The Miami Heat have become the second eighth seed in history to reach the NBA Finals. Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone has advised his players to not focus on the seeding and instead prepare themselves for the greatest challenge they have ever faced. Malone believes that winning the first NBA championship in franchise history will be the hardest thing the Nuggets have ever done.
Contending with Jimmy Butler
After the Nuggets’ sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals on May 22, they have been preparing to face the Miami Heat and how to slow down Jimmy Butler. Butler is averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists and shooting 48.3% from the field. However, Malone says that Butler is so much more than just his stats. What separates Butler from most players is his drive, competitive spirit, and relentless attack. He is a big-moment player who is not scared, tough, and a warrior.
Aaron Gordon has had success defending top scoring options for the Nuggets this postseason. But Gordon said he knows he will have his hands full with Butler if the assignment falls to him. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown could also see time defending Butler.
Respecting the Miami Heat
Since seeding began in 1984, the Miami Heat are the first eight seed to reach the NBA Finals since the New York Knicks in 1999. Despite their seeding, the Nuggets are not underestimating the Heat. They have the utmost respect for them, their fighting spirit, and their fearless and disciplined gameplay. The Heat have some players who have been to the NBA Finals before and some with chips on their shoulder. The Nuggets acknowledge that the Heat are a talented and professional basketball team with players who have game.
Like the Nuggets, the Heat have fought their way to the NBA Finals. The Nuggets have had to go up against Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns in the first round, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant in the second round, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the conference finals. The Heat have had to go up against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round and Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers in the first round.
In the second round against Phoenix, the Nuggets had trouble slowing down Booker, especially in the midrange. Booker averaged 30.8 points, 7.8 assists and 56.9% shooting. However, Denver held the Suns scorer to a total of 40 points and a combined 12-for-32 shooting in the final two wins of that series to eliminate Phoenix. Butler likes to get downhill and do damage in the midrange, and the Nuggets will need to prepare to slow him down.
Gordon said he does not set targets for holding Butler to a certain number of points. He just wants to make it as difficult as possible for him throughout the series. Making everything that Butler gets tough and making him work for everything is how the Nuggets plan to defend him.
The Denver Nuggets are preparing for their biggest challenge yet against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Despite the Heat’s seeding, the Nuggets have the utmost respect for them and acknowledge that they are a talented and professional basketball team. The Nuggets will need to focus on slowing down Jimmy Butler and making everything he gets tough. The NBA Finals will be a test of the Nuggets’ skills and fighting spirit as they try to win their first NBA championship in franchise history.
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