Getty Image / Matthew Stockman
Game 1 of the NBA Finals kicks off on Thursday night as the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat play for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Players on both teams have been in talks with the media throughout the week hyping up the matchup. However, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is winning fans over.
While fielding questions at a press conference, Jokic was asked about his team being favored to win the series against the Heat.
“Joker” quickly shut down any notion of the Nuggets being favored and provided an answer that is winning fans over. Here’s what he had to say, per NBA TV.
"I think in the Finals, there are no favorites."
Nikola Jokic in response to Denver being considered favorites against Miami pic.twitter.com/haFeq4CQYF
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 31, 2023
This is a great mindset to have entering the NBA Finals. Even though the Nuggets are favored in the betting odds, Nikola Jokic refuses to view the Heat as an underdog.
That’s probably a great choice considering how well Miami has played throughout the playoffs. They’ve already knocked off the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference, so why can’t they upset Denver?
Either way, NBA fans are loving this humble response from Jokic.
Humble Serbian. I love it
— PlaybyPlayBark (@playbyplaybark) May 31, 2023
Nobody should be sleeping on the Heat.
He's right because anyone can be beat
— John Pestano 🦁💙💙☺️ (@Lionsbadboy) June 1, 2023
ALL CAPS.
HUMBLE AND COOL AS CAN BE (SELFLESS)
— Doris Miller (@LiviaDMiller) June 1, 2023
This might be how the Nugget are viewing the Heat.
The Heat aren’t a great team on paper but they are well coached and never quit. I think Denver will win but it’ll be a battle.
— EGCollins (@EGCollins) June 1, 2023
Grab the popcorn.
War ready ⚔️⚔️⚔️
— Juan Mortiz (@AyoGoatsunmu) June 1, 2023
Overall, this should be an entertaining series. We have arguably the best player in the world in Nikola Jokic going up against arguably the best playoff performer in the league in Jimmy Butler.
This should be a fun matchup and we just hope it’s closely contested throughout. Make sure to tune into Game 1 on Thursday night on ABC and/or ESPN+.