It took 56 years and 38 playoff appearances for the basketball team nestled in the high plains just east of the Rocky Mountains to finally reach the peak of its sport.
The Nuggets never lost more than twice in any playoff series and finished with 10 victories in their last 11 postseason games.
As the final seconds ticked down toward the first NBA title in Denver Nuggets history, star center Nickola Jokic walked backward past center court, turned towards the Miami Heat bench and shook hands with his vanquished opponents.
After leading the Denver Nuggets to the first ever NBA title in their 47 year existence, Nikola Jokic just wanted to go home to his horses. Never mind that he had just become the first player in NBA history to lead the charts for total points scored 600 ,rebounds 269, and assists 190 in a single playoffs season. Never mind that the Nuggets had plans to celebrate the NBA title with a parade in Denver.
Home for the 7- footed Jokic is Sombor, Serbia. The former Yugoslav nation topped up the heady euphoria of watching Novak Djokovic claim his 23rd Grand Slam title with the sight of another one of their own becoming an NBA champion and an NBA Finals MVP one day later.
The Denver Nuggets are NBA
They clinched the first title in franchise history on Monday night on their home court at Ball Arena, 5280 feet above sea level – highest altitude at which any NBA championship has been won. They beat the Miami Heat, 94 – 89, in Game 5 to seal the Victory. They were led by centre Nickola Jokic, who stood quietly at the back of the stage holding his 1 year old daughter as his team celebrated during the trophy presentation, and by point guard Jamal Murray, who cried as he looked up at the thousands of fans roaring for him. The rest of Denver’s indefatigable eight man rotation bolstered the team’s two biggest stars until the end.
Through the first three quarters, the Nuggets struggled to make 3 point shots and convert free throws. They turned the ball over carelessly. Had they lost, they would have had to play Game 6 in Miami on Thursday. The pressure Monday may have frayed their nerves.
The Heat had a 7 point lead at halftime and led by just 1 point at the end of the third quarter. But in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets found the resolve to take the title. With about 10 minutes, 59 seconds remaining, Murray hit a 3 pointer to give the Nuggets a 4 point lead. It was Denver’s largest lead scince the first quarter.
Later Murray struck again, this time, Aaron Gordon blocked a jumper by Heat Guard Kyle Lowry, leading to a transition basket for Murray to give the Nuggets a 5 point lead.
With less then 30 seconds remaining, Kentavious Coldwell – Pope stole a pass by Jimmy Butler and made both free throws after Lowry fouled him to give Denver a 3 point lead. With the win, the Nuggets departed a dubious club.
There are now only 10 teams that have never won an NBA championship. Five have made it to the finals and lost. But the Nuggets had never even gotten that far, atleast in the NBA.
