Gold Standard: How the Denver Nuggets Won Their First NBA Championship

GOLD STANDARD

How the Denver Nuggets Won Their First NBA Championship

ON THE COVER: NBA commissioner Adam Silver hands the MVP trophy to Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets, who holds his daughter Ognjena, after defeating the Miami Heat 94-89 to win the championship at Ball Arena, June 12, 2023. ANDY CROSS / THE DENVER POST

Credits

Bill Reynolds, general manager, senior vice president, circulation and operations

Lee Ann Colacioppo, editor

Scott Monserud, assistant managing editor/sports

Matt Schubert, senior editor/sports

Lori Punko, deputy sports editor

Mike Singer, staff writer

Bennett Durando, staff writer

Parker Gabriel, staff writer

Mark Kiszla, sports columnist

Sean Keeler, sports columnist

AAron Ontiveroz, staff photographer

Andy Cross, staff photographer

Hyoung Chang, staff photographer

Patrick Traylor, senior editor/photography

and multimedia

Katie Rausch, deputy director of photography

REGULAR SEASON

“I want to be the Tim Duncan of the Denver Nuggets. But I need to win a couple championships to be him.” Nuggets center Nikola Jokic

LEFT: Michael Porter Jr. (1), Aaron Gordon (50), Nikola Jokic (15), DeAndre Jordan (6) and Ish Smith (14) of the Denver Nuggets sit on the bench for a rest during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Ball Arena in Denver, March 27, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

How Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. became ‘more than a pretty jump shooter’

BY MIKE SINGER • THE DENVER POST • APRIL 2, 2023

Two weeks ago, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. was in the midst of one of his torrid 3-point shooting streaks when he flashed the latest tool in his ever-growing arsenal.

Having already buried five 3-pointers against the Raptors, he caught the ball on the wing late in the third quarter and flashed by one of Toronto’s many long-limbed defenders. With two decisive dribbles, Porter split the Raptors’ defense and finished, uncontested, at the rim with his left hand.

The conviction that Porter showed in attacking a seam left Raptors forward Chris Boucher on his heels. In seasons past, Porter might’ve settled into a jumper that, given his height and pristine mechanics, still might’ve dropped. But within the context of Porter’s development, that would’ve been a concession.

Through 77 games, this has arguably been the most complete season Porter’s had as an NBA player. Defensively, teammates and coaches have remarked on his commitment, and offensively, he’s

back to the player he was two seasons ago, prior to his third back surgery. Alongside the tandem of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Porter’s 3-point shooting has bent defenses to Denver’s will.

“At this point, we’ve played with each other for multiple years now, so I think that’s just a byproduct of not being the new dude on the block, and more games together,” Porter told The Denver Post. “They’ve just grown to know where I want the ball.”

Asked about his trust level when finding Porter near the 3-point line, Jokic was unequivocal.

“I feel always it’s going in,” Jokic said.

How he arrived here wasn’t by accident.

Following a third back surgery which kept him out almost all of last season, Porter and his long-time skills trainer, Michael Messer, pored over game film from his healthy seasons. They identified areas of improvement (ball-handling, for one) and devised a plan to make him even more dangerous.

“One of your biggest attributes is your

shot, your ability to knock down shots, so how do we use that to your advantage to freeze the defender and then blow by with a little bit of change of speed and use your size and length and athleticism to get to the rim?” Messer said.

Porter’s 3-point shooting drills are rigorous. In one, he has to make 50 NBA 3-pointers without missing two in a row.

“You’re no longer allowed to get cold,” Messer said.

In another exhaustive drill that takes nearly 30 minutes, he has to make 250 out of 350 NBA 3-pointers. The first 100 are simple catch-and-shoot 3s from all around the arc. According to Messer, if the whole drill was catch-and-shoot, he’d destroy it.

The next 100 include off-the-dribble moves, which are significantly harder to shoot from, and the type that come into play when defenses are charging at you. Porter said he’s sensed defenses selling out to run him off the 3-point line. A little hesitation one way or the other can have a magnified effect on busting the perimeter defense.

