2025-11-12 12:00
I still remember watching the 2023 NBA Finals with that mix of anticipation and skepticism that only true basketball fans understand. The Denver Nuggets were facing the Miami Heat in what would become one of the most memorable championship runs in recent history. As someone who's followed the NBA for over two decades, I've seen championship teams come and go, but there was something special about this Nuggets squad that caught my attention from the start. They weren't just winning games—they were rewriting how basketball could be played when you have a generational talent like Nikola Jokić leading the charge.
The journey to their first NBA championship in franchise history wasn't just about talent—it was about resilience, a quality I've come to appreciate more with each season I cover. Watching their playoff run reminded me of that crucial moment in the Magnolia game where Lassiter kept shooting despite missing his first three three-pointers. That same relentless spirit defined the Nuggets throughout the playoffs. They faced elimination scenarios, injuries, and tremendous pressure, yet like Lassiter who refused to go scoreless from beyond the arc, they never lost faith in their system or their identity. Jokić in particular embodied this mentality—even when his three-point shooting dipped during certain stretches, he kept taking those shots when they mattered, finishing the playoffs with an impressive 46.1% from deep in the finals series itself.
What really stood out to me was how the Nuggets built their championship roster. Unlike superteams that form through free agency, Denver developed their core through the draft and strategic acquisitions. Jokić was the 41st pick in 2014—a fact that still astonishes me when I consider his impact. Jamal Murray was selected 7th in 2016, and Michael Porter Jr. fell to them at 14th in 2018 due to injury concerns. Their general manager, Calvin Booth, made what I consider one of the most underrated moves by acquiring Aaron Gordon in 2021. This organic growth created incredible chemistry that you simply can't manufacture overnight. I've always believed that homegrown teams have a special connection, and watching the Nuggets celebrate their championship confirmed this theory in the most spectacular fashion.
Their playoff statistics tell a story of dominance that I haven't seen since perhaps the Warriors' peak years. The Nuggets went 16-4 throughout the postseason, with Jokić averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists—numbers that still boggle my mind when I look at them. What impressed me most wasn't just the statistics but how they achieved them. Their offense flowed through Jokić in a way that reminded me of the great European centers, but with a modern twist. The "two-man game" between Jokić and Murray was virtually unstoppable, generating approximately 42.3 points per game between them during the finals. As an analyst, I've rarely seen such perfect offensive synergy between two players.
The coaching philosophy of Michael Malone deserves special mention from my perspective. He implemented a system that maximized every player's strengths while masking their limitations. Rather than forcing players into rigid roles, he created what I like to call "positionless basketball within structure." This approach allowed players like Bruce Brown to thrive in multiple roles, and it enabled Jeff Green to contribute meaningfully despite being in his late 30s. Malone's adjustments throughout the playoffs—particularly how he managed the rotation against Miami's zone defense—were masterclasses in coaching that I'll be studying for years to come.
Looking back at their championship-clinching Game 5 victory, what stands out in my memory is how they closed out the series. Leading by 7 points with under three minutes remaining, they demonstrated the composure of veterans rather than a team experiencing their first finals appearance. That final possession where Jokić secured his 16th rebound and immediately called timeout showed the basketball IQ that separates champions from contenders. The confetti raining down as the clock hit zero created one of those sports moments that I know I'll remember forever—the kind that reminds you why you fell in love with basketball in the first place.
The legacy of this championship, in my view, extends beyond just Denver's first title. It represents a shift in how teams can be built and how the center position has evolved. Jokić has redefined what's possible for big men, demonstrating that court vision and basketball intelligence can be more valuable than traditional athleticism. As the current NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets have provided a blueprint that I suspect many teams will attempt to emulate in the coming years. Their victory wasn't just about winning a title—it was about validating an entire philosophy of basketball that prioritizes skill, teamwork, and perseverance above all else. And frankly, as someone who values the fundamental beauty of the game, I couldn't be happier about that.
