Defensive workforce in his profession this season.
Caldwell-Pope at present holds the longest energetic streak within the NBA for consecutive regular-season video games with a steal (17 video games in a row). Moreover, KCP is third in your entire NBA in whole steals with 21. This mark trails solely Marcus Sensible and Paul George, each of whom are former All-Defensive workforce members. Sensible is a three-time member and was the Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2021-2022. In the meantime, Paul George is a four-time All-Defensive workforce member.
Why Caldwell-Pope ought to make first workforce All-Defensive.
Earlier than the season started, Caldwell-Pope talked about that he felt he had been snubbed up to now for All-Defensive workforce honors, and one among his objectives this yr was to get into that dialog… He has actually achieved that. Simply 9 video games into the season and the two-time champion has already been the first key defender on many various stars and high-level scorers inflicting these gamers to place up absolute stinkers:
Desmond Bane: 15 factors on 4/17 taking pictures (1/10 from three)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 7 factors on 2/16 taking pictures (0/4 from three and a pair of/12 from two)
Zach LaVine: 12 factors on 4/12 taking pictures (1/5 from three)
Steph Curry: 23 factors on 6/17 taking pictures (6/13 from three and 0/4 from two)
If Caldwell-Pope can proceed to anchor the perimeter protection of the Nuggets and shut down NBA stars, he could possibly be the primary Nugget to make an All-Defensive workforce since Marcus Camby in 2008. Moreover, if KCP will get constant assist from Gordon, in addition to kids, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson, not solely will the Nuggets get a minimum of one All-Defensive participant this season, however they could possibly be on their approach to one other NBA championship.
