“They Came Back and Spanked Our A**”: Picking Nikola Jokic Over Jimmy Butler, Ex-Lakers Star Recalls His Woeful Memory Against the Nuggets

Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler are battling it out for the ultimate prize of the season. Jokic-led Nuggets are surely strong, but Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat have what it takes to turn the series around. As of today, after four games, the Nuggets are winning 3-1, and they are closer to the championship. But we have seen a 2016 LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers overcome the Gloden State Warriors’ 3-1 deficit. The Finals matchup between the number 1 seed and the number 8 seed also marked a historic occasion in NBA history. It was the first time that teams from such disparate playoff seeds faced off for the championship title.

Despite initial doubts surrounding their chances of reaching the finals, both the Heat and the Nuggets demonstrated remarkable resilience and champion mentality throughout their playoff journey. Their ability to defy expectations and perform at a high level has made for an exciting and memorable NBA Finals series. Now an ex-Laker has shared his pick for the winner.

A former Lakers star is confident about Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets

During a recent episode of ‘The Pat Bev Podcast With Ron’, Jay Williams, the former 2nd pick of the 2002 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls, engaged in a conversation with the former Lakers star Patrick Beverley. Curious about Beverley’s opinion, Williams asked for his take on the Denver Nuggets seemingly taking it easy with the Miami Heat and their defensive struggles. With an emphasis on the ‘Identity Crisis’ of the Nuggets, Williams wanted to gauge Beverley’s perspective on whether the Nuggets had what it takes defensively to emerge victorious in a matchup.

In response to Jay Williams’ question, Patrick Beverley emphasized that underestimating the Heats based on their seed in the playoffs would be a mistake. However, he referred to past experiences, specifically recalling a situation in the bubble where his former team Los Angeles Clippers had a three-game advantage over the Nuggets, only to witness Denver make an impressive comeback. He said, “I’ve been watching the Denver, the whole series.” He added “We up 3-0 in the bubble, they came back and smacked our a**.”

Beverley acknowledged the resilience and competitiveness of the Nuggets, cautioning against assuming an easy victory.

Sep 13, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) and LA Clippers guard Patrick Beverley (21) go for the ball during the second quarter in game six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsBeverley further elaborated on his observations of the Nuggets, noting that he had closely followed their performance throughout the series. He acknowledged their tenacity and ability to come back from seemingly insurmountable deficits. This resilience showcased their determination and the challenges they could pose to the already-behind Heat. Beverley’s firsthand experience of the Nuggets’ ability to turn the tide in critical moments served as a reminder that overlooking them would be a grave mistake.

Denver Nuggets are one game away from winning the championship

After the Denver Nuggets secured a decisive 108-95 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night, Nikola Jokic expressed his admiration for his team’s mindset. Despite facing adversity in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, where they suffered a loss, the Nuggets showcased their resilience and elevated their performance. Contrary to expectations, they managed to win both subsequent road games, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. This impressive display of execution and determination has pushed the Nuggets into a favorable position as they aim to secure the championship title.

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What do you think about the Nuggets’ chances of winning the series in the next game? Share your thoughts in the comments!