After 47 LONG years, the Denver Nuggets can finally call themselves NBA Champions!
The Western Conference’s #1 seed had a remarkable, 16-4 record in the postseason - though they made it look easy, it was an arduous road to the top.
After Jamal Murray tore his ACL back in 2021, there were some feelings that the Nuggets had the potential to suffer a similar fate to other, recent powerhouses from yesteryear. There was a brief thought that the team would never be the same: similar to the 2000 Trail Blazers, 2002 Sacramento Kings & 2006 Phoenix Suns, maybe Denver just did not have enough luck on their side to reach their ultimate goal.
However, they never wavered from competitiveness due to multiple reasons: the incredible play of 2x MVP Nikola Jokić (continued to elevate his teammates & Denver’s fan base in the midst of various injuries) & the strategy & spirit of coach Mike Malone.
At the young age of 26, Jokić is already a Hall of Famer, possibly (definitely) a Top 75 All-Timer, and, now, an NBA Champion. After becoming the 1st player in league history to lead the ENTIRE POSTSEASON in points (600), rebounds (269), and assists (190)!!!, there’s no questioning his greatness - a true, Undisputed Franchise talent, Jokić is just that guy.
And while he didn’t need a title to affirm his greatness, it solidified his team’s unwavering belief - throughout difficult circumstances, Denver never shied away from its core leader (or group). Instead, they cultivated talent and added the requisite pieces to eventually get the job done.
NIKOLA JOKIĆ
2023 NBA FINALS MVP! • Avg. 30.2 ppg, 14 rpg, 7.2 apg
Following a season where he did not play a single second, Jamal Murray rebounded from his ACL tear and elevated his game to beyond an All-Star level in the postseason: avg. over 26 points & 7 dimes. The deadly, two-man game between Jokić & Murray proved unstoppable for every opponent, a direct result of the chemistry they’ve built over the years.
It’s a lesson to never give up on your core guys, especially if they constantly showcase improvement over the years. Gradually adding key role players like Michael Porter Jr. (2018), Aaron Gordon (2021), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2021) & Bruce Brown Jr. (2022) helped to round out a beautifully balanced lineup for Coach Malone.
Everyone sacrificed a bit of their game to win it all: Gordon transformed from more of a two-way force (in Orlando) to a true, defensive, do-it-all role player.
MPJ made a point to play hard defensively despite inconsistencies offensively.
KCP, the most tenured starter, quickly adapted as a much-needed, two-way SG.
And Bruce Brown went from being a 6’4, F/C (in Brooklyn) to one of the game’s most adaptable combo guards. It’s no coincidence that each of them had their “moment in the sun” during the Finals.
Jokić & Murray poured in star performances all postseason long - their efforts, though, were aided by an amazing supporting cast, filled with talented players who all bought into playing a role on a winning team.
Denver fans should rejoice and appreciate the 2022-23 Nuggets. Not just for breaking the championship drought but for their selflessness & willingness to look out for the next man, regardless of their place on the team. Jokić sets the tone in that regard - a formerly, “cast off” prospect drafted during a Taco Bell commercial back in 2014, you won’t find a more team-first superstar in the game today.
And with Mike Malone’s confidence (was talking about a repeat as soon as Game 5 of the Finals ended!) and the main lineup staying together, there’s no reason why a dynasty can’t take shape.
Now, that’s a daunting proposition in today’s NBA. That said, if you look at stats alone, Denver was the league’s best team all year long and practically RAN THRU everyone in the playoffs.
And with the game’s best duo leading the way, the Mile High City could become the standard of modern, NBA basketball before too long.