The final 50 shots are about speed and concentration, with Porter not allowed to reset when he’s tired. If he doesn’t meet the threshold (71%), they do it again.

“Everybody in the league now knows he’s one of the best shooters in the world,” Messer said. “Everybody’s scouting report is try to run Mike off the line.”

Porter’s numbers compared to the 2020–21 season aren’t too dissimilar in terms of percentages and where he’s getting his shots from. That season he shot 44% from 3 while finishing 83% of his shots at the rim, according to basketballreference.com. This season, he’s at 41% from beyond the arc and 80% at the rim. And while the numbers don’t suggest a drastic difference, the fact that he underwent one more back surgery, and remains equally as effective, is remarkable.

Assistant coaches who’ve worked with him said they’ve been reinforcing exactly what he worked on in the offseason: attacking the rim. To counter opponents’ scouting reports, they want Porter to be a threat at all three levels.

OPPOSITE: Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets prepares to be introduced before the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena in Denver, Jan. 17, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

‘It’s more of a mindset,’ Porter said of his commitment to attack defenses. ‘I don’t feel perfect.’

Like a pitcher mixing in a changeup, Porter’s ability to keep the defense honest has made him more dangerous.

“He’s a lot less predictable,” Messer said.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone has seen the fruits of Porter’s efforts, which have included far fewer mental lapses defensively and a more consistent approach on both ends.

“The thing that jumps out to me, more than anything this year, obviously he’s been a much more engaged and willing and caring defender this year, and his health has allowed him to be more effective on that end,” Malone said. “He’s had the want to, but he also now has the physical abilities to do so. But offensively, what he’s shown to me, it’s really jumped off the screen is, the way he’s played with

an attack mindset. He’s not just a pretty jump shooter.

“… So now you’re dealing with a guy that can hurt you from 30 feet out, can put the ball on the floor, can get to the cup, can make his free throws, that’s helping us on defense and is rebounding at a high level,” Malone said. “That is a complete basketball player. I give Michael a tremendous amount of credit because he has taken it personally to improve both offensively and defensively.”

Porter said he’s made a concerted effort to decipher defenses and attack rather than settle.

“It’s more of a mindset,” Porter said at the end of Denver’s latest road trip. “I don’t feel perfect.”

As the Nuggets finished up practice inside of Georgetown’s gleaming basketball facility, Porter sat on a trainer’s table and fidgeted with a brace he’s worn to stabilize his left foot. Despite a consistent season, Porter said the brace has hampered his mobility.

“I’m trying to figure out my brace situation because I’m pretty stuck in certain regards with the brace that I wear,” he said. “I feel like if I can get a different brace that lets me move my foot a little more, I’ll be able to move in more directions, be a little bit more creative instead of so like, shoot or straight line drive. That’s what I’m missing now compared to high school is I could move in so many different ways and

create something out of nothing.

“It’s hard to do with the brace I’m wearing. I’m trying to figure out a way to get a more flexible brace right now, and I think that’ll help.”

Porter’s also particular about his footwear. For most of this season, he’s worn Nikes with small white swooshes that would be almost indiscernible unless you were looking for them. But Porter is a Puma brand athlete. He praised Puma’s willingness to be flexible.

“I’m with Puma all the way,” Porter said. “I hope I’m with Puma until the end of my career. The way they took a chance on me, and stuck with me. Most shoe companies wouldn’t let you wear another shoe. They’re like, ‘Mike, we want you to be comfortable, and we’re going to try to make something that you feel good in.’ I’m wearing Nikes, but I’m definitely with Puma all the way.”

There is constant maintenance for someone who’s undergone as many operations as Porter has, but, in the first year of his five-year max contract, Porter has made good on that deal thus far. His availability, as he nears a career-high in games played, has been vital to his team’s prolific offense.

Porter, seated with his feet in a cold bucket of ice water, took a deep breath when asked about what he’d accomplished this season.

“I’m very proud,” he said. “I don’t know if there’s another person out there who could’ve gone through what I’ve gone through and still been here. I think about what I don’t have a lot of times, as far as like my game, like where I want to be. But then when I look back and I’m like, where I am now, it’s still a blessing.”

