The Denver Nuggets finished the regular season with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They have two-time MVP Nikola Jokic on the roster, and it is quite possible that they will at least make the Finals.
The team will be facing the Phoenix Suns in the second round, and there’s no doubt that this will be a tough matchup for them. In fact, many view the Suns as the favorites. However, coach Mike Malone isn’t worried about the noise, noting that he knows what the team is capable of. He also noted that Kevin Durant’s presence on the Suns influences the team’s perception.
“We don’t take that personally. We know who we are. We know what we’re capable of.”
Michael Malone on Denver being the underdog as the 1-seed in this series:
“We don’t take that personally. We know who we are. We know what we’re capable of.”
Mentioned that any team trading for Kevin Durant will be viewed in a drastically different light.
— Ryan Blackburn (@NBABlackburn) April 27, 2023
It is clear that Mike Malone is confident in his team’s talent level and ability. He is one of the best coaches in the league himself, and he’ll need to be at his best to outsmart Monty Williams who has been to the Finals with the Suns before. However, with Nikola Jokic on the roster, the team will have a chance in any matchup.
Charles Barkley And Shaquille O’Neal Think Nikola Jokic Needs To Make It To The Finals After Winning Back To Back MVPs
Nikola Jokic is a back-to-back MVP, and there is definitely a lot of pressure on him to make a deep playoff run this season. In fact, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal previously claimed that he needs to make it to the Finals this season.
“It doesn’t matter matchups. They probably have to get to the Finals. You can’t win back-to-back MVPs and be in the conversation for the third one and don’t get to the Finals. When you’re the MVP… He’s won two! He [Nikola Jokic] has to get to the Finals!”
There is no doubt that there are certain expectations when a player wins the MVP award. Nikola Jokic is a good enough player to get the team to the Finals from a talent standpoint, and it is easy to see why people have high hopes.
Ultimately though, basketball also has some element of luck. Even if Nikola Jokic doesn’t make the Finals, it doesn’t make him any less of a player, and we’ll see what happens in the future.
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