The Denver Nuggets advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in the team’s history. Initially skeptical about the Nuggets’ chances of contending for the championship, Lakers icon Magic Johnson had underplayed the side’s potential, in favor of his former team. The Nuggets, however, became the first team to beat the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena this playoff, a feat that has seemingly helped convince those who didn’t believe in Denver’s shout for a championship.
The Nuggets have looked like a proper team, with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray putting up an offensive clinic in the Playoffs. Despite losing the MVP title to Joel Embiid, it seems the Joker is determined to secure the ultimate prize in the NBA.
Magic Johnson apologizes after Lakers claim
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The Los Angeles Lakers boast an impressive record of holding the most NBA Championship titles, with a significant contribution from the legendary point guard, Magic Johnson. Initially doubtful of the Denver Nuggets’ ability to reach the league’s pinnacle, the five-time champion was compelled to apologize as Nikola Jokic and Denver swept his former Lakers in the playoffs.
Magic Johnson is greatly impressed by the dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who have been wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. The Lakers struggled to contain Jokic’s exceptional playmaking skills, leading to their elimination from championship contention. Now, Magic firmly believes that the Nuggets pose a serious threat to either team, the Heat and the Celtics, qualifying from the Eastern Conference.
I have to apologize to the Denver Nuggets, they proved that they are a better and more talented team in their victory over the Lakers tonight. They put both teams in the Eastern Conference on notice that they are committed to winning a championship!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 21, 2023
Magic Johnson, after the dust had settled on the Lakers’ Game-4 elimination, made yet another bold declaration regarding Nikola Jokic’s performance in the postseason, particularly against his former team.
Magic believes Jokic is changing the game of basketball
Johnson believes that Jokic has already cemented his place as an all-time great and is revolutionizing the game, putting the Joker on the same level as league icon, Michael Jordan, and even Lakers legends like Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This viewpoint sparked considerable debate among basketball circles, with many reacting to it on Twitter. Here are a few reactions:
Do you think when you played, lol Joker could have come across the lane 3 guys right there and been able to get off a shot cruising through the lane without a hard foul. How many of those hard fouls could he take. So, Joker is badass: range touch rebound tough but @NBA has made…
— Douglas Ray (@TheMarharaja) May 24, 2023
Is he, though?
— SL Myer ☮️ (@arctiger) May 24, 2023
he not changing the game, he changing the game plan where everything starts with him up top, usually it starts with the pg
— Mattie (@reshirm2) May 24, 2023
Not everyone was in agreement with the perspective of the three-time MVP. Some individuals expressed the belief that either the league has become less competitive or that Jokic doesn’t belong in the same category as the players mentioned by Magic Johnson.
He is and he’s doing it without much fan fare.
ESPN and the talking heads would rather spend all day talking about anything else besides what Jokic is doing.
Thank you for this 🙏— Td (@Td00392420) May 24, 2023
Joker is the undisputed best player in the game the last 3 years
Don’t @ me— Jay Walton (@JayWalt16347662) May 24, 2023
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Numerous individuals echoed Magic Johnson’s viewpoint, asserting that Jokic has been the premier player in the league for several years. While opinions differ on whether he is truly revolutionizing the game, there is a consensus that the two-time MVP plays a pivotal role in Denver’s quest for the championship. It will be intriguing to witness if Jokic can overcome the challenge posed by the Eastern Conference champions and secure the side’s inaugural NBA title.
WATCH THIS STORY: Nikola Jokic’s wholesome ring moment with daughter.
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