Sports
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope brings a championship pedigree to the rising Orlando Magic
ORLANDO, Fla. – Veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope showed leadership amongst his young and rising Orlando Magic teammates for the first time, offering words of wisdom about the importance of competition in training camp. The two-time NBA champion believed his advice would make everyone higher.
With ambitions to do what Caldwell-Pope, nicknamed KCP, had already done, Magic players gave him their undivided attention.
“He made himself known early on with his vocals,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero told Andscape. “And then he’s physically in the right places and he’s a link for us on each ends of the floor. It’s something we’re obviously pleased with as a team and he matches in perfectly. I’m just really enthusiastic about what he’ll bring to our team, the leadership he’ll bring and his perspective.
According to NBA.com, the Magic are the fifth youngest team in the NBA in the 2024 season (average age 24.7 years). Caldwell-Pope, 32, is the second-oldest player to veteran defenseman Cory Joseph, 33. Caldwell-Pope can be the most decorated veteran on the team, having won two NBA titles with the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers and 62 playoff appearances in 11 seasons. Additionally, according to ESPN Stats & Information, the 5-foot-7, 204-pounder has played a league-high 835 games since arriving in the NBA in 2013.
With Banchero, a 2024 NBA All-Star, at the helm, the Magic qualified for the postseason last season for the first time since 2020. Caldwell-Pope and Magic will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in a playoff rematch on Friday night (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET). ).
Orlando believes the addition of Caldwell-Pope has added essential perimeter defense, three-point shooting and leadership. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said Caldwell-Pope is already providing advice on “the small details,” including talking to defenseman Jalen Suggs about making more of an impact defensively and with Banchero about maintaining distance on offense when he has the ball.
“He means so much to this team,” Mosley told Andscape about Caldwell-Pope. “He brings leadership, experience and a winning mentality, playing defense and doing all the little things that often go unnoticed.”
“He has a really extraordinary perspective on how he may help us as a team and has a championship pedigree. That’s what we’re striving for and he’s a good guy who may help us get there,” Banchero said of Caldwell-Pope.
Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images
Caldwell-Pope said he teaches a lot on the Magic every single day, showing his young teammates simpler ways of doing things while also offering insight from what he’s seen on film and in practice. Caldwell-Pope said he received the same support from former teammates LeBron James, Nikola Jokić, Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo and Jamal Murray.
“I’m pretty vocal, but I learned it on the last two teams I played for: Denver and then a little bit in DC (Washington Wizards). But mostly from my two championship teams and just being around guys who were leaders, a lot of guys in the locker room who were loud enough. Just learning from these guys and knowing what I’m talking about makes it easier,” Caldwell-Pope said.
It wasn’t easy for Caldwell-Pope to leave the Nuggets.
Caldwell-Pope was the starting scorer as the Nuggets won their first NBA Championship in 2023. He continued to be a key player for the Nuggets last season, averaging 10.1 points and 1.2 steals and shooting 40.6% on three-pointers. However, the Nuggets decided to turn to junior shooting guard Christian Braun for the future. So as a substitute of returning to the Mile High City, Caldwell-Pope signed a three-year, $66 million contract with the Magic.
“It was difficult. We gave them a chance, but things happen,” Caldwell-Pope said. “I let my agent, Rich Paul, handle all of it. But my agent at all times told me, “At the end of the day, it’s a business.” I want to discover what is going to make me glad, what will probably be best for me and my family…
“I used to be a a part of the first (Nuggets title) in almost 40-something years. Of course, everyone who was on that team that yr will probably be a part of this championship that can go down in history. It’s at all times a blessing and I’m grateful to be a a part of things like this and play a major role in it.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
They’re not talking about the first NBA championship in Orlando, but expectations of being an Eastern Conference powerhouse are growing. Last season, Magic led the Cleveland Cavaliers to Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs and commenced the regular season well (3-2). Banchero’s rising star, who’s sidelined indefinitely with a torn diagonalalso stepped into the highlight after scoring a career-high 50 points in Monday’s victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Caldwell-Pope believes he made a solid long-term decision in coming to Orlando.
“What made it a good fit was the young corps they have and the returning players they brought in,” Caldwell-Pope said. “The core group continues to be together. The way they played last season (season), the growth of the organization that I saw, and them reaching the playoffs showed me that they were in fine condition. I just sat down and thought of it with my family and what could be best for them. Orlando seems pretty good to me.
Orlando is about an hour and 45 minutes by plane from Atlanta, Caldwell-Pope’s off-season home. Another plus is Greenville, Georgia, a Florida resident doesn’t have to worry about snow.
“All the snow jackets are gone. We left them at home in Atlanta,” Caldwell-Pope said with a smile. “The weather here is sort of good. We’re on this golf course.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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