Who Were the Last Year NBA Champions and How They Won the Title

Looking back at last year's NBA Finals, I still get chills remembering how the Denver Nuggets claimed their first championship in franchise history. As someone who's followed basketball for over two decades, I've seen plenty of teams chase that elusive title, but what made Denver's journey special was how they transformed what could have been a disastrous start into a championship narrative. I vividly recall watching Game 1 where Miami Heat's early offensive explosion had them leading by eight points in the first quarter, leaving the Nuggets looking somewhat disoriented. That lead ballooned to as much as eight and had Alas searching for answers early, creating that familiar sinking feeling for Denver fans who've witnessed promising seasons crumble before.

What impressed me most was how Coach Michael Malone's adjustments during those turbulent early moments demonstrated championship-caliber coaching. Rather than panicking when Miami's shooters caught fire, Denver stuck to their identity - something I've noticed separates great teams from merely good ones. They continued feeding Nikola Jokić in the high post, trusting their offensive system despite Miami's early defensive intensity. Having watched Jokić develop from a second-round pick to a two-time MVP, I've always believed his unique skill set would eventually translate to playoff success, but even I was amazed by his historic postseason performance averaging 30 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists throughout the playoffs.

The turning point came in Game 2 when Jamal Murray erupted for 34 points, reminding everyone why his partnership with Jokić represents the league's most dynamic duo. From my perspective, Murray's return from that devastating ACL injury was the X-factor nobody outside Denver fully appreciated. I'd argued all season that a healthy Murray made Denver championship contenders, while most national media focused on Phoenix or Golden State. His ability to create shots under pressure, combined with Jokić's revolutionary playmaking, gave Denver an offensive versatility that Miami simply couldn't counter over a seven-game series.

Defensively, Denver's commitment to limiting Miami's role players proved decisive. Having analyzed championship teams for years, I've found that title winners typically have one series where role players step up unexpectedly, and for Denver, it was Bruce Brown's contributions off the bench that made the difference. His 21-point performance in Game 4 showcased Denver's depth - something I believe gets overlooked when people discuss their championship run. The Nuggets held Miami to just 42% shooting from the field throughout the series, with Aaron Gordon's versatile defense on Jimmy Butler standing out as particularly impressive.

What many casual observers miss about Denver's championship is how their regular season prepared them for this moment. They finished 53-29, securing the Western Conference's top seed, which gave them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. In my experience covering the NBA, home-court advantage matters more than people realize, especially for a team like Denver where the altitude presents legitimate challenges for visiting teams. The Nuggets went 10-1 at home during those playoffs, with that single loss coming only after the series was effectively decided.

The clinching Game 5 demonstrated everything that made Denver special - their resilience after blowing a seven-point fourth-quarter lead, their composure in executing down the stretch, and their stars delivering when it mattered most. Watching Jokić hoist the Finals MVP trophy after averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the series, I couldn't help but feel this validated his unconventional approach to the game. In an era obsessed with three-point shooting and positionless basketball, Jokić proved that fundamental skills and basketball IQ still triumph.

Reflecting on their championship run, I'm convinced Denver's victory represents a blueprint for team-building in the modern NBA. Rather than chasing big-name free agents or tanking for high draft picks, they developed their core through patience and strategic acquisitions. As someone who's critical of the "superteam" era, I find Denver's organic growth particularly satisfying. They identified their franchise player in Jokić, surrounded him with complementary pieces, and stayed committed to their system even when early playoff exits suggested they needed radical changes.

The lasting impact of Denver's championship extends beyond their franchise. It demonstrated that small-market teams can still compete and win in today's NBA landscape, provided they have strong leadership and a coherent vision. Having visited Denver multiple times during their rebuilding years, I witnessed firsthand how the organization cultivated a culture that eventually produced a championship. Their victory wasn't a fluke or the result of a single superstar performance, but rather the culmination of years of strategic planning and development - something I wish more organizations would emulate rather than chasing quick fixes that rarely deliver lasting success.