The Miami Heat Face A Familiar NBA Finals Foe In Denver Nuggets Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Miami Heat last faced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the 2020 NBA Finals when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers

There are some players the Miami Heat are familiar with in the NBA Finals. 

Guys like Tim Duncan, Danny Green, Dirk Nowitzki and Kawhi Leonard were players they had to account for on multiple occasions. 

Then, there are quiet rivals like Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He can win his second title against the Heat after defeating them in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

KCP, as he is known around the league, talked about the team maintaining their focus waiting for the Eastern conference champion.

“Our focus is tremendous,” he said. “Even though we had this long period of time off, everybody still has the same mindset. They haven't faded away. Everybody still has the same energy, they're just ready to play. Feeling a little antsy, but I’m just ready to get out there.”

Caldwell-Pope is averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in the playoffs. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray produce as the top players while he rounds out the starting five with Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon. Though inconsistent at times, Caldwell-Pope still holds it down as a solid point guard during his first season with the team.

He is the only player on the team with championship experience, which they could use to their advantage. The Heat boast Finals experience among most of their players, with veterans Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry winning on their former teams.

"We have guys, it'll be their first time in the Finals," Nuggets coach Mike Malone said. "We have guys in KCP that have won a championship before. That should be the narrative."

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.