It was logical. It was predictable. Still, it was magical and funnily stressful.
After 47 years of existence, the Denver Nuggets finally have their first title.
In front of their fans, the stars and support staff ended a near-perfect season in idyllic fashion. Thanks to a comeback in the third quarter, the Nuggets defeated the Heat 94-89 Monday night at the Ball Arena and confirmed their dominance by winning in five games in the NBA Finals.
It’s the crowning of a team, but also the consecration of Nikola Jokic as the current best player in the NBA. Following his Seasonal Most Valuable Player honors in 2021 and 2022, he added the Bill Russell Trophy, awarded to the playoffs Most Valuable Player.
While finishing second in the polls this season, the Serbian giants have proven they can take their game up another notch in precious moments. On the decisive night, he once again courted the 30-point mark, thanks to a collection of 28.
True to form, he celebrated very modestly, away from the spotlight and with his family. This Larry-O’Brien trophy still made him smile.
“It’s good [to be champion]. I can go home now,” he told ESPN on the court.
Like Jokic’s game, the community dictated the pace for the Nuggets. Jokic’s sidekick, Canadian Jamal Murray, best embodied this narrative.
After missing 18 months with a knee injury, the Ontarian provided the support Jokic needed to secure the first title of his career.
Yes, he was spectacular in shooting the baskets, but his impressive average of 10 assists per game in the final series perfectly illustrated the idea of collectiveness that reigns in the Nuggets.
Murray’s eyes watered after that coronation. Before thanking his father, he recalled that Nuggets critics were wrong to bet against them. After this conclusion, it will be hard to blame them for anything.
The team was flawless throughout the playoffs, posting a 16-4 overall record and, crucially, 10-1 at home.
With or without Jokic, the Nuggets were a power and offered solid, tight play and above all, to respect the motto of the evening, basketball deprived of individuality.
During their run in the playoffs, the Heat pulled off so many magic tricks that it was almost possible to see them be the second team in history to come from behind 1-3 to win the ultimate series. .
The Heat first went through two play-off games to advance to the playoffs. Then, as the eighth seed, he upset the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics before making it to the Finals.
Throughout this journey, he has been led by Jimmy Butler. The 33-year-old American, who was trying to end his eternal quest for the title, had been decisive in particular against the Bucks.
Still on a mission, he put three uninspired quarterbacks behind him to keep his club alive in the final period. Butler scored 13 points in a row for the visitors and gave his side a lead with two minutes to go.
The savior, however, got lost in his campaign. He committed a costly turnover late in the game, then took a shot from an impossible angle that sealed the game.
It was Butler’s second final appearance, and the clock is ticking fast for the winger to clinch a title.
As for the Nuggets, they have everything in place to come back strong for a second triumph in 2024.
