After 47 years the Denver Nuggets can finally call themselves NBA champions. These were the words of abc commentator Mike Breen in the closing seconds of an exhilarating 94-89 game 5 victory for the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets capped off one of the more dominant seasons in NBA history being the conference’s one seed since late December and never looking back en route to making quick work of their playoff competition with only the 2nd round series vs the suns going past 5 games.
The dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were absolutely electrifying all post season long. Jokic adding to his legacy this postseason by becoming the first player to record 500 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assist and also broke the record for most triple doubles by player this postseason. He averaged 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 7 assist to cap off one of the all time great postseason runs. Jamal Murray also had shining moments saved his best for the final 2 rounds; averaging 32 points on 50/40/90 shooting splits in the western conference finals, and then averaging a double double in the conference finals with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
The others stepped up for Denver all season long but especially in this series. Breakout scoring performances from Aaron Gordon in game 4 with 27 points and Bruce Brown with 21 points, Christian braun in game 3 with 15 points, and Michael Porter Jr. in game 5 with 16 points.
Finally Head Coach Michael Malone, an 8 year journey to the top of mountain is finally done. In an era were scapegoating coaches for playoff failure is the new normal, the Nuggets chose patience and stuck with their coach and their stars through the ups and down.
With one leagues best dynamic duo, solidified elite coach, and a core group of role players all under contract for next year the Nuggets are poised to repeat, and you’ll be fool to bet against them. It certainly will be harder, they won’t be able to “sneak up” in everyone like they did this year. And with players like Zion Williamson of the Pelicans and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George of the Clippers returning from injury, getting out the West is not a such a for gone conclusion as it was this year. As of now however the Denver Nuggets have to be looked at as the favorites for the 2024 NBA Championship
