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Nuggets Claim First NBA Title, Jokic Named MVP
After four seasons of professional baseball in the San Diego Padres system, Colin was featured as a freelance sports writer in numerous publications. He enjoys handicapping and writing about sports wagering while covering the MLB, NBA, NFL, PGA, and multiple college sports. Colin attended and played baseball at St. John's University in Queens, NY.
All posts by Colin LynchUpdated13 Jun 2023
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games to secure their first-ever NBA title. They have much thanks to give to the absolutely epic run that center and NBA Finals MVP, Nikola Jokić has been on.
Nikola Jokić, the humble superstar center for the Denver Nuggets, has not only led the league in deflections during the 2023 NBA Finals but has also made a habit of deflecting attention away from himself off the court. Despite enduring countless media availabilities during the championship round, Jokić consistently redirected praise to his teammates and coaches, emphasizing the collective effort rather than his individual achievements.
The Denver Nuggets are NBA Champions for the 1st time in the franchise’s history 👏
🏆 GAME 5 FINAL SCORE 🏆
DEN: 94
MIA: 89 pic.twitter.com/TDGO42ctwt— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2023
Humble Beginnings to Super Stardom
Jokić’s journey from a small town in northern Serbia to becoming an international superstar is nothing short of remarkable. From his humble beginnings in Sombor, where he was known as a “fat point guard” with a Coca-Cola addiction, to his transformation into one of the most conditioned players in the NBA, Jokić has defied expectations at every step. He has evolved into a dominant force on the court, capable of playing over 40 minutes per game in the NBA Finals and excelling in every moment.
The Accolades Are Piling Up
Not only has Jokić become a two-time MVP, but he has also taken the Denver Nuggets to new heights. With Jokić as their centerpiece, the Nuggets claimed the NBA championship with a Game 5 victory over the Miami Heat. In that decisive game, Jokić delivered another outstanding performance, scoring 28 points on efficient shooting, grabbing 16 rebounds, dishing out four assists, and making a significant impact on both ends of the court. Throughout the series, he displayed complete control, averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game while shooting at an impressive percentage from the field, three-point range, and the free-throw line. It was a historic NBA Finals performance and an incredible NBA Playoffs run overall.
Being named the NBA Finals MVP in a unanimous vote is a testament to Jokić’s dominance in this series. It serves as the perfect culmination of his extraordinary playoff run, which will be remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in NBA postseason history. Despite our familiarity with Jokić’s exceptional statistical achievements, it is essential to step back and truly appreciate the magnitude of his accomplishments in the context of the game.
Nikola Jokić’s impact reaches far beyond the box score. His selflessness, work ethic, and dedication to his team have solidified his place among the league’s elite. As the sun at the center of the Nuggets’ success, he has proven that greatness can emerge from unexpected places and that a player’s impact extends beyond individual accolades. Jokić’s NBA Finals MVP title and the Nuggets’ championship victory mark the pinnacle of his career, but knowing his humble nature, he will likely continue to deflect praise and focus on the collective achievements of his team. Now the question remains for both Jokić and the Nuggets, can they do it again?
