6/1/23

Jay C. Brandriet

The Denver Nuggets have made it to their first ever NBA Finals.

Patience and loyalty pay. I see you Jim Fuchuck.

When facing Minnesota in the first round, I started to appreciate a couple of things about Denver.

Their pieces fit puzzle perfect.

It’s like a deep movie cast, and every character makes sense.

Their discipline and firepower make up for whatever happens on defense.

When their bench guys are hoisting up threes, it has the vibe of trusted starters.

Three years ago, Tony Abbott told me, “Jamal Murray is better than Donovan Mitchell.”

I didn’t agree.

If he said that today, I might be a buyer.

Nikola Jokic’ is ready to take the crown of best player on earth.

At age 28, he’s flirting with the word legend.

Denver exposed the Suns lack of depth and sent KD and Booker fishing.

In the West Finals, I thought the rugged Lakers would be too much for the Nuggets.

Gulp.

I was wrong.

They made quick work of L.A.

It was a mature sweep, as every game was close.

I was blown away when Denver took Game 3 on the road.

From that moment on May 20th, I’ve expected the Nuggets to be hanging a title banner.

LeBron James noted, “this Denver squad is the best AD and I have faced in our four seasons here together.”

THE EAST

I assumed the Boston Celtics would provide a bigger hill for Denver in the Finals.

The Miami Heat apparently didn’t care.

They took down Boston and Milwaukee, the beasts of the East.

Now Miami is in Denver tonight to compete for some rings.

Nick Wright made some solid points about how a champion will often be “knocking on the door of a title for a few years before they break through”, and the Heat have been knocking.

JJ Redick was talking about the zone they use and how “Miami makes good teams look bad.”

This is Pat Riley/Heat culture.

Erik Spoelstra is elite.

Jimmy Butler has turned himself into one of the unique, greats in basketball.

He’s one of the faces of “a foxhole guy.”

Bam Adebayo is putting together a low-key Hall of Fame career.

Those two are surrounded by veterans and undrafted studs that really make it work.

The Heat feel more dangerous by the hour.

WHO WILL WIN THE 2023 NBA FINALS?

Eighth seeded, 44-win teams don’t fit the usual description of a future champ.

However, the Heat’s momentum and bite is believable.

Miami feels like the better story.

Denver feels like the better team.

Add in their hunger and humility……

I like the Nuggets in a competitive six.

Jay C. Brandriet