Nikola Jokic celebrates after the Denver Nuggets win their first Western Conference title in ... [+] franchise history. But he and his team won't be satisfied until they win the NBA championship.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reservedThe Denver Nuggets still have plenty of work to do to reach their ultimate goal, but today their fans have a lot to celebrate, as the team reached the NBA Finals for the first time in the 56-year history of the franchise.
In a tightly-contested Western Conference Finals Game 4 featuring a slew of historic NBA and Nuggets records, Denver beat the Los Angeles Lakers, weathering a valiant 40-point effort from LeBron James, and earning the Nuggets their very first conference title – and also in the process, both the team’s first-ever playoff sweep and first win over the Lakers.
“This is for all of our fans back in Denver, who come every night to make Ball Arena just an incredible place to play,” head coach Michael Malone said in his press conference after his team’s second consecutive road win in Los Angeles. “This is a special moment, so we’re going to savor it for a moment, and then get back to work.”
In the win, Denver was led on the court by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his co-star Jamal Murray, and from the bench by head coach Michael Malone, all of whom have been instrumental in transforming the Nuggets from a youthful rebuilding project to, now, the 2023 Western Conference Finals champion.
In addition to the team’s milestones, Jokic also made individual history in two big ways.
Jokic became the NBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles in a single postseason, with 30 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, three blocks and a steal, netting his eighth triple-double in these playoffs, and passing the legendary Wilt Chamberlain’s previous record of seven which, like the Nuggets themselves, was established in 1967.
Jokic was also named the NBA’s Western Conference Finals MVP, adding the accolade to a resume which already features two regular season MVP awards.
But zooming out to the big picture beyond the more immediate details of Denver’s series-clinching victory, two outstanding realities loom large.
The first is that this season’s Nuggets squad is now unequivocally and undeniably the most successful incarnation in team history. By reaching the Finals and positioning themselves just four wins away from Denver’s first NBA championship, this team has ascended to a level never reached by previous iterations of the Nuggets led by greats such as Alex English, David Thompson, Dikembe Mutombo or Carmelo Anthony (who somewhat coincidentally announced his official retirement the same day as Denver’s big win). In this sense, the current playoff run culminating in sweeping the Lakers in the WCF represents the team’s greatest accomplishment to date.
But the second, and arguably more important (or at least more urgent) matter is that despite coming so far, the Nuggets still have a long way to go in order to claim their first NBA championship.
“It means a lot,” Malone said postgame, “but I speak for 17 players in that locker room and the entire organization: We are not satisfied… We have a lot of work to do.”
“Whoever we wind up playing, we’ll prepare like we have all playoffs, we’ll have our guys ready,” Malone added. “And it’s also about us doing us.”
To Malone’s point, the Nuggets do not yet know their Finals opponent, with the Eastern Conference Finals still in progress, and the Boston Celtics getting a big win against the Miami Heat the day after Denver’s victory, staving off elimination. Either way, Denver’s focus remains the same.
“Enjoy the moment, but we’ve got more work to do,” Jamal Murray explained, “so that’s the mindset right now.”
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was on the Lakers when they defeated the Nuggets in their previous WCF matchup in the 2020 NBA bubble on their way to that year’s title, echoed a similar sentiment.
“It is, I still have little butterflies,” he said when asked if his feeling of excitement matched that of his last trip to the Finals. “But I gotta tell my teammates, just enjoy the moment, and then we’ve got four more.”
Just four more wins to the Nuggets’ first championship is a situation their fans have only been able to dream of until this moment. But they have been the best team in the playoffs so far, and if they can carry that momentum through just one more series, they should at long last bring that long-awaited NBA title back to Denver.
Joel Rush, Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2023/05/24/nikola-jokic-leads-the-denver-nuggets-to-the-nba-finals-for-the-first-time-in-team-history/
By: Joel Rush, Contributor
Title: Nikola Jokic Leads The Denver Nuggets To The NBA Finals For The First Time In Team History
Sourced From: www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2023/05/24/nikola-jokic-leads-the-denver-nuggets-to-the-nba-finals-for-the-first-time-in-team-history/
Published Date: 05-24-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NBA salary ceiling?
The NBA salary cap limits the total salary each team can earn. The league determines the salary limit each year. This limit is set by the league each year to ensure equal playing field between teams. It prevents teams from signing multiple high-priced athletes and creates an unfair advantage. Teams must stay under the cap to sign free agents or make trades. They can surpass it if there are certain exceptions such as signing players with Bird rights or offering contracts with player salaries that count against the cap with the rest being paid out in bonuses. The league salary cap is an integral part and helps to maintain a balanced team roster.
What is the greatest NBA family?
That is a hotly debated topic that has been discussed for decades. The "showtime Lakers of 1980-1989" dominated the league for nearly a decade, winning five championships led by Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. During this period, superstars like James Worthy, Byron Scott and Kurt Rambis were part of the Lakers' roster.
