Do y'all think Deftones are Nu-Metal?

I've heard so much ppl sayin that Deftones aren't Nu-Metal (mostly because of their sound change that started on White Pony bein more Alternative Metal or even Alternative Rock) and its okay, but is right to catalogue Deftones like a Nu-Metal band only for Adrenaline, Around The Fur and part of White Pony? My opinion is only: Yes, it is okay because even if their sound changed, the Nu-Metal sound was there and they became known for that Nu-Metal sound even if it changed later, but i would love to see yout opinion :p