What does it matter if the final match had a level that was not in keeping with the supposed quality of the competition in which the best play, with an unusual repetition of failures. What does it matter when the victory meant for the Colorado Nuggets the first league title in the 47 years that the franchise competes in the NBA.
Denver finally entered the list of winning cities, surpassing Cleveland in the record for that wait to celebrate a title. The Nuggets beat the Miami Heat in the fifth game (94-89) and established a 4-1 that leads them to glory, among the delirium of their fans that packed the pavilion.
“Now, Nikola you’re already champion, what do you think?” the journalist asked the local star, once the victory was ratified. “Okay, we’ve done the job and now we can go home,” Jokic replied, the Serbian player who has appropriated the show, despite being the opposite of the divos, pure discretion even though he measures 2.13 meters, he has been the masterful piece for the trophy to stay in the Rocky Mountains.
After twice winning player of the league recognition, Jokic has been the key player for Denver all season and the decisive player in the playoffs. On several occasions he has achieved triple doubles (more than ten points, rebounds and assists) in this final phase, so it was sung that he would be chosen MVP in the decisive game.
He picked up his distinction with his daughter Ognjena, who has not yet turned two years old and who looked at everything between astonishment and curiosity. “This is a great group, this year has been magnificent. We won trophies, but I think we have a relationship that will go beyond our careers”, said the Serbian, more emotional than in the previous statement at the foot of the track. Jokic becomes the first MVP to be chosen (2014 draft) with the worst number of all those who have preceded him in this honor.
And that was not the best of his games in this series. He started with two personal fouls that took him to the bench longer than usual. However, his impact had as decisive an effect as on other occasions. He was the top scorer of the match, with 28 points, and added 16 rebounds and four assists.
Those from Miami came out strong and took the lead, especially due to the Nuggets’ continuous turnovers. But the locals came back due to the lack of success in the Heat’s shots.
Despite everything, the first quarter was taken by the visitors. The score was also in their favor at halftime (44-51) and at the end of the third period. The matter had much merit. Those from Florida make up a team in which up to nine players were left out of the selection or draft. Their main beacon is Jimmy Butler, who had a rough night.
He finished with 5 of 18 shots. He entered the decisive quarter with just eight points. Although in the decisive part he scored 13, he also had a loss when with 24 seconds to go they could take the lead. And then, when the distance opened up to three points, the triple that would have been the tie failed.
That’s where it all ended and euphoria overflowed in the pavilion. The calmest seemed Jokic, while his wife jumped for joy in the stands.
The Nuggets are considered the patience team. Jokic, after the draft, continued for another year in his country and joined the NBA in 2015. Then coach Michael Malone also arrived, a calm man and, above all, one who was allowed to work.
Along with the Serbian, a Canadian was paired up who answers for Jamal Murray, an architect of the game and a magnificent shooter. The two forged a deep friendship while laying the foundation. Others like Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter, the backbone, joined later.
No one despaired when Murray suffered a serious injury that sidelined him for more than a season. The process towards the title stopped when it seemed that they had entered the right path. They persevered. Until this Monday June 12, 2023.
Jokic looked happy, but content. In his line, that of the antidivo, little given to exhibitions on social networks, nor to interviews, nor to publicity boasts. “Basketball is not the most important thing in my life and probably never will be,” he assured days before winning his first ring.