The Los Angeles Lakers from 200-2004 (later the Shaw and Kobe Lakers), were a force that had to be reckoned. They were held by Shaquille Bryant's dynamic duo, Kobe Bryant and Kobe O'Neal, both Hall of Famer. They won three championships consecutively from 2000 through 2002.
The Chicago Bulls of the 1990s were also a dominant force in their era, winning six championships under iconic head coach Phil Jackson and led by Michael Jordan, who is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time. The Chico Bulls of 1995-1996 is among one of the most legendary teams in NBA history as they completed the first of three consecutive NBA championships and posted a then-record 72 wins that season. The Bulls' 72-10 regular-season record was broken by Golden State Warriors in 2015-16.
The Boston Celtics of 1965 are probably the most well-known dynasty of NBA basketball history. They won eight consecutive NBA championships and 11 titles during 13 years of Red Auerbach, Hall of Fame coach. Legendary players like Sam Jones, Bob Cousy and John Havlicek led the Celtics to a winning culture that has lasted for decades.
The San Antonio Spurs is also considered a top contender to be the best NBA team. The Spurs have won four championships since 1999 and enjoyed one of the most successful runs in NBA history. Led by future Hall of Famers Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and head coach Gregg Popovich, they bettered the team's basketball approach, emphasizing a team-first mentality that made them successful.
The Golden State Warriors are one team that has won four NBA championships, making them one of the most successful in NBA history. Steve Kerr and superstar players Stephen Curry (Kevin Durant), Klay Thompson (head coach) lead them. The Warriors play an exciting brand of basketball that has thrilled fans worldwide and are also in the conversation for the greatest NBA dynasty of all time.
The task of choosing the greatest NBA dynasty is not an easy one. Each team had its unique group of players and coaches that made them successful, but some stood out more than others due to their dominance. You could argue that the greatest NBA dynasty was made up of the Bulls, Bulls Bulls, Celtics Spurs, Spurs, and Warriors.
Which team is the most successful in NBA basketball?
This question will be debated for many years by fans. With 17 titles, the Los Angeles Lakers (with 17 titles) and the Boston Celtics (17 with 17 titles) have the most NBA championships. The Chicago Bulls were in their prime during the 1990s, when six titles were won by Phil Jackson, a Hall of Fame coach. Five titles have been won by San Antonio Spurs, while the Golden State Warriors claimed four in the past decade. Other notable NBA teams are the Philadelphia 76ers, Kobe Shaq Lakers, and LeBron Jam's Miami Heat, who won back-to–back championships for 2012 and 2013.
What is a restricted free agent in NBA?
An NBA restricted free agent is a player who has fulfilled their rookie contract but becomes an unrestricted-free agent. Their rights remain with their former team. In such a situation, the team is allowed to match any offer made by another team to the player. If they choose to do so, the player must remain with their previous team and honour their existing contract. This allows teams retain players who are proven valuable, but cannot afford them because of their salary caps. Teams can use restricted free agents to build their rosters with great flexibility.
Which NBA star is the most dominant scorer in the league now?
This is a subjective question because each player plays in a unique way that makes them different and helps them succeed. Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry are all popular choices for NBA's most dominant scorer.
Kevin Durant has more to offer than just being a shooting superstar. This player is a serious player with two NBA Championships, 2 Finals MVPs, and a regular season MVP title.
What is the NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which teams select eligible players entering the league. It is held each June and includes two rounds. Each team gets one selection per round. The teams' previous seasons' records determine the order of the draft. The worst team gets the first pick, while the best team gets the last. This event allows teams to select international or college players under 19 years of age. This event is essential for teams because they have the opportunity to recruit new talent as well as build their team. It also offers players the chance to transfer from their college or international leagues to join the NBA.
Statistics
- Between 2012 and 2019, the league lost 40 to 45 percent of its viewership. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Meanwhile, the opening night rosters include a record-setting 234 players with some G League experience, according to the NBA ( Twitter link ). (hoopsrumors.com)
External Links
sports.yahoo.com
nba.com
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basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
How To
Are NBA players compensated for their injuries?
NBA players with guaranteed contracts are entitled to their entire salary, even if they are disabled or injured. Some have even earned millions without even playing a game. Although they might lose out on bonuses and their contract could be cancelled after expiration, they will still receive the full amount. Non-guaranteed contract players won't typically be paid until they are able to play again in the NBA. For those who qualify, the NBA may offer assistance with disability payments or a settlement in a lump sum. However, no guarantees of payment are made for injury-related absences. Teams and the league can also help those who are in greatest need.
Teams can also provide some assistance through the Injury Disability Plan. It really depends on each person and the team's circumstances. In certain cases, players might be able to reach an agreement with their teams to buyout their team to help them get money in the event of their injury. While there is no guarantee that players will receive payment if they are injured, the league and team can offer some assistance. It is essential to keep in mind that each situation is unique and should be assessed on an individual basis. The NBA has detailed rules for injuries and payment during injury absences. Knowing these rules can help players make agreements with their teams, or to make informed financial decisions about the future. For any questions or concerns, it is important that you consult a professional.
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