![]() “I think it’s 19 playoff games we’ve played, and from the lead-in week to the first round against Minnesota and throughout, and today, in our shootaround, our guys have been really locked in, focused. “Our guys have shown just great focus and discipline throughout the entirety of these playoffs,” he said. He didn’t want them thinking anything had been accomplished. He wanted to tap into their desperation, urgency and hunger. Heading into Monday’s potential closeout game, Malone told his team to envision a 3-1 deficit instead of a 3-1 edge. He didn’t mention them, but Dikembe Mutombo and Carmelo Anthony deserved credit, too, for their indelible imprints on the franchise. “So guys like … Dan Issel, Alex English, David Thompson, you can go on and on about naming all the guys that have worn this jersey or coached this team and done a hell of a job in doing so.” “I am thankful for Doug Moe and the guys that - players and coaches that were here in the past that have never gotten this far but I know are so proud of what we’ve achieved to this point,” Malone said. Down 71-70 heading into the fourth, the Nuggets had closed the gap and a championship was as close as it had ever been.Īs David Thompson took the ceremonial first shot on Monday night, Malone was sure to pay homage to the foundational pieces that helped get them to the doorstep. His basket felt like it lifted the weight of the world off the Nuggets’ shoulders. To that point, Denver was just 2 for 22 from 3, and he was 0 of 4. Porter drained a transition 3-pointer from the left wing that elicited a roar unlike any other basket until that moment. That is until Porter’s beautiful 3-point stroke arrived to Chopper Circle. From there, each possession felt like combat, with resistance and physicality intruding on all aesthetically pleasing aspects of the game. It lit a delirious fuse under Ball Arena. They ripped off a 16-9 run to start the second half that was capped with a Murray corner 3-pointer. It was an acknowledgment that the first half wasn’t close to adequate. Jokic became more assertive and sought to impose his physical edge on Miami’s paint. Knowing what was at stake, the Nuggets started hunting. “I learned a lot about myself,” Murray said with tears welling in his eyes after the game, having returned this season from an ACL tear. When history looks back on their championship, it shouldn’t dismiss how suffocating their defense was, especially in the second half. Entering Monday night’s clincher, they ranked fifth overall defensively among all playoff teams. Yes, the Nuggets were an offensive juggernaut, but their overlooked defense was equally important on their championship march. The beauty of a title is that they never have to apologize. 4-seed Suns team that many pundits picked to advance anyway. 7-seeded Lakers squad that was teeming with talent or a No. Monday’s historic win gave them an unimpeachable playoff record of 16-4, including 10-1 in their last 11 games. The Nuggets played - and steamrolled - their competition. Those who bemoaned Denver’s path to a championship were grasping at straws. “We believe in each other,” Jokic said from the postgame podium. Jokic, on both ends, would not be denied. Jimmy Butler paced the Heat with 21, and Bam Adebayo added 20, but neither was particularly efficient. Bruce Brown hounded and pounded the glass, including a clutch offensive rebound and putback with 1:30 remaining. Aaron Gordon snuffed a Kyle Lowry jumper, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope jumped the passing lanes. The Nuggets allowed only 18 points in the fourth quarter, swarming and swallowing any comeback attempt Miami tried. Their defense, in the clutch, was tenacious. “Can’t nobody tell me nothing,” Porter beamed. Porter joked he could’ve scored two points, or even zero points, and it wouldn’t have mattered. ![]() An adoring Nuggets nation roared even louder. “We’re not satisfied with one,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone roared from the podium. His soft touch around the rim was unstoppable.Īfter the team stormed the court for the trophy presentation, a raucous “M-V-P” chant boomed throughout the lower bowl. ![]() ![]() Jokic poured in 28 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. They knocked off the Miami Heat, 94-89, in Monday’s Game 5 to win the NBA Finals 4-1. An ugly defensive battle turned beautiful for the champion Nuggets. Jokic, once an obscure secondround pick, made sure of it. Not against the Heat’s vaunted defense, not against any remaining naysayers and not from spearheading the Nuggets’ first championship in franchise history.Ī 56-year wait, including 47 years since entering the NBA, ended on Monday night. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |