As a lifelong basketball enthusiast and professional sports analyst, I still get chills thinking about last year's NBA Finals. The journey to the championship was nothing short of extraordinary, filled with moments that had fans on the edge of their seats. When people ask me who won the NBA Finals last year, my mind immediately goes beyond just naming the champion - it's about reliving that incredible narrative that unfolded on basketball's biggest stage.
I remember watching Game 1 thinking we were in for a conventional series, but basketball has this beautiful way of surprising us when we least expect it. The Denver Nuggets ultimately claimed their first championship in franchise history, defeating the Miami Heat in a hard-fought five-game series that felt much closer than the 4-1 final margin suggests. What struck me most was how the Nuggets built their championship identity throughout the playoffs - that methodical, relentless approach that reminded me of the great Spurs teams of the past. Nikola Jokic's playoff performance was simply historic, averaging 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting 54.8% from the field. Those numbers don't even do justice to how completely he controlled games.
The turning point came in Game 2, when Miami's early surge had them looking like they might steal a game on the road. That lead ballooned to as much as eight and had coach Michael Malone searching for answers early, desperately trying to find the right defensive adjustments to counter Miami's aggressive start. I recall watching that quarter thinking Denver might be in real trouble - their offense looked stagnant, and Miami's shooters were finding just enough space to get dangerous. But championship teams find ways to weather storms, and Denver's resilience throughout that game demonstrated why they were destined for greatness. The way they clawed back, with Jamal Murray finding his rhythm and Jokic making those impossible passes we've come to expect, it was basketball artistry at its finest.
What many casual fans might not appreciate is how Miami's incredible playoff run nearly produced one of the greatest upsets in NBA history. Coming through the play-in tournament and then knocking off Milwaukee, New York, and Boston - that's the stuff of legends. Jimmy Butler's leadership throughout that journey was phenomenal, though I'll admit I've always been somewhat skeptical about his ability to maintain elite efficiency through an entire playoff run. His 28.5 points per game in the Finals were impressive, but that 42% shooting percentage ultimately wasn't enough against Denver's superior firepower.
The clinching Game 5 was a masterpiece of controlled basketball from Denver. They led by as many as 14 points in the first half, and while Miami made several runs, the outcome never really felt in doubt. Watching Jokic hoist that championship trophy, I couldn't help but feel we were witnessing the dawn of a new era in the NBA. The conventional wisdom about building around a dominant big man had been turned on its head - Jokic proved that basketball IQ and skill could trump athleticism in today's game.
Reflecting on the broader implications, this championship validates Denver's patient team-building approach. They drafted well, developed their core, and made strategic additions that complemented their stars rather than chasing big names in free agency. In my view, this should serve as a blueprint for smaller market teams - build through the draft, prioritize fit over名气, and trust your development system. The Michael Porter Jr. redemption story alone could fill an entire article - from injury concerns to becoming a crucial championship piece.
The numbers tell part of the story - Denver shot 48.7% from the field during the series while holding Miami to 44.3% - but they don't capture the emotional rollercoaster of those close fourth quarters or the strategic adjustments happening timeout after timeout. As someone who's studied basketball for decades, I found the chess match between Erik Spoelstra and Michael Malone particularly fascinating. Spoelstra tried everything from zone defenses to different pick-and-roll coverages, but Denver's offensive versatility ultimately proved too much.
Looking back, what makes this championship so memorable isn't just that Denver won, but how they won. Their brand of team-first basketball, with constant movement and unselfish passing, represented everything beautiful about the sport. While Miami's underdog story captured hearts, Denver's systematic dismantling of opponents showcased basketball excellence at its peak. The legacy of this championship will extend far beyond the trophy - it's reshaped how teams think about roster construction and offensive philosophy throughout the league.