New and intriguing, the NBA finals will oppose from Thursday the Nuggets, guided by the mountain Nikola Jokic for their first at this stage, to the Heat of the volcano Jimmy Butler, in search of a fourth title, never yet won by a No. 8 seed.
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Denver will have waited until the 47th season in its history to offer itself the opportunity of a coronation. And his coach Michael Malone did not fail to emphasize the importance of the moment. "Obviously, this dusty old town in the Rockies 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 do so. That's what motivates us. Going to the final is not enough. What matters is winning," he said.
It is at "Mile-High City", so nicknamed because it rises to one mile (1,609 m) above sea level, that the first round will begin Thursday at 18:30 local (Friday 02:30 French, 00:30 GMT). 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 host four times, if this final requires seven games. But Miami has not won since 2016.
No one is satisfied. We did nothing. We're not just playing to win the Eastern Conference. We play to win everything.
Jimmy Butler
Not enough to intimidate the Heat of Erik Spoelstra, who takes a malicious pleasure in thwarting the predictions since his accession to the play-offs, by being out ric-rac of the play-offs. Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks, the favorites for the title, the reborn Knicks and the finalist Celtics last year, have had bitter experience. "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, decisive with his average of 28.5 points in this campaign.
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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), through these sharp second knives, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Duncan Robinson and Max Strus who have in common that they have not been drafted. "They're great competitors. A lot of people can identify with this team, because sometimes you have to suffer to get what you really want," said Spoelstra, guarantor of the famous "Heat Culture", combining discipline, work ethic and unfailing self-sacrifice, established by president Pat Riley, which will be the 19th 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 2011 and 2014, with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. After the sixth lost in 2020 with the Butler generation, hanging a third personal ring with this team of underdogs would have a unique flavor.
This will be the biggest challenge of our lives.
Mike Malone
But opposite, stand the Nuggets very impressive, serene and sure of their basketball, who were intractable against the Timberwolves and Suns of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, before sweeping the Lakers of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, in revenge three years after their previous conference finals. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who averaged a triple-double in these playoffs (29.9 pts, 13.3 rebounds, 10.3 assists), scorer Jamal Murray, the precious Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr illustrate the benefits of the continuity policy operated by Denver, which took advantage of it to strengthen, by attracting the experienced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rightfully titled with the Lakers in 2020.
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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 can border on euphoria, despite legitimate fatigue. Suspense then. "For those who think this series will be easy, I don't know what to say," said coach Michael Malone, refusing the label of favorite, before summing up: "This will be the biggest challenge of our lives.
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