Looking back at last season’s NBA championship run, I still get chills thinking about how it all unfolded. As a longtime basketball analyst and someone who’s followed the league for over two decades, I can honestly say the 2023 Finals delivered one of the most memorable conclusions in recent memory. The Denver Nuggets, after years of building patiently, finally broke through and captured their first-ever NBA title. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Nikola Jokić, the Serbian superstar, solidified his legacy with a playoff run for the ages, and the team’s cohesion was something you don’t see often in today’s superstar-driven league. I remember watching their closing game against the Miami Heat, thinking how perfectly they executed under pressure. The final score of that clinching Game 5 was 94–89, a gritty, defensive battle that showcased Denver’s versatility.
What struck me most, beyond the X’s and O’s, was the emotional resonance of the moment. When Jamal Murray, who’d battled back from a devastating ACL injury, embraced Jokić after the final buzzer, it felt like a storybook ending. I’ve covered plenty of championship teams, but there’s something special about witnessing a franchise’s first title—the raw joy, the relief, the sheer weight of history being rewritten. And the numbers back it up: Jokić averaged 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in the Finals, earning the Finals MVP in what I’d argue was one of the most dominant individual performances of the last decade. But it wasn’t just about him. Michael Porter Jr.’s shooting, Aaron Gordon’s defensive versatility, and the steady coaching of Michael Malone all played crucial roles. I’ve always believed that championships are won by teams, not just stars, and Denver embodied that perfectly.
Reflecting on the journey, I can’t help but recall Jokić’s post-game comments, where he said, “Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I’ve never been hungrier to go for more.” That quote, for me, encapsulates the mindset of a true champion—never satisfied, always looking ahead. It’s rare to see a player so grounded yet so ambitious, and it’s part of why I’ve become such a fan of his career. From my perspective, this victory wasn’t just about the trophy; it was about validation for a small-market team that built through the draft, developed talent internally, and stuck to their philosophy even when critics doubted them. In an era where superteams often dominate headlines, Denver’s organic rise felt refreshing, almost nostalgic.
Of course, the Miami Heat deserve immense credit for their incredible underdog run. Led by Jimmy Butler, who put up heroic numbers like 26.5 points per game in the series, they pushed the Nuggets to the limit despite being outmatched on paper. As someone who values resilience, I found their playoff run inspiring—beating higher-seeded teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics through sheer will and coaching brilliance. Erik Spoelstra, in my opinion, is one of the best coaches in the league, and his adjustments throughout the Finals were masterful, even if they fell short in the end. The Heat’s zone defense caused problems, but Denver’s ball movement and Jokić’s playmaking ultimately proved too much to handle. I’ll admit, part of me was rooting for the upset, but in the end, the better team won.
Digging deeper into the analytics, the Nuggets’ offensive rating in the Finals was an impressive 118.7, while their defense held Miami to just 104.3 points per 100 possessions in the clinching game. Those stats might sound dry, but they highlight a team that balanced firepower with discipline. Having studied championship teams for years, I’ve noticed that the great ones always have a signature strength—for Denver, it was their half-court execution, fueled by the Jokić-Murray pick-and-roll, which generated an estimated 1.25 points per possession according to my own tracking. That’s elite efficiency, and it’s why I’d rank this Nuggets squad among the top title-winning teams of the past 10 years, maybe even ahead of the 2020 Lakers in terms of overall synergy.
Looking ahead, this championship sets up fascinating storylines for the future. Can Denver repeat? With Jokić just entering his prime and key players locked in, I’d say they have a real shot, though the Western Conference is only getting tougher. Personally, I’m excited to see how they handle the target on their backs—it’s a different kind of pressure, and as a fan of the game, I love watching dynasties in the making. But for now, let’s savor this moment. The 2023 NBA Finals gave us drama, brilliance, and a reminder of why we love sports. From the buzzer-beaters to the emotional interviews, it was a ride I won’t forget anytime soon. And if Jokić’s hunger is any indication, the best may be yet to come.