Reggie Jackson can’t believe it. When he played for the Pistons, alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the leader was already aware of his teammate’s defensive qualities. Six years later, the two men meet again and Reggie Jackson finds it hard to believe that the Nuggets guard has still not obtained the slightest selection in an “All-Defensive team” since.
So to motivate him, he slips two words into his partner’s ears almost daily: “ First Team », i.e. the first defensive five targeted by “KCP”. “ I feel like I’ve been snubbed over the last few years. Even just being mentioned…I don’t think I even got mentioned in that category, so that’s definitely a goal for this year. I’ll make some noise so they can’t ignore me “, he promises the Denver Post.
We must go back to the 2020-2021 season, from the time he played for the Lakers, to find traces of the rear in this race for the best defenders. He had obtained a handful of votes, but finished far from the second five. So the double NBA champion is working hard this season. In recent days, Desmond Bane (4/17 on shots) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2/16) have both suffered greatly against the Nuggets defense and him.
“ His defense was incredible in the first three games, he defended against very, very good players. He has the hardest job every night », greets Michael Porter Jr. who gives his teammate the funny nickname… “ puppy lord » (“ puppy master “)
Support from Nikola Jokic and Reggie Jackson
Present in the Top 10 of the best interceptors in the league with two units, his best career average, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the kings of the contest so far: his direct opponents only shoot at 31% success rate . Only Victor Wembanyama (23%) and Al Horford (29%), two interior players, do better than him on a significant volume.
“ In recent seasons, during the offseason, I told myself that I was going to be part of the first or second defensive five given the way I played. Even last year I thought I would be considered… », Regrets the rear who can at least count on his teammates.
“ That’s supposed to be his goal, because I think he has a chance. He always defends on the best players, so he’s always there. And not just one-on-one, he is also very good in collective defense. So he has a chance, so why not? », asks Nikola Jokic, where his main support Reggie Jackson describes his defense as “ outstanding “.
“ Very often, the media highlights names. The stories of the guys who aren’t talked about much get lost in the archives. I think he’s been an All-Defensive player for years. […] I don’t mind if I’m the one who gets things done. He really deserves it. I know we are in a smaller market and it is at risk of being overlooked. But I want people to respect what he does every night », insists the leader.
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | DET | 80 | 20 | 39.6 | 31.9 | 77.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 5.9 |
| 2014-15 | DET | 82 | 32 | 40.1 | 34.5 | 69.6 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 12.7 |
| 2015-16 | DET | 76 | 37 | 42.0 | 30.9 | 81.1 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| 2016-17 | DET | 76 | 33 | 39.9 | 35.0 | 83.2 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 13.8 |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 74 | 33 | 42.6 | 38.3 | 78.9 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 13.4 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 82 | 25 | 43.0 | 34.7 | 86.7 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 11.4 |
| 2019-20 | LAL | 69 | 26 | 46.7 | 38.5 | 77.5 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 9.4 |
| 2020-21 | LAL | 67 | 28 | 43.1 | 41.0 | 86.6 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 9.8 |
| 2021-22 | W.A.S. | 77 | 30 | 43.5 | 39.0 | 89.0 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 13.2 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 76 | 31 | 46.2 | 42.3 | 82.4 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 10.8 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 6 | 33 | 48.8 | 47.6 | 100.0 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 9.5 |
| Total | 765 | 30 | 42.5 | 36.6 | 81.4 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 11.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
