2025-11-20 12:01
Let me take you back to that incredible night in June when the Denver Nuggets completed their remarkable journey to the 2023 NBA championship. As someone who has followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous championship runs, but there was something particularly special about how this team carved their path to glory. The confetti had barely settled when I found myself thinking about how perfectly their journey mirrored what we often see in championship teams across different leagues - that perfect blend of talent, timing, and sheer determination.
The Nuggets' championship story really began years before, with the patient development of their core players. Nikola Jokić, drafted 41st overall in 2014, became the centerpiece of what would become one of the most formidable offenses in recent memory. What impressed me most wasn't just his individual brilliance - though his 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in the Finals certainly qualified as brilliant - but how he elevated everyone around him. Jamal Murray's return from that devastating ACL injury provided the emotional backbone of their run, and watching him score 26.1 points per game throughout the playoffs felt like witnessing a storybook comeback.
Their playoff run was nothing short of dominant, losing only four games total before reaching the Finals. They swept Kevin Durant's Suns in the second round, which honestly surprised me given Phoenix's offensive firepower. Then they handled LeBron James and the Lakers with a clean 4-0 sweep in the Western Conference Finals. The Finals against Miami presented a fascinating contrast in team-building philosophies. The Heat, with their undrafted players and gritty defense, represented one approach to team construction, while Denver's homegrown stars showcased another. Miami put up a tremendous fight, stealing Game 2 in Denver, but the Nuggets' composure in closing out the series in five games demonstrated their championship mettle.
Thinking about team construction reminds me of conversations happening in basketball circles worldwide, including comments from coaches like Tim Cone about managing player availability across different competitions. After Barangay Ginebra's PBA Commissioner's Cup win over Meralco, Cone discussed strategic player rest, noting, "For sure, he won't be playing [in the Asia Cup]. Hopefully, he would start to play sometime in the World Cup qualifiers." This balancing act between immediate success and long-term planning resonates with what we saw from Denver's front office. Their patience in developing players, resisting panic trades, and building continuity paid off spectacularly.
What really stood out to me was Denver's offensive system. The Nuggets averaged 115.8 points per game in the playoffs with an offensive rating of 118.7, numbers that would make any analytics department proud. But beyond the statistics, their style of basketball was just beautiful to watch. The constant movement, the unselfish passing, the way every player understood their role - it was basketball poetry. Michael Malone deserves tremendous credit for creating an environment where players bought into something bigger than individual statistics.
The championship-clinching Game 5 provided the perfect culmination. With 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists from Jokić, who rightfully earned Finals MVP honors, Denver closed out Miami 94-89 in a defensive struggle that showcased their versatility. They could win shootouts, and they could win grind-it-out games - the mark of a truly complete team.
Looking back, what I'll remember most about this championship isn't just the trophy celebration, but how Denver built this team against conventional wisdom. In an era of superstar team-ups and constant roster turnover, they proved that continuity, culture, and homegrown talent can still win championships. Their journey offers lessons for teams across all levels of basketball - sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make, and sometimes patience really is the ultimate virtue in team building. As the basketball world turns toward next season, Denver's blueprint will undoubtedly influence how organizations approach team construction for years to come.
