It's the first NBA title for Joker and the majority of roster. It's also the first ring for Denver after a 47-year wait.
"It's good. It's good. The job is done. We can go home now."
Two-time Most Valuable Player and now Finals MVP Nikola Jokic on Tuesday delivered the most utterly low-key and deadpan reaction to winning the Denver Nuggets' first-ever NBA title after beating the Miami Heat in Game 5, 94-89.
It's so low-key for the first player in NBA history to lead all players in points, rebounds, and assists in a single postseason.
Pretty funny considering he is the lowest drafted NBA player to win the Finals MVP award
—and during a taco commercial too.
He even went to shake hands with the Heat before celebrating.
"We knew they are a great team, amazing team that I respect a lot," Jokic said of Miami. "It was an ugly game. At the end, we figured out how to defend. That's why we won the game."
"That's why basketball is fun."
"They underestimate his resolve, his unbelievable work ethic," coach Michael Malone said after the game.
And for the Nuggets, Jokic's runner-up finish to what would have been his third MVP title doesn't matter. He's their real MVP.
"Jokic is a great person, husband, father, son, brother," Malone added. "On the basketball court, he has proven time and time again that he's the best player in the NBA."
"He's our MVP and we're grateful he's in a Nuggets uniform."
Now he can celebrate with his brothers.
Only feels right that the recipient of the Bill Russell Finals MVP award goes to a center.
Malone though is not content with Denver's first-ever NBA title.
"We're not satisfied we won. We want more!"
(GM)