After sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers last night, there is no doubt in my mind that the Denver Nuggets will win their first ever NBA Championship in franchise history. The Nuggets are giving me 2011 Dallas Mavericks vibes right now. They have a superstar big man that is playing with zero All-Stars currently and are about to enter their first ever NBA Finals in franchise history.
Denver has been a team that was on people’s radars since the bubble. However, injuries have played a big part in why they have not made the NBA Finals until now. Denver is fully healthy and this team has great chemistry right now. Here are three reasons why the Nuggets will win the NBA Finals.
Jokic’s Historical Run
Nikola Jokic is having a postseason to remember so far. He is averaging 29.9 points per game to go along with 13.2 rebounds and 10.1 assists. Jokic is a huge reason why the Nuggets are having a fantastic run in the NBA postseason. He has nine triple-doubles so far this postseason and has been a big factor for the Nuggets. Now, Nowitzki set his career high in points per game in the playoffs during his run at his first ever title. Jokic could potentially break his career points per game in the playoffs that he set last season. However, he did that playing with no help around him. This year he has help around him and because of that help, the Nuggets are going to the NBA Finals.
Jamal Murray Is Finally Healthy
Jamal Murray has been getting disrespected this entire postseason in my opinion. This is his third postseason run with the Nuggets and this year he is topping bubble Jamal Murray in my opinion. He hasn’t been fully healthy since part of the 2020-2021 season. He missed the entire 2022-2023 campaign, and during the regular season he took it easy. When the lights shine bright Murray steps up in a huge way. Murray is averaging just under 28 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds per game and 6.2 assists per game. His shooting splits are 48/41/92. He has been a great number two option and has stepped up mightily for the Nuggets. When he is healthy alongside Jokic, these two are a very dangerous duo that you don’t want to see in the postseason.
Players Stepping Up
The Nuggets dynamic duo is playing really well. However, we need to give credit to the players that are stepping up in a huge way as well. Michael Porter Jr, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are just as important to this team’s success. Porter Jr is averaging 14.6 points per game to go along with 7.9 rebounds per game on a 47/41/79 shooting split. Gordon is averaging 12.4 points per game to go along with 5.5 rebounds per game and has been excellent on the defensive side of the floor. KCP is averaging 11.6 points per game to go along with 49/40/85 shooting splits. These three have been huge in Denver’s first ever run to the NBA Finals. If they continue to step up in a huge way like I believe that they will, Denver wins the title.
Conclusion
In order to win a title nowadays, you need a superstar, a good number two option, and guys that step up and contribute in big spots. The Nuggets have all three of these things and can compete with either the Heat or the Celtics in the NBA Finals. With Denver on television, the NBA Finals this season is for sure a must-watch. The Nuggets are on a warpath and don’t look like they are going to be stopped.