DENVER – The had been a few surprises surrounding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s taking pictures efficiency in his first preseason sport with the Nuggets.

The veteran three-and-D wing completed 1 for 8 from the sector. He wasn’t anticipating the ball to seek out him so continuously in his 14-plus minutes of taking part in time.

“I wasn’t anticipating to get that many in the course of the sport,” he admitted after Wednesday’s observe at Ball Area.

The one make got here after Nikola Jokic picked off a go and threw it forward to Jamal Murray on the best facet of the courtroom. Caldwell-Pope sprinted to the entrance of the rim the place he acquired a bounce go from Murray for an uncontested dunk. Caldwell-Pope, a 41% 3-point shooter for the championship Lakers two seasons in the past and a 39% shooter from deep final season in Washington, missed all 4 of his 3-point makes an attempt, which shocked Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

“I believed quite a lot of the photographs he obtained had been nice photographs for him,” Malone mentioned Tuesday.

“These photographs are going to go in.”

There will likely be no scarcity of alternatives for Caldwell-Pope to warmth up earlier than the season begins. He mentioned the coaches are telling him to run to the nook and be able to shoot. That message was bolstered Monday when Jokic whipped an surprising go to Denver’s new beginning taking pictures guard.

“It did open my eyes. I didn’t anticipate it to even come to me, however they maintain telling me simply be within the nook, and if he sees me, he’ll get me the ball,” Caldwell-Pope mentioned. “I might’ve made it if I wouldn’t have gotten slapped within the eye.”

Jokic didn’t appear to thoughts that the brand new man value him a preseason help. The fulcrum of Denver’s offense mentioned Caldwell-Pope was in the best spots and taking the proper photographs.

“He was actually good,” Jokic mentioned. “I actually like him.”

The chemistry between him and the remainder of the starters isn’t a ultimate product, Caldwell-Pope mentioned. Elevated communication on and off the courtroom may help expedite the method. However there’s nonetheless quite a lot of work to be accomplished for the one newcomer in Denver’s anticipated beginning 5 to get rid of different surprises.

“I obtained rather a lot to study. They’ve rather a lot to find out about me and the way I play. For me, I obtained 4 guys to attempt to study to play with. They solely have one,” Caldwell-Pope mentioned. “I attempt to slot in as a lot as potential, simply operating the ground in transition, get to the corners just like the coaches all the time emphasize and simply play protection.”

Jokic held out of a part of observe

The Nuggets ramped up the competitors degree at Wednesday’s observe, and Nikola Jokic was held out of elements for precautionary causes.

Jokic participated absolutely in Tuesday’s mild observe however sat out a number of the dwell parts Wednesday.

“We’re simply going to be good,” Malone mentioned. “His wrist is bothering him a bit of bit. Nothing main however it doesn’t actually make any sense to place him on the market and expose it to any additional contact.”

Jokic’s standing for Friday’s preseason sport in Chicago stays in query.