ABOVE: Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets flexes as if to say, “let ’em watch, let ’em watch,” as he torches Jordan McLaughlin (6) of the Minnesota Timberwolves for 19 points in the first quarter during play at Ball Arena in Denver, Feb. 7, 2023.

AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

ABOVE: Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets passes as Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Feb. 15, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

LEFT: Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets makes a difficult layup around Christian Wood (35) of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Feb. 15, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

“In my eight years here, as you mature and you grow up — I’m still trying to grow up, I’m a Toys R’ Us kid at heart — trying to realize how do you handle failure and not let it overwhelm you and learn from failure because failure can be a great teacher if you’re willing to learn lessons from it”

LEFT: Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets handshakes with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) as he is introduced during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver, April 25, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone who hates losing more than he enjoys winning

ABOVE: Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and Jamal Murray (27) strategize during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver, April 25, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

OPPOSITE: Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets erupts after making a shot, while being fouled during the fourth quarter of Denver’s 112-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver, April 25, 2023. Denver clinched the best-of-seven series 4-1. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

From sidelines to pickleball courts, Nuggets coach Michael Malone’s searing intensity spurs conference finals run

Back in Western Conference Finals for second time in four seasons, Malone’s burning desire to win permeates throughout entire Nuggets franchise

BY MIKE SINGER • THE DENVER POST • MAY 16, 2023

The pickleball courts of downtown Minneapolis were bustling on a Saturday afternoon three weeks ago. Having seized Game 3 over the Timberwolves the night before, the Nuggets had a comfortable 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Tucked inside a Lifetime Fitness beneath the Target Center, there was an audible chatter coming from the far court. In fact, it was the only court of the three generating any noise whatsoever. There, decked out in NBA-issued gear, was Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

The fiery, occasionally stubborn eighth-year veteran has survived the incessant churn of the NBA’s coaching carousel to become the fourth-longest tenured head coach in the league. He’s also got the Nuggets back in the Western Conference Finals for the second time in four seasons, where they’ll tip off against the Lakers in Game 1 on Tuesday night.

To those who’ve watched Denver’s rise, Malone’s searing intensity, whether stalking the sidelines or barking into an

official’s ear, is an unmistakable attribute of this team. It’s as ever-present as Nikola Jokic’s wizardry or Jamal Murray’s sneer — even on the pickleball court.

It was hard to miss that Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, where somewhere between his meticulous preparation for the Wolves and a healthy first-round lead, Malone allowed himself to decompress a bit.

“It is (a reprieve), but it’s not like it’s an outlet from being competitive,” said Nuggets assistant Ryan Bowen, who was his teammate that day. “It’s maybe an exercise outlet, but it’s not a mental letdown.”

‘He’ll go at you’

Pickleball can be a game of deft and touch, agility and precision, wit and smarts. That’s not how Malone plays.

“Very aggressive player,” Bowen said. “He’ll go at you. Call them body shots. He’ll apologize right afterwards. That’s what’s funny when we play with our wives.”

Though Bowen maintained Malone

has a finesse game, he failed to flash that trait in dismantling two younger Nuggets officials in Minnesota. It was all gas, no breaks.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” Malone quipped after ripping a forehand that sent his opponents careening into no-man’s land, another point for Team Malone. Malone’s style is more hand-to-hand combat than tactical. Think John McEnroe over Roger Federer.

When one of his shots smacked an opponent in the face, knocking his glasses to the ground and dislodging a lens, he implored a bystander to take photos.

“I want this on the front page of The Denver Post tomorrow!” he said.

The scrappy Queens native has never lost his edge, and he doesn’t want to. He tried mountain biking but found that it didn’t satisfy his craving to compete. He reached the same conclusion with long-distance running. According to Bowen, even if it’s ping pong or cornhole, he’s hell-bent on winning.

Malone used to play pick-up basketball but found himself getting too worked up against his opponents.

“I stopped playing because, I mean, I was getting into it with GMs,” he said. “I would say, ‘On the court, you’re not the GM. … I don’t give a (bleep) who you are.’”

‘I can guard’

When the NBA implemented a rule change that allowed coaches to wear zipups instead of more formal attire, Malone celebrated.

