KCP’S pedigree was missing link

The Nuggets had all the ingredients for an NBA Finals run this season — Nikola Jokic’s all-around greatness, Jamal Murray’s sweet ball handling, Michael Porter Jr.’s board crashing and arc accuracy, Aaron Gordon’s above-therim brilliance.

The only thing missing was big-game experience.

Enter Kentavious Caldwell-pope, who won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers inside the NBA bubble in 2020.

The Nuggets acquired the sharp-shooting swingman along with veteran guard Ish Smith from the Washington Wizards last July in exchange for Monte Morris and Will Barton.

KCP, the quiet-until-heneeds-to-be player with a lethal outside shot, has been the calming presence on this squad that has sent Karl-anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis and Lebron James on early vacations and has designs on adding either Jimmy Butler or Jayson Tatum to that mix when the NBA Finals finally get here June 1.

“He’s just the ultimate leader, ultimate professional, comes in every day and works extremely hard, holds everyone accountable,” said fellow 2022-23 addition Bruce Brown Jr. “But he is the only one on this team who has won a championship. He knows what it takes and what we need to do. So, we gotta listen to that guy.”

Teammates and coaches say KCP isn’t so much in your face as he’s in your ear, dispensing advice, tips, guidance, encouragement and caution along the way as the Nuggets navigate a championship road they’ve never been down.

“I do it vocally, just talking, bringing that championship mentality that I have to my team now,” Caldwell-pope said, “and just tell them in moments like if they go on a run, it’s not the end of the day. Let’s just get back to doing what we do. Like I say, it’s

and building his network around the NBA. When Booth's circuitous path returned him to Washington five years later, there was already a friendship building.

"He really started to help me out and mentor me as far as the scouting aspect of it," said Booth, who accompanied Connelly on a handful of pre-draft scouting events even as a player. When Booth retired after the 2008-09 season, it was Connelly, then in New Orleans, who helped Booth land his first pro scouting job with the Pelicans.

"I think his perspective is a unique one," Connelly told The Post. "Played in the NBA after redshirting at Penn State speaks to his work ethic, and how hard the journey was. He played different roles throughout his career. I think he has an understanding and an empathy for players on the roster, 1 through 15."

After four years in Minnesota, including that 2016 draft when Booth identified Murray as a prospect with immense potential, he teamed up with Connelly yet again. Together, they planted the seeds of a championship contender.

"He's a really, really bright guy with a really unique and advanced all about being patient, being ready and defending.”

The Nuggets’ four-game sweep of the Lakers secured the franchise’s first Western Conference title and sent the Nuggets to their first NBA Finals appearance in their history and to their first championship series since they lost to Julius Erving and the New York Nets 4-2 in the ABA’S last season in 1976.

Those two teams, along with the Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs, joined the NBA in 1976-77 when the ABA disbanded. All the others reached the NBA Finals long before the Nuggets, who are appearing in their first league championship in their 47year history.

They might not made it without have KCP,

viewpoint towards the game," said Connelly, citing Booth's work-life balance and the support system he has with his family and wife, Keisha.

"A brilliant basketball mind," he added.

As the Nuggets inched closer to contention, Booth was there for each inflection point and learned some of Connelly's tendencies. He consistently prioritized talented, high-character players. Booth said the 2018 draft, where the Nuggets landed Michael Porter Jr. at No. 14, served as a significant moment in their rise.

"That was not an easy decision," Booth said. "… There was some discussion in the room prior to taking him. I know Mr. (Kroenke) was always 100% on board, Tim was always 100% on board with the concept, but he wanted to take the input of everybody in the room before he made the decision. I think drafting Michael was pivotal."

The Jerami Grant trade was an ambitious attempt to land a versatile defensive forward who could protect Jokic defensively, but that gambit backfired when Grant bolted in free agency. Less than two years later, the Nuggets struck whose on-the-court contributions are what Nuggets superstar Jokic appreciates the most.

Caldwell-pope was an integral part of the Lakers’ championship run in 2020, averaging 10.7 points and starting in all of LA’S 21 playoff games. He helped the Lakers beat the Nuggets in five games for the Western Conference title in the bubble.

What he’s brought the Nuggets isn’t just that championship pedigree but performance, Jokic said Saturday.

“Yes, he won a championship, but the best thing about KCP is he knows exactly what to do and where to be,” Jokic said. “And he’s doing that in the first game, the 70th game, the playoff game, Finals game, whatever game, he always does what he’s supposed to do and I think that’s the best way to describe him.”

Whether he’s doling out tips or quietly going about his business, KCP has been a big part of the Nuggets’ longest playoff drive in their history.

He’s averaged 11.7 points a game, up from 10.8 in the regular season, and 3.2 rebounds, up from 2.7, while reducing his turnovers from 1.1 to 0.7.

He’s turned in some of his best work these playoffs on defense.

“I feel like I’m always on a tough matchup,” Caldwell-pope said. “I pride myself on my defense. I look forward to being able to just get stops.”

gold with the Aaron Gordon trade. In Gordon, they gambled that a forward miscast in Orlando as a playmaker would thrive in a secondary role alongside Jokic. Gordon's presence made the pieces align.

"Every decision that we made, Cal had an impactful voice," Connelly said.

When Murray tore his ACL weeks later, their grand design was put on hold, only reigniting this season with a healthy roster intact and Connelly off to Minnesota. Booth's moves, in landing Caldwellpope, signing sixth man Bruce Brown and drafting rookie Christian Braun, strengthened a roster that was already in a position to contend.

Asked about his relationship with Connelly, whose fingerprints remain all over Denver's organization, Booth couldn't ignore the groundwork he'd laid.

"It's good," Booth said. "He's obviously rooting for our team … I feel like he still has strong connections with a lot of people, including myself, in the organization. Those will always be there."

Once the Finals begin, Connelly will be watching closely.

"They're all my friends," he said.