The Denver Nuggets trusted Mike Malone and stood by him through thick and thin.
They knew injuries were mostly to blame for their playoff struggles and even held onto him after being swept in the playoffs, which is something not many organizations would’ve done.
That, plus their determination to think about the long run and not winning immediately, is about to pay off once and for all, as they stand just one win away from their very first NBA championship.
Notably, NBA analyst Alan Hahn believes that winning that ring would establish themselves as the team to beat in the league, citing that other stars would start wondering whether they have enough firepower to take them down.
.@alanhahn says the Nuggets will establish themselves as the "it" team with a series win tonight 👀
"If you're LeBron James and the Lakers, and if you're Steph Curry and the Warriors … you're looking at your franchise and saying, 'Do we have enough to beat this team?'" pic.twitter.com/mClVJUCNVT
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 12, 2023
While some think this could be a far-fetched assessment, it’s actually quite valid.
Everybody always aims for the crown, and there’s always that one team all coaches and GMs try to either replicate or find a counter to.
The Golden State Warriors were the latest example of that trend, with all teams trying to either copy their style or play or put together a roster that could try and slow them down.
Notably, finding a counter for Nikola Jokic would be easier said than done.
One can find a guy who can harass him on the perimeter or bully him in the paint, but not do both.
Even if you manage to hold him down as a scorer, he’s still one of the best passers in the game, so good luck to all GMs and scouts out there trying to figure him out.
NEXT: NBA Insider Names 1 Nuggets Player As Key To Finals Run