“That’s the best thing about not wearing suits anymore,” he said when asked about his engagement on the sidelines. “I can get in a stance. I can guard.”

Malone surmises his players laugh at his intensity on the sidelines but “appreciate it” nonetheless.

According to Aaron Gordon, no one wants to win more than Malone, and that attitude is pervasive.

“I love it,” Gordon said. “… It doesn’t

OPPOSITE: Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone watches as Michael Porter Jr. (1) fouls Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Feb. 2, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

matter if we’re up 30 or up three, he’s on us. I respect it, and I appreciate it.”

The Nuggets were up 23 points a few minutes into the third quarter of Game 6 against the Suns when they briefly took their foot off the gas. Malone, sensing a loss of focus, erupted into a timeout.

“I don’t know why you guys call them rage timeouts,” he joked at the end of Monday’s practice.

Ever since he was a kid at summer camp, Malone said he’s always been one

who hates losing more than he enjoys winning. As a youth, he admitted that if he lost anything, tears would start rolling. Even though that’s true to his nature, Malone also knows that’s not adequate for someone in his position, someone who’s trying to lead Denver to its first-ever championship.

“In my eight years here, as you mature and you grow up — I’m still trying to grow up, I’m a Toys R’ Us kid at heart — trying to realize how do you handle

failure and not let it overwhelm you and learn from failure because failure can be a great teacher if you’re willing to learn lessons from it,” he said.

‘Happy Mother’s Day’

If you come at Malone, you better not miss. The feisty blue-collar coach doesn’t do well with slights.

Back on the pickleball court before the conference finals started, Malone and a friend were facing off against their wives.

When their spouses took the final games of the day, one of the women couldn’t help but bring it up at a high school graduation party later that night.

“Just like telling everybody,” Malone groused.

The same teams faced off again on Sunday afternoon.

“First game, 11-0,” said Malone, his voice and excitement rising. “And we beat them seven games to zero. A 7-0 (buttkicking). Happy Mother’s Day.” 

RIGHT: Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone seethes despite leading big against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on April 16, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

Malone stands alone

Michael Malone may still trail Doug Moe (432) and George Karl (423) in regular season wins as Nuggets head coach, but he’s now the franchise leader in both playoff wins (37) and playoff series wins (8) after taking the Nuggets to an NBA championship. Here’s a look at Malone’s eight-year run Denver:

LEFT: Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone yells, “Ed! Ed! Ed!” to express his displeasure of what Malone perceived as no-calls by referee Ed Malloy during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver, April 19, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

Nikola Jokic watches with Nuggets Nation as teammates carry him to within one victory of championship dream come true

Most amazing stat from 108-95 defeat of Miami? Nuggets won with Joker going scoreless the final 18:29 of game.

BY MARK KISZLA • THE DENVER POST • JUNE 9, 2023

MIAMI — For 56 years, from the first game the Rockets rolled out that red, white and blue ABA basketball to the first time Nikola Jokic’s magic made us believe it was no longer an impossible dream, everybody who loves hoops in Colorado has been waiting for this day.

The Nuggets are coming home to claim a championship.

And you better believe there’s no stopping them now.

Denver beat the Heat 108-95 to take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals and move one victory away from the first championship in franchise history.

“Let’s go Nuggets!” chanted feisty fans from Colorado, shaking South Florida with Rocky Mountain thunder, while staging a takeover of the Kaseya Center.

And on this Friday night, the Nuggets did it without Jokic being their most dominant player.

“We are not scared of the moment,” Jokic said.

Although Jokic finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds, he did not score in the final 18 minutes, 29 seconds, of Game 4. sitting in foul trouble during the most crucial minutes of the fourth quarter, when Miami was desperately scratching and clawing to make a comeback.

“You know all season long, the nonNikola minutes have been kind of a crap shoot,” coach Michael Malone said.

Malone admitted there were times when it so pained him to watch the action with Jokic alongside him on the Denver bench that he had to peek through the fingers of hands covering his eyes.

