Rob Schuessler curiously looked at the shirts on sale in front of the Denver Ball. The 47-year-old engineer, who works for a healthcare startup, attended an NBA final for the first time Thursday, that of the Nuggets versus the Miami Heat. She wore one of the most original pieces of clothing as she browsed the merchandise on the stand. On his t-shirt, which he bought online, was a photo of a slightly overweight shirtless teenager looking directly at the camera. Above the picture is Denver Nuggets, twice Most Valuable Player. Colorado has entrusted itself to this taciturn-looking young man named Nikola Jokic to win his first title in nearly half a century.
The picture that Schuessler proudly wears on his chest keeps appearing on social networks. Usually arguing that anything is possible, it is one of the most popular sports stories in the United States. The teenager from Sombor, Serbia, became the second player after Jason Kidd to make his debut in a final with a triple double. Jokic, who contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, has proven his dominance in his eight years in the league. NBA analysts liken him to Tim Duncan, the San Antonio Spurs’ historic power forward who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Jokic, City’s first major international sensation since the days of Dikembe Mutombo, began his NBA story in the middle of a deep sleep. In 2014, sports network ESPN announced as an onscreen footnote that he had been drafted 41st overall by the Nuggets while a Taco Bell commercial aired. His older brother Nemanja, who was in New York, called to congratulate him. Nikola slept at his parents’ house in Serbia. “How is it possible that you are sleeping? You just got drafted into the NBA!” Nemanja told him.
Today, Jokic’s number 15 is ubiquitous near Ball Stadium in Denver. The last name accompanies most fans’ t-shirts. Also present is Canadian Jamal Murray’s 27, another key member of real estate magnate Stan Kroenke’s team (also owners of the Los Angeles Rams, hockey’s Colorado Avalanche, MLS’s Colorado Rapids and the Premier’s Arsenal). ). .
The number 15 is also fueling controversy. It was the number used by Carmelo Anthony, the third pick in the 2003 draft. Anthony, who announced his retirement from professional basketball a few days ago, joined a team that had a disastrous record of 17 wins and 65 losses could show. Melo was instrumental in transforming the team. The following season, they achieved 43 wins and 39 losses and reached the playoffs, but were eliminated in the first round.
View of the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. JAMIE SCHWABEROW (Getty Images via AFP)
Some fans don’t have fond memories of Anthony, who spent eight years with Denver and led the team to the 2009 Western Finals against the Lakers (they lost 4-2). “Why would the nuggets be the ones to take out Carmelo’s number 15? He left because he really wanted to play for the Knicks. “I don’t see anyone asking New York to withdraw their number,” says Ed, a fan of the team. Many like him believe the number should be withdrawn after Jokic leaves court.
origin of the rebels
The story of the nuggets doesn’t start with the Serbian superstar. Despite being one of eleven teams never to have won an NBA title, the group traces its origins to the American Basketball Association (ABA). This is considered the rebellious sister of the current Professional Basketball League. It emerged in 1967 as an NBA rival with 11 teams, including the Denver Rockets (Nuggets since 1974), a blue-white-red tricolor ball, a rapid pace and rules very attractive to fans, such as triples. In Denver, the slam dunk competition was born at the 1976 ABA All-Star Game.
The last ABA final was played that year. The Nuggets played the New York Nets of Julius Erving, known as Dr. J. The Easterners won the series 4-2. The NBA has adopted four teams from the competitive league. Along with Denver came the Drs. J’s Nets, the San Antonio Spurs and the Indiana Pacers. The Colorado players were the only ones who hadn’t played in the finals yet.
Part of that ancient history is present in the NBA Finals. Dan Issel, a former ABA player, was responsible for the honor free throw in the first home game against the Miami Heat. With 16,589 points, Issel is Denver’s second-best scorer. He is only surpassed by Alex English (21,645). The third is Anthony and the fourth is Nikola Jokic.
David Thompson, another survivor of the 1975 Nuggets final, assures that the Serbian center will pay off a year-long debt. “He can finally finish the job we couldn’t,” he told the AP this week. This would be the arrival of the first Larry O’Brien Trophy in Denver.
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