When two teams compete at the highest level, how do you rate who has a much better chance to win?
If both teams are highly skilled.
If both have a great bunch of guys that possess the right balance of a championship calibre team.
If both are hungry for a title and have been playing that way.
In the 2023 NBA Finals matchup of Denver Nuggets and Miami Heats, this is the main question that arises.
The Nuggets seem destined to win this year hands down. There was no question about it. They have been playing the highest level of basketball. They have been performing phenomenally on both ends of the floor and their bench strength has been putting up numbers too which helps them rest their core group and they do not end up giving away a lead.
However, this was the case until the Miami Heat pulled off a playoff run so magnificent and unnerving that they have become a force to be reckoned with.
This Odds defying team has stunned the whole NBA. Entering the playoffs from surviving a Play-in matchup, then securing the 8th seed and then making it all the way to the finals while beating the likes of Milwaukee bucks and New York knicks. Both of these were contender worthy rosters with a good regular season record, far better than the Heat.
For me personally, I measure the team's capability in this scenario by how much 'heart' each team has.
This is what will make them stand out.
It's pretty easy to observe for a player.
Although both teams seem competitive and tough, with Nuggets (having the best regular season record and an easy sail through to the finals) being the easy choice.
Despite observing that, I, for the first time, am in doubt. I had chosen the Nuggets way before the playoffs as champions (even though I hoped warriors would make it). But their gameplay and the heart they played with resonated on the floor. It was undeniable that they are the better team this year.
Only flaw I could point out was what happens when Jokic is off the floor?
That's the only window when the other team might have a crack at taking a lead.
But, the bench has been playing lock down defence and their constant hustle has been able to keep the other team at bay.
So in the end it all boils down to who has more heart.
If the game goes down to the wire, the team that will pull away is the one willing to take it to the next level, the one with more heart.
It'll be a battle of who can outlast the other.
On a skill comparison, Nuggets clearly have the upper hand, but you can't deny the wave of Heat. The track record that Heat has displayed is the reason why competitive team sports is unpredictable.
Now, the question that begs to be answered is do the Heat still have enough fire to outlast this series or are they approaching their limit?
Will the nuggets prove to stand true and be the 'out of their league' matchup?
Many forums accross the internet believe this will be Jokic and Malone's year. That after so many years they have finally arrived and the NBA trophy belongs to them.
But, the Jimmy Butler effect has started to creep in and is slowly developing into a fairytale season.
However, the biggest decider is going to be the battle between - Jamal Murray & Jimmy Butler. This is the key. The way each performs will be the deciding factor of this series. For Heat to seal this series at this level they need a spectacular finish by Butler but more than that they need Murray to burnout.
Jokic carries the team but what makes them pull away and fiery is - Murray.
So lets wait and watch, this matchup is gonna be some beautiful melody of basketball this week.
NBA Finals 2023 Game 1 - 2 June (IST). [Watch on NBA tv]
If you wanna get into that zone -
Check this out - 5 Sports Movies (true stories) to see what I mean by 'heart'.
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