These Nuggets have grown into champs too legit to quit by discovering their swagger doesn’t have to stop when Joker takes a seat. With Denver ahead 86-76 with 9:24 remaining in the final period, the two-time MVP picked up his fifth foul when Heat center Bam Adebayo sold a flop as an offensive foul that Jokic could not believe.

Now I’m not one to waste my breath cursing referees or waste my money buying conspiracy theories, but at that moment it seemed as if the NBA might’ve been wishing and whistling for a way to extend this best-of-seven-series as long as possible.

But Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown refused to let the Nuggets succumb to negative thoughts or the fighting spirit of Jimmy Butler and the Heat.

“Our offense might not be as beautiful as it is with Nikola,” Malone said. “But the five guys out there are defending.”

For five agonizing minutes and 15 long seconds that Jokic took a seat to nurse five fouls (and take weight off a gimpy ankle he rolled early in the contest), the Nuggets stared down the challenge of Miami, allowing the Heat to cut the deficit by only a single point.

Brown scored 11 of his 21 points in the final quarter, with an aggression to the

rim that Miami coach Erik Spoelstra suggested shook his players’ confidence to get defensive stops.

“Remember, when I first came into the league, I couldn’t shoot,” said Brown, forever grateful Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth gave him a shot to play point guard when the rest of the league left him wanting for offers in free agency last summer.

During this lopsided series, one point has repeatedly been hammered painfully home to Miami. When Aaron Gordon decides to go beast mode, there’s very

OPPOSITE: Jamal Murray (27) and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets stand for the national anthem before the first half of the Nuggets’ 108-95 win over the Miami Heat during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami, June 9, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

little the Heat can do except get out of the way and wince.

Gordon, who humbly took on all the dirty jobs of a role player after being a star in Orlando, led all scorers in Game 4 with 27 points, a playoff career high. Maybe the basketball gods owed him this one. “He sacrifices himself, and that’s why I think the one upstairs gave him … the game that he had,” Jokic said.

Alex English, the leading scorer in franchise history, watched in wonder on television from afar, and took to social

media to salute “the others” who carried Jokic and the Nuggets back to Denver for the most-anticipated game in team history on Monday.

“We’re just focused, dialed in and ready to do this thing,” said Murray, whose 12 assists were a testimony to the leadership and direction he offered teammates with Jokic in foul trouble.

“We’re just ready to win a championship. We have the tools to do it. It’s been on our minds for a while. We’re just locked in. I don’t think you’ve got to overthink it. We’re

just dialed in, ready to win.”

Are you ready for this, Nuggets Nation?

Back in Colorado, Ball Arena was filled to capacity for Game 4, with championship-hungry fans cheering the heroics of the others on the big screen, celebrating the Nuggets’ fifth-straight victory on the road in these playoffs.

“I have to give a huge shoutout to the 18,000 fans in Ball Arena,” Malone said. “I remember when I first got to Denver, we couldn’t get 18,000 fans in that building when we were there.” 

RIGHT: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets coaches teammate Jeff Green (32) against the Miami Heat in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 108-95 win during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on June 9, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / DENVER POST VIA GETTY IMAGES

ABOVE: Aaron Gordon (50) gets helped up by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) after taking contact against the Miami Heat in the first half of the Nuggets’ 108-95 win during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on June 9, 2023.

AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

ABOVE LEFT: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works as Jimmy Butler (22), Max Strus (31) and Bam Adebayo (13) of the Miami Heat defend in the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on June 9, 2023.

AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

LEFT: Kevin Love (42) of the Miami Heat looks for an out let as Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets mobs him in the first half of the Nuggets’ 108-95 win during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami, June 9, 2023.

AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray soak up Nuggets’ championship parade in style: ‘They give me energy’

BY MIKE SINGER • THE DENVER POST • JUNE 15, 2023

The tallboys flew from both sides of 17th street, crashing and exploding on either side of firetruck No. 22.

On one hand, you couldn’t blame the overzealous fans soaking in the Nuggets’ championship parade, since veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was encouraging the alcoholic missiles from the crowd.

