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Photo Courtesy: CBS News

After a 56 year history of a team that only ever got them to the Western Conference Finals twice, once with Jokic, the Nuggets finally did it and beat the Miami Heat in an interesting 5 game series. Although, this Finals wasn’t filled with such excitement as it normally ends up being year after year, we still saw one of the most efficient teams in the Denver Nuggets, face off against the Unlikely Miami Heat. The funniest thing being, the 1 seed in this Finals was probably the underdog to the eyes of the NBA fans. Each matchup the Nuggets had it was always a question of why the other team would lose, but never why did the Nuggets dominate them. Even up against a 7th seeded Los Angeles Lakers team, they still weren’t favored from fans to beat them, yet they even swept the Lakers.

This was a postseason of firsts for Denver as beating the Lakers 4-0 was their first ever playoff sweep in their franchise history, as well as the first center in their franchise history, as well as NBA history, to post a 30-20-10 game in the NBA Finals. We can even go down the historic Finals run the duo of Jokic and Murray had in being the first pair since the 1987-88 NBA season where Magic Johnson and James Worthy posted a 25 point, 10 rebound game. Jokic also joined the likes of Jason Kidd as the only players in NBA history to have a triple double in their Finals debut. Jokic and Murray also became the first teammates in NBA History to ever record a 30-point, triple double in the same game. To then top it all off, Jokic then became the first NBA player in history to have 500 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single postseason run. This all led to Jokic being unanimously voted as NBA Finals MVP, being the lowest ranked draft pick to win the honors, so much for a guy who got drafted during a Taco Bell commercial.

Photo Courtesy: NBC News

Miami from game 1 was staggered with a star in Jimmy Butler being held to only 13 points, as well as 6-14 from the field. Really it came down to the amazing defensive play that Denver had, however, it seemed Miami was its own crutch at times. I understand it may not be the smartest to try a shot when you are in between two defenders in the paint, however, when you’re already past one and nobody is in the paint to catch a dish, its best to just try it. Bam was the leading point scorer at 21.8 PPG, only 0.2 PPG over Butler, and though the effort was there, the shooting on this team was atrociously needed. Between the undrafted stars of Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, and Gabe Vincent, they all averaged barely 26.6 PPG combined, with only Duncan Robinson averaging 50% from the field, and 40% from 3. Yet, only averaging 7.8 PPG in this Finals series, a lot more was asked for from Robinson and the trio as a whole.

Photo Courtesy: NBA.com

The Nuggets however seemed way over the Heat in ever aspect of quality, it seemed like this was not their first trip to the finals at all. Take for instance the new age Boston Celtics last year who seemed very balanced as a team, yet when it came to Finals, choked under pressure and could not find the 3 at all. Under the genius mind of Mike Malone, the Nuggets seemed balanced, if they were missing 3s, they’d simply go inside, and if they started getting crowded in the paint, they’d bring in shooters to get open for the dish outside. It was beautiful basketball reminiscent of a San Antonio Spurs, if they had the 3 ball added into their gameplan.

With all of this talk and of course Miami putting on a good show regardless, I think the story of the Nuggets winning their first championship is almost the same feeling when the Milwaukee Bucks won in 2021, it shows that hard work and determination can get you anywhere with any team or mindset, and if they continue to knock you down or count you out, you simply just outperform them and show them why you’re much better. We talk about Kawhi back in Toronto, LeBron in 2016 with the Cavs, and even Jordan any year he won with the Bulls, yet these championships feel so much more special. Players like Jokic, Giannis, Butler, Curry, etc. These guys weren’t really seen as franchise players from day one, as in comparison to LeBron, Durant, and Jordan. Although these amazing names were already bread winners, and it’s not even to discredit anything from them, these names are etched amongst greats regardless. Yet, when we see the underdog win, it always makes us appreciate that team or franchise player just that little bit more, because you know they were told many times they couldn’t do it, and yet they just did, and it is amazing. Also, if you’re not careful they may do it again, and again, and again. Congrats to the 2023 NBA Champs, the Denver Nuggets.