Who Was the NBA Champion Last Season and How Did They Win the Title?
I still remember watching the final buzzer sound in Game 6 of the NBA Finals last season, witnessing the Denver Nuggets complete their incredible championship run. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've rarely seen a team dominate the playoffs with such methodical precision. The Nuggets weren't just good—they were historically efficient, losing only four games throughout their entire postseason campaign. When Nikola Jokic lifted that Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, his words resonated deeply with me: "Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I've never been hungrier to go for more."
What made Denver's championship particularly fascinating to me was how they built this roster through patience and development rather than chasing big-name free agents. They drafted Jokic 41st overall in 2014—an absolute steal that I still can't believe other teams passed on. Jamal Murray came through the 2016 draft, and Michael Porter Jr. in 2018. This core grew together through injuries, playoff disappointments, and constant questioning about whether their style could win in today's NBA. I've always believed in team-building through the draft, and Denver's success validated that approach in an era where superteams often dominate headlines.
The playoff run itself was a masterclass in adaptability. They swept Kevin Durant's Phoenix Suns in the second round, handled LeBron James and the Lakers with relative ease in the Western Conference Finals, and then faced a surprisingly resilient Miami Heat team in the Finals. What impressed me most was how Denver adjusted when things got tough. In Game 2 of the Finals, Miami shot incredibly well from three-point range—making 17 of their 35 attempts—yet Denver still found a way to win. That's championship mentality right there.
Jokic's performance throughout the playoffs was nothing short of legendary. He averaged 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game in the Finals—numbers that still blow my mind when I look back at them. But what made him truly special was his ability to elevate his game when it mattered most. I've never seen a big man with his combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking. He wasn't just the best player on the court; he was redefining what a center could be in modern basketball.
Jamal Murray's comeback story particularly stood out to me. After missing the entire 2021-22 season with an ACL injury, many doubted whether he could return to his bubble-era form. But throughout the playoffs, he averaged 26.1 points and 7.1 assists, forming arguably the most lethal pick-and-roll combination I've seen since Stockton and Malone. His performance in clutch moments—like his 12 fourth-quarter points in Game 3 of the Finals—demonstrated a mental toughness that separates good players from champions.
The supporting cast deserves more credit than they often receive. Aaron Gordon's defensive versatility allowed him to guard everyone from Devin Booker to Anthony Davis to Jimmy Butler. Michael Porter Jr.'s shooting stretched defenses thin, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided exactly the kind of three-and-D presence that championship teams need. Bruce Brown came off the bench to provide crucial minutes, scoring 21 points in the closeout Game 5. What I loved about this team was how every player understood and embraced their role perfectly.
Head coach Michael Malone's leadership cannot be overstated. He maintained the team's focus through adversity and never let them get too high or too low. His defensive schemes against Miami's shooters in Games 3 through 5 were particularly brilliant, holding the Heat to under 45% shooting in those critical contests. Having watched Malone develop this team over eight seasons, I appreciate how he stuck to his principles even when critics questioned whether Denver's style could win championships.
The championship-clinching Game 5 was a perfect microcosm of their entire season. When Miami took a seven-point lead early in the fourth quarter, lesser teams might have panicked. Instead, Denver went on a 16-6 run over the next six minutes, with Jokic either scoring or assisting on 12 of those points. The final score of 94-89 might not look pretty to casual fans, but to basketball purists like myself, it demonstrated how championship basketball is often about making winning plays rather than highlight-reel moments.
Looking back, what makes Denver's championship so satisfying to me is that it felt earned rather than bought. They built through the draft, developed their players, and stayed committed to their system. In an era where player movement dominates discussion, the Nuggets proved that continuity and culture still matter. Jokic's post-championship comment about being "hungrier to go for more" suggests this might not be their last title, and honestly, I wouldn't bet against them repeating. Their core remains young—Jokic is 28, Murray is 26, Porter is 25—which means we could be watching the beginning of a legitimate dynasty in the making.
The legacy of this championship extends beyond just Denver. It demonstrated that teams in smaller markets can still build champions through smart drafting and player development. It showed that unconventional stars like Jokic can not only succeed but dominate the league. Most importantly, it reminded us that basketball remains a team sport where chemistry and system often trump individual talent. As we look toward next season, Denver's championship sets a new standard for how to build a winner in the modern NBA—a blueprint I hope more teams will follow rather than chasing quick fixes through free agency.