2022-23 DENVER NUGGETS
FINAL ROSTER 🏆
DENVER NUGGETS
2023 NBA CHAMPIONS!
NIKOLA JOKIĆ • DIFFERENT BREED, NBA CHAMPION, FINALS MVP!, 2x MVP, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star
• All-time Playoffs & Finals (run) from one of the best centers (players) to ever grace the court. No ill will shall ever be uttered regarding his ability to lead a team to the Promised Land; one of the game’s most uniquely dominant forces - broke a bunch of records & played at an unprecedented level en route to his 1st trophy
JAMAL MURRAY • TOP DOG, NBA CHAMPION
• (Already a) Canadian legend; resilient, upped level of production throughout Denver’s entire postseason run; super underrated playmaker; one of the smoothest/clutch-est, high-octane scoring guards in the game today
AARON GORDON • STAR UNDERDOG, NBA CHAMPION
• Absolute star in his role in Denver: went from a hybrid scorer in Orlando to a true, two-way matchup problem who drew the toughest defensive assignment on a nightly basis - DEN does NOT win a title without AG playing at a very high level
MICHAEL PORTER JR. • STAR UNDERDOG, NBA CHAMPION
• Super talented scorer who worked on other aspects of his game (namely on the glass and defensively) - embraced “playing a role” for a greater good; natural shooter who played a large part in Denver’s Game 5 clincher v. Miami
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE • HYBRID, 2x! NBA CHAMPION
• KCP: 2x NBA Champ! - timely shot-maker, intense defender, and reliable veteran who beautifully balances Denver’s high-powered starting lineup; instant success after arriving via trade in the 2022 offseason
BRUCE BROWN JR. • STAR UNDERDOG, NBA CHAMPION
• DEN’s Swiss-Army knife/6th Man off the bench; went from combo guard to “undersized roll man” (in Brooklyn) back to a versatile, two-way threat in Denver; due for a nice payday in the summer, has already expressed interest in running it back w/ the champs
JEFF GREEN • HYBRID, NBA CHAMPION
• Former Seattle Sonics! draftee & Georgetown Hoya - finally got his championship trophy in Year 15; inspirational player/story who overcame difficult health issues and has experienced a very long & successful career; indispensable veteran in Coach Malone’s rotation
CHRISTIAN BRAUN • ROOK, NBA CHAMPION
• 3x state champion in HS —> 2022 NCAA Champ —> 2023 NBA Champ!; Braun is a winner who quickly bought into a role as a slasher/defender in the league; stayed ready after losing his rotation spot midseason & poured in impressive performances throughout the Playoffs/Finals
DEANDRE JORDAN • SALTY DOG, NBA CHAMPION
• 1st member of “Lob City” to earn a title!; excellent vet who’s earned a ton of accolades in the game of basketball: All-Star, All-NBA, Olympic Gold Medalist…can now add “NBA Champion” to his resume
REGGIE JACKSON • SALTY DOG, NBA CHAMPION
• Acquired via the LA Clippers at the trade deadline; veteran, scoring guard who played sparingly after being acquired; could stick around for a backup spot behind J. Murray in 2024
PEYTON WATSON • ROOK, NBA CHAMPION
• Selected 30th overall in 2022 outta UCLA - great, two-way upside; will benefit a ton after experiencing the highest level of success (in the perfect organization) at a young age
ISH SMITH • SALTY DOG, NBA CHAMPION
• 13-year vet who’s on his 13TH NBA team - an unlucky number for some, it’s a special one for Ish, who finally tasted championship gold for the first time after being a consummate playmaker at each stop
ZEKE NNAJI • UNDERDOG, NBA CHAMPION
• Young, untapped scoring 4/5 who’s been in the Mile High City for a few years; might capture the primary backup spot behind Joker in 2024
THOMAS BRYANT • UNDERDOG, NBA CHAMPION
• Acquired at the trade deadline from the LA Lakers; did not play a huge role following arrival in Denver but is always a tremendous teammate who’s ready to add offensive value whenever given a chance
VLATKO CANCAR • UNDERDOG, NBA CHAMPION
• Undervalued Slovenian, scoring forward who saw a nice chunk of rotation minutes midway thru the year; adds depth for DEN as they hope to repeat in 2024
COLLIN GILLESPIE • 2WAY ROOK, NBA CHAMPION
• (2018) NCAA Champ —> NBA Champ like fellow rook Christian Braun; could play a role in the future (once he fully recovers from the leg injury that sidelined him for the entire 2022-23 season)
JACK WHITE • 2WAY ROOK, NBA CHAMPION
• 2Way Rook by way of Australia; fearless, basket driver who played sparingly - got 1st taste of NBA action on Oct. 26th, 2022