After he snared one out of thin air, a Jokic-like dart from 20 feet away that further underscored the difference between the professional athletes and the public, more fans started tossing cans from all directions. Aaron Gordon was on the same float, basking alongside Caldwell-Pope in the boisterous revelry. Between crowd roars, a new beer would smack the side of the float and momentarily jar its riders.

“The beer throwing is a dangerous game,” Gordon said afterward with a childish grin. “Dangerous but fun.”

As truck No. 22 ambled through the champions’ tunnel, Gordon pointed to his ring finger and then revved up an imaginary motorcycle almost as if he could supercharge the crowd. CaldwellPope, now a two-time champion, pointed

at two fingers. The whole time, both signed dozens of hats and basketballs that either arrived from a parade handler or fortuitously landed in their laps.

The Nuggets soaked in all the adulation that followed the franchise’s first-ever NBA title on Monday night.

Once the parade route settled at Civic Center Park, where rowdy and slurred speeches stirred the hundreds of thousands of Nuggets fans, Gordon draped a pair of custom “AG” sneakers around his neck. The never-to-be-worn sneakers were trimmed with cork, not unlike the dozens of champagne bottle tops that littered Thursday’s championship parade route. The special-edition shoes had been signed in black pen by his teammates. Gordon had his keepsake.

Nuggets vice chairman Josh Kroenke, who rode on the final float just a row behind Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the franchise’s new gleaming hardware, had his own custom sneakers. His blue-and-yellow Nike dunks had “Finals champions” adorned on the side.

Both Josh and his father, Stan, spent a few private moments with Gordon after the speeches had concluded and

the Nuggets started to filter off stage. Whatever was said underscored their decision to reach a four-year extension with him two summers ago. His value, not to mention his selflessness, was integral to their title run.

In the euphoric postgame locker room after the Nuggets secured their title, Gordon explained how he’d actively avoided outside noise to aid his championship pursuit. Part of it, he said, was going to sleep earlier throughout the postseason. Having secured the title, he broke his own rule when he hosted the after-party at one of his warehouses. He estimated the celebration went until 4 a.m.

As cameras started inching toward Gordon and Murray on Thursday, the Nuggets’ veteran power forward superseded all inquiries with his own demand.

“Put some respect on Jamal Murray’s name, please,” Gordon said into a microphone.

Another question began before Gordon interrupted.

“No, no,” said Gordon, unconvinced that his message had been heard.

“Put some respect on Jamal, please,” Gordon said. “… What more does he gotta show you? It’s a rhetorical question. You don’t even gotta answer. He’s gonna keep working, he’s gonna keep killing, and y’all gonna keep watching.”

Then he found Murray for their signature handshake.

Ever mindful, Murray stayed engaged as he and Jokic’s firetruck rolled past thousands of supporters. They brought up the end of the parade, not far behind Michael Malone’s championship float.

Like Caldwell-Pope, Murray beckoned for beer from the crowd. He teased launching a few Blue Arrows. He inhaled his championship cigar with gusto.

“The best part of the day was just being present,” he said. He did his best to keep his phone by his side.

“It wasn’t about taking videos,” Murray said. “It was just about being in the moment, appreciating the fans. … They give me energy, they give me life during the game, so I can only thank them so much.”

And when he wasn’t dousing fans in champagne, catching t-shirts from adoring fans, and grinning from

OPPOSITE: Reflected in the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, Nikola Jokic (15) rides on top of a firetruck with his daughter during the Denver Nuggets 2023 Champions Parade on June 15, 2023, in Denver. RJ SANGOSTI / THE DENVER POST

LEFT: Jamal Murray, right, and Ish Smith celebrate the NBA championship with fans at Civic Center Park in Denver, June 15, 2023. HYOUNG CHANG / THE DENVER POST

OPPOSITE: Jamal Murray goes full Champagne Papi during the team’s championship parade in downtown Denver, June 15, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

BELOW LEFT: Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky works the crowd during the team’s championship parade in downtown Denver on June 15, 2023. AARON ONTIVEROZ / THE DENVER POST

FOLLOWING PAGE: Confetti falls over Denver Nuggets fans as they gather to celebrate the Nuggets’ first NBA title at Civic Center Park in Denver on June 15, 2023. GRACE SMITH / THE DENVER POST