After a brutal seven game series between the Heat and Celtics, the Nuggets finally have their NBA Finals opponent and they’re not underestimating them.
The Heat have been underdogs the entire season after clawing their way into the playoffs from eighth seed and are now playing first seeded Denver in the Finals.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone isn’t taking the franchise’s first ever Finals appearance lightly, especially against a team that has been doubted all season long.
“For those that thinking that this is going to be an easy series…I don’t know what to say,” Malone said. “This is going to be the biggest challenge of our lives.
“We know we have a hell of a fight in front of us.”
Denver forward Aaron Gordon has nailed his playoff matchup assignments so far against some of the biggest stars in the game, including LeBron, Kevin Durant and Karl-Anthony Towns but Gordon admitted that containing Playoffs Jimmy is a whole different beast.
“Jimmy does everything,” Gordon said. “He does all of the intangible things. He plays the game within the game.
“They fight, they scrap, and they have no quit… They play fearless, they play disciplined… All those guys over there got game, so respect it.”
Butler was awarded the Larry Bird trophy for the Eastern Conference Finals MVP for his efforts against Boston.
It was a series where he averaged 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
In Game 7 he recorded a game-high 28 points to go along with seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
“I’m here… Joker!” – Was Jimmy’s message in his press conference after the Game 7 Win.
Get out the popcorn because these Finals are going to be an unmissable.
Game 1 of the Heat-Nuggets series will take place on Thursday, June 1 at Ball Arena – Denver’s home court.