Wow!! The Miami Heat just defeated the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Championship Series to head to the NBA Finals!! The Heat are set to face the highly talented Western Confrerence Champion Denver Nuggets after the Nuggets SWEPT LeBron and the Lakers.
The Heat avoided being the first NBA team to blow a 3-0 lead in the playoffs while the Celtics failed to make history.
I am so intrigued by this matchup between the Nuggets and Heat. Many people wanted a Lakers-Celtics matchup for old times sake, which I can respect to an extent, but this 2023 present day NBA Finals matchup feels like the two best teams will be facing off. I haven't been this excited for an NBA Finals since the Warriors/Cavs were playing prior to Kevin Durant jumping on the Warriors' band wagon.
I like the mentality and I guess the backstories of both teams in this year's Finals.
The Nuggets have been a respectable franchise in some years but have never even sniffed elite status as a franchise. This is the first time the Nuggets have ever been to an NBA Finals. It feels like the Nuggets drafted like, all of their best players. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. Pretty great. No super team building, or hand selecting. They drafted a super team and now they're set for years and are probably the favorites heading into the Finals!
I'm a big fan of the Nuggets' star center Nikola Jokic. The guy is a beast and it seems like many people still sorta pay him no mind. Maybe that's just me. But with how good he is it seems like he should be a much bigger star. I know in Europe he's probably significantly more famous. Still, his fame is steadily growing and as he continues to succeed his stardom will become massive I would bet. He now gets to play on the biggest stage basketball has to offer!
The Heat are a franchise with a really solid history of winning. They've won several NBA titles and are no stranger to winning in general, frequently in the playoffs. Even with that history, it feels like they are underdogs in many seasons other than when LeBron, Wade, and Bosh were there.
Observing the Heat in 2023 and even in the past four years or so, it seems people are a bit surprised they've come this far yet again. This is the second time the Heat have been in the finals in four seasons. This impressive accomplishment was done without a MEGA star although Jimmy Butler is making a seriously strong case that he is a top tier star.
I think many fans who've watched the NBA in the past fifteen seasons are like confused and hesitant to embrace Butler because to many people, if a player isn't elite by their like, second or third season MAX, they just aren't legit. Butler seems to be pooping on that notion to be frank.
I remember Butler starting out as this like, gritty bench player who was a savage on defense. Butler made a name for himself that way. But then, Butler slowly evolved. He progressively improved his offensive game at like every possible level. He became an All-Star and now in his thirties, he's all of a sudden THE guy on the Heat leading them to the Finals TWICE now. This type of career trajectory in normally reserved for NFL or MLB players. Pretty inspiring to watch it happen in the NBA.
Of course it's not all Butler, but I highly highly highly doubt they'd be here or even this close without him. Butler is the guy on that team, no question about it.
In addition to Butler's skill/accomplishments on paper and on the court I love Butler's mentality and grit on the court. The great traits that can't be statistically calculated with numbers. traits that need to be seen or felt. I truly believe the NBA has gone soft in recent years. Super teams, purely shooting threes. Teams looking like smaller in general to be honest. The Heat are actually a pretty small team in general but Butler is kind of an exception. He is bigger and stronger than most guards and even a majority of small forwards.
Jimmy plays with intensity, he will get in your face. He is the obvious leader of his team. His attitude elevates his teammates and puts fear in his opponents. It's honestly a treat to watch. It sets him apart. Can't think of a player that's quite like him.
The Nuggets seem to be the favorites but the Heat are sticky and stubborn. They are experienced not only on the roster but also in the front office and on the coaching staff.
No matter which team wins, it will be refreshing and great to see. I'll be happy for either team that wins!!!
I think the Nuggets will win 4-2. Comment your predictions!
