As it stands, the NBA Finals are tied at one game a piece heading to Miami. While the two teams that are involved don’t have the biggest fanfare, there are two superstars involved that have an abundance to gain.
Top 75 conversations
Jimmy Butler is a five time All-NBA member, six time All-Star, and five time All-Defensive team member. Butler has also cemented himself as one of the greatest Playoff risers in the Association over the past two seasons. Butler led teams have often embraced the underdog role and have toppled titans year in and year out. This season is no different. With a chance to take an 8th seeded team from the Play-In to a Finals victory is legacy defining.
With his already padded resume along with a potential history making championship, Butler can very well see himself in Top 75 conversations. The NBA’s official list has garnered quite a bit of controversy since being released in 2022. Meanwhile, there were many debates over who was left off or who should be replaced. Moreover, his all-world level intensity and a number key postseason games, a ring can help Butler leapfrog a few players in that very list.
Joker becomes an all-timer
Who could imagine a second round pick drafted during a Taco Bell commercial being the driving force to a championship? A player who has won a pair of MVP’s along with a ring is already a hall of famer. However, Nikola Jokic is only 28 years old and has plenty of efficient, record breaking basketball in front of him. Jokic’s run isn’t even a decade deep, this leaves ample room for his resumé to improve further.
A Finals victory in his first appearance and presumably a Finals MVP to his name is enough to have him in top 50 discussions. Furthermore he would also be responsible for bringing the Mile High City its first championship. In a lot of media discourse, Jokic is already the greatest player to ever wear a Nuggets jersey. Adding a championship (maybe more) to his already storied careers can very well strengthen that argument.
Both of these players and franchises have a lot to garner from a Finals victory this year. The Nuggets establish themselves as a top contender for the next few years. The Miami Heat return to their championship glory after not winning the big one since the LeBron James era. Either way it goes, these two teams may not have the most storied history between each other. However, they are both competing for a chance at history which makes this an extremely compelling NBA Finals.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
