As I sit down to reflect on last year's NBA championship, I can't help but marvel at how the Denver Nuggets carved their path to basketball immortality. Having followed the league for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous championship runs, but there was something particularly special about Denver's journey that captured my imagination from the opening tip of the finals. The way they systematically dismantled the Miami Heat in five games demonstrated a level of basketball sophistication we haven't seen since the Spurs' heyday. Let me walk you through what made this championship so compelling, starting with that crucial Game 1 where Miami's early struggles set the tone for the entire series.
I remember watching Game 1 unfold with growing excitement as Denver established their dominance right from the opening quarter. The Nuggets came out with an intensity that frankly surprised me - I expected them to start slowly given their relative inexperience on this stage. Instead, they jumped to an early lead that ballooned to as much as eight points within the first six minutes, leaving Miami coach Erik Spoelstra searching for answers during an early timeout. That initial burst was crucial because it established Denver's physical and mental superiority from the outset. Nikola Jokic, who I've long argued is the most skilled big man in NBA history, demonstrated why he's simply unguardable when he's in this kind of form. His stat line of 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in the opener set the template for what would become one of the most dominant individual finals performances I've ever witnessed.
What impressed me most throughout the series was Denver's ability to maintain control even when Miami threatened to make runs. Game 2 provided the perfect example - Miami fought back valiantly after that demoralizing Game 1 loss, but Denver always had an answer. Jamal Murray's scoring explosions in the third quarters became almost predictable in their brilliance, and I found myself waiting for those moments when he would simply take over games. His 34-point outburst in Game 3, including 12 straight points during one stretch, showcased the kind of shot-making that separates good teams from champions. Having watched Murray's journey back from that devastating ACL injury, there was something profoundly satisfying about seeing him perform at this level on basketball's biggest stage.
The tactical battle between coaches Michael Malone and Erik Spoelstra provided fascinating subplots throughout the series. Malone's decision to start Aaron Gordon on Jimmy Butler proved particularly inspired, using Gordon's physicality to disrupt Miami's primary scorer. Meanwhile, Spoelstra's adjustments - like moving Caleb Martin into the starting lineup - showed why he's considered among the coaching elite, even if they ultimately couldn't overcome Denver's superiority. I've always believed that championship series are won through these subtle coaching decisions as much as player performances, and this series provided ample evidence to support that view.
Game 4 offered Miami their best chance to get back into the series, and they nearly pulled it off in what turned out to be the most competitive contest. The Heat led by 7 points entering the fourth quarter, but Denver's resilience shone through when it mattered most. The Nuggets outscored Miami 31-20 in the final period, with Bruce Brown's clutch three-pointer with just over a minute remaining essentially sealing the victory. That sequence demonstrated Denver's depth and mental toughness - when Jokic and Murray weren't carrying the scoring load, others stepped up in critical moments. Having seen many teams falter in similar situations, I was struck by Denver's collective poise under pressure.
The championship-clinching Game 5 provided the perfect culmination to Denver's storybook season. Winning 94-89 in a hard-fought defensive battle, the Nuggets showed they could win in multiple ways - whether through offensive fireworks or grinding out victories. Jokic's series averages of 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists earned him well-deserved Finals MVP honors, cementing his status as one of the game's all-time greats. As confetti rained down in Denver's Ball Arena, I couldn't help but reflect on how this championship validates the organization's patient team-building approach. In an era of superstar movement and quick fixes, Denver proved that developing talent and maintaining continuity can still produce champions.
Looking back, what stands out to me most is how Denver's championship represents a triumph of substance over style. They weren't the flashiest team or the most hyped, but their combination of skill, size, and basketball IQ made them nearly unstoppable when it mattered most. The way they controlled the tempo throughout the finals, particularly in those early game surges that left Miami scrambling, demonstrated a level of execution that championship teams typically develop over multiple deep playoff runs. Having watched every finals since the late 90s, I'd rank Denver's performance among the most complete team efforts I've seen. Their championship not only answered the question of who won last year's NBA title but provided a blueprint for how basketball should be played when everything is on the line.