Lakers-Turned-Denver Starter Talks Differences Between LeBron James, Nikola Jokic

His answer will surprise you.

Two former Los Angeles Lakers-turned-Denver Nuggets, shooting guard/small forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and center Thomas Bryant, have been firsthand witnesses to the historic greatness exhibited both by Lakers All-NBA small forward LeBron James and Nuggets All-NBA center Nikola Jokic.

At a postgame presser following Denver's Game 1 victory over LA, Caldwell-Pope spoke with reporters about the differences between the two stars. He did not offer up a serious response.

KCP on the similarities of playing with LeBron and Jokic:

"I feel like the only difference is that Bron can jump higher than Jokic."

(via @NBA)

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 17, 2023

"I feel like the only difference is that Bron can jump higher than Jokic, I think that's the only difference that I can see," KCP joked. "I just love playing with Jokic, man. Willing passer, just [a] dominant big man down there. Just seeing him do what he [does] gets everybody else going as well."

Along with Bruce Brown, Caldwell-Pope is the other significant difference on the wing for Denver this season. He remains a great floor-spacing 3-and-D wing, a player Los Angeles has missed ever since including him in the misguided deal that landed LA a washed-up Russell Westbrook in 2021, who can't shoot or defend consistently.

Through 12 starts in these playoffs, Caldwell-Pope is averaging is averaging 11.4 points on .485/.389/.889 shooting splits, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.

KCP was a critical part of the Lakers' 2019-20 championship season, as the kind of floor-spacing starter who helps make LeBron James and Anthony Davis' life easy.

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