Unprecedented and intriguing, the NBA final will oppose the Nuggets, guided by the mountain Nikola Jokic, to the Heat of the volcano Jimmy Butler on Thursday. The Nuggets are in their first appearance in the Finals as the Heat seek a fourth title, never before won by a No. 8 seed.
Denver will have waited for the 47e season of its history to afford the opportunity of a coronation. And his trainer Michael Malone did not fail to underline the importance of the moment.
“Obviously, this dusty old Rocky Mountain town has been disrespected for years. We can complain about it or simply accept who we are. But until we are champions, people will continue to be. That’s what drives us. Going to the final is not enough. What matters is winning,” he said.
It is at “Mile-High City”, so nicknamed because it culminates at one mile (1,609 m) above sea level, that the first round will begin on Thursday evening.
With already a problem for Floridians: altitude. Many have already testified to the difficulty of adapting to the lack of oxygen, such as former star Shaquille O’Neal who admitted to having “voluntarily made mistakes to catch (his) breath”.
Denver will receive four times, though this final requires seven matches. But Miami has not won there since 2016.
“An incredible group”
Not enough, however, to intimidate the Heat of Erik Spoelstra, who takes pleasure in thwarting the odds since his accession to the playoffs, having just come out of the dams. The Bucks of Giannis Antetokounmpo, however favorites for the title, the reborn Knicks and the Celtics finalists last year, have had the bitter experience of it.
“No one is satisfied. We did nothing. We’re not just playing to win the Eastern Conference. We play to win everything, ”warned Jimmy Butler.
An exemplary leader, he is surrounded by other warriors, from the burly Bam Adebayo to the old grognard Kyle Lowry (champion with Toronto in 2019), passing by these sharp second knives, the Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson and Max Strus who have for common point of not having been fished out.
“They are great competitors. A lot of people can identify with this team, because sometimes you have to suffer to get what you really want”, underlined Spoelstra, guarantor of the famous “Heat Culture”, combining discipline, work ethic and abnegation. flawless, established by President Pat Riley, of which it will be the 19e final, for nine already won as a player, coach and manager.
It was the latter who coached the champion team in 2006, before leaving the reins to “Spo” crowned in 2012 and 2013, but also defeated in the finals of 2011 and 2014, with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. After the sixth lost in 2020 with the Butler generation, hang a third personal ring with this team ofunderdogs would have a unique flavor.
“The Biggest Challenge”
But opposite, stand the very impressive, serene and sure of their basketball Nuggets, who proved intractable against the Timberwolves and the Suns of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, before sweeping the Lakers of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as revenge three years after their previous conference finals.
Twice named most valuable player, Nikola Jokic, who averages a triple-double in these series (29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists), the scorer Jamal Murray, the precious Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr illustrate the benefits of the continuity policy operated by Denver, which took the opportunity to strengthen itself, by attracting the experienced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, rightly titled with the Lakers in 2020.
After ten days without playing, the oiled collective of the Nuggets, certainly well rested, could suffer from a lack of rhythm compared to that of the Heat carried by a momentum that could border on euphoria, despite legitimate fatigue. So suspenseful.
“For those who think this series will be easy, I don’t know what to say,” breathed coach Michael Malone, refusing the label of favorite, before summarizing: “this will be the biggest challenge of our lives. »