Who Was the NBA Champion Last Season and How Did They Achieve Victory?

I still remember watching the Finals last season with that mix of anticipation and nostalgia that only basketball can evoke. When the final buzzer sounded and the Denver Nuggets secured their first championship in franchise history, I found myself reflecting on how perfectly their journey mirrored that quote from their star player: "Here we are, finally with two championships. What a journey it has been and I've never been hungrier to go for more." Though Nikola Jokić was referring to his MVP awards at the time, those words perfectly captured the spirit of this team's championship run - a blend of hard-earned achievement and relentless ambition.

The Nuggets' path to the 2023 NBA championship wasn't just impressive - it was a masterclass in organizational patience and strategic team building. Having followed this team closely since drafting Jokić in 2014, I've watched them evolve from a fun regular-season team to genuine contenders. What struck me most about their championship run was how they maintained their core identity while making crucial adjustments. They played 20 playoff games and won 16 of them, finishing with a dominant 16-4 record that included sweeping the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Their offensive rating of 118.7 during the playoffs was simply phenomenal, and having watched nearly every game, I can attest that their ball movement was some of the most beautiful basketball I've seen in years.

What really separated Denver from other contenders, in my view, was their incredible continuity. While other teams were making dramatic roster changes each offseason, the Nuggets kept their core together through injuries and setbacks. Jamal Murray's return from his ACL injury was handled with remarkable patience - they could have rushed him back earlier, but the medical and coaching staff understood that championship windows don't open unless your stars are truly healthy. I remember thinking during their first-round series against Minnesota how much Murray's mid-range game had evolved during his recovery, adding new dimensions to their offense when they needed it most.

The Finals against Miami showcased everything that makes this team special. Facing Jimmy Butler and the resilient Heat, Denver demonstrated a level of composure that championship teams must possess. Game 2 particularly stands out in my memory - when Miami mounted their characteristic fourth-quarter comeback, the Nuggets didn't panic. Instead, they executed their offense with surgical precision, with Jokić making reads that only someone with his basketball IQ could make. His averages of 30.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists throughout the playoffs were historic, but numbers alone can't capture how he controlled the tempo of every game.

What many analysts underestimated was Denver's defensive improvement. While they'll always be known for their offensive brilliance, their defensive rating of 111.2 in the playoffs represented significant growth from previous seasons. Aaron Gordon's versatility in guarding multiple positions proved crucial, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope brought championship experience that elevated everyone's defensive awareness. Having played competitive basketball myself at the collegiate level, I can appreciate how difficult it is to maintain defensive discipline while running such a complex offensive system, but Denver made it look effortless.

The coaching staff deserves enormous credit for their game planning and in-series adjustments. Michael Malone outcoached several highly regarded opponents throughout the playoffs, and his ability to maintain the team's focus through different challenges was remarkable. I particularly admired how they handled Miami's zone defenses in the Finals - rather than settling for outside shots, they consistently attacked the soft spots with cutters and high-post passing. Their 52.3% field goal percentage in the championship series demonstrated their offensive efficiency against Miami's varied defensive schemes.

Looking back, what makes this championship so compelling is how it validates Denver's patient approach to team building. In an era where superteams form through free agency and trades, the Nuggets drafted and developed their core, suffered through playoff disappointments, and steadily improved. Jokić was the 41st pick in the draft, Murray was acquired through a trade on draft night, and Michael Porter Jr. fell to them due to injury concerns. This wasn't a superteam assembled overnight - it was an organic growth story that culminated in basketball excellence.

As someone who's studied championship teams across different eras, I believe this Nuggets squad will be remembered as one of the most complete offensive teams in modern basketball history. Their combination of size, skill, and basketball intelligence created matchup problems that opponents simply couldn't solve. The way they leveraged Jokić's unique talents while developing complementary skills in their role players represents a blueprint that other organizations would be wise to study.

The championship celebration felt different from others I've witnessed - there was a sense of genuine appreciation for the journey rather than just relief at reaching the destination. When Jokić spoke about being "hungrier to go for more," it resonated because this team clearly understands that sustaining excellence requires even more work than achieving it initially. Their 94-89 victory in the closeout Game 5 demonstrated their ability to win in different ways - this wasn't a blowout, but a gritty defensive battle where they made crucial plays down the stretch.

As we look ahead to the new season, the Nuggets have established themselves as the team to beat, and having watched their entire journey, I'm convinced their championship wasn't a fluke but the logical outcome of years of strategic planning and development. The challenge now becomes repeating their success in an increasingly competitive Western Conference, but if their hunger matches their talent, we might be witnessing the beginning of a new dynasty in the making.