It has been 56 years since the team was founded, 47 years since the transfer to the NBA, 9 years since the draft of Nikola Jokic, and 3 years since the out-of-season injury. By any standard, it was a long journey. The Denver Nuggets are on the NBI throne. Finally.
Denver beat the Miami Heat 94-89 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, USA on the 13th (Korean time) and won the 5th game of the 2022-2023 Mi Pro Basketball Championship (7 matches, 4 wins), winning the championship with a total of 4 wins and 1 loss in the series. lifted up Denver, which started as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967 and joined NBI in 1974, did not win the championship anywhere else during this period. It is the first win in club history.
The number one contributor to Denver’s glory was Yokichi, an all-weather center. Jokichi, who was unanimously selected as the MVP of the championship after the game, recorded 30.2 points, 14 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. Half of the 20 playoff games (10 games) were decorated with ‘triple doubles’. The cumulative record of 20 games was 600 points, 269 rebounds and 190 assists, becoming the first player in history to rank first in all three indicators in the postseason.
Jokic is a monster who pulls out terrifying numbers without ups and downs in every game, but he is also a humble star who always puts the team first. After the championship was confirmed, he did not cheer or smile, but first visited the Miami players and comforted them. In an on-the-field interview, he said, “(Miami is) a respectable and amazing team.” He continued, “It was a tough game, but we figured out how to defend. They only scored 89,” he said.
In addition, outstanding members such as Jeomal Murray, the league’s best strong-hearted shooter, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon assisted Jokic as the closest and led Denver’s ‘team basketball’. Except for Gordon, all three are franchise stars that Denver raised through the draft. Jokić was an unknown Serbian player who was nominated with the 41st pick in the 2014 draft, and Murray is a case of returning from a long-term injury in 2021 ‘season out’ after his 2016 debut.
Denver, united as a ‘one team’ under the direction of coach Michael Malone, has been in a state of disarray this season. After finishing the regular season as the leader in the Western Conference, they swept the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1, Phoenix Suns 4-2, and Los Angeles Lakers 4-4 in the playoffs. Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, who gave up the second round, said, “Jokic will go down as one of the best centers in history.”토토사이트
Standing on the champions podium, Malone said, “Everyone’s hard work, dedication and sacrifice culminated in this win. I have news. It is that we are not satisfied with just one,” he said, revealing his aspirations for a second consecutive championship win.
