For the next few months, hopefully through June, I’m going to write a column every Thursday about the Denver Nuggets championship chase. Having already won last season’s championship, it’s only fitting that this column is all about defending that title. Topics will always focus on that title defense in this column, ranging from Denver’s power level, to their lineup flexibility, to upcoming opponents, and much more.

The goal of this column: to prepare readers for what’s to come and to document the journey along the way.

Last night, the Denver Nuggets won their second 2023 NBA Finals rematch vs the Miami Heat 100-88.

Nikola Jokic, in uncharacteristic fashion, tallied just 12 points and six assists. Jokic shot 5-of-8 from the field, 2-of-3 from the free throw line, and didn’t attempt a three. It was an impressive performance from Heat center Bam Adebayo, who limited the production of the two-time MVP who’s soon to be in line for a third. Jokic has had very few games this season when the combination of scoring and playmaking has been limited to that degree, especially when playing 38 minutes.

And yet, the Nuggets won handily by the end. Michael Porter Jr. stepped up with 25 points, hitting open shots and taking advantage of Miami’s unwillingness to rotate away from Jokic and Jamal Murray. Aaron Gordon played a solid game, attacking the basket vs smaller players throughout the evening. Even Reggie Jackson and the Nuggets bench got involved with a productive second half, giving the Nuggets the breathing room necessary to pull away late.

It was a healthy reminder of Denver’s championship vision and how it extends beyond Jokic, despite him being at the center of it all.

Jokic is so often in the middle of Denver’s efforts from a statistical perspective that it’s easy to identify patterns of individual and team success. Watching him every night, you pick up on the rhythms of his production and efficiency. He exerts the effort needed for the game. Sometimes, that means he presses a personal advantage, getting into the paint and scoring efficiently. That often causes teams to rotate over to him, freeing up teammates for open shots and opportunities. Sometimes, Jokic spends the initial parts of the game setting the table for shooters and cutters, knowing that he and Murray will run the two-man game when the time comes.

And sometimes, nights like last night occur. Bam was NOT going to let Jokic get any of the shots he normally likes, and the Nuggets didn’t feel the need to force them. With Bam staying glued to Jokic 1-on-1 with help rotating behind him, the best way for the Nuggets to score was to trust everyone else. That led to jumpers for Murray and Porter. Murray missed most of his and was also receiving heavy attention from the Heat defense, but Porter was the primary beneficiary, stepping up when the Nuggets needed him once again. He was Denver’s “zone buster” as well, spotting up along the perimeter and hitting some impressive shots.

It was a great example of the team the Nuggets have been around Jokic, something that often gets lost in the mythos of the greatest player of this generation. Jokic often serves as an amplifier of skill sets, maximizing what the team needs at any given time. It’s the most important skill of any player in the NBA and allows the Nuggets to reach levels no other teams can.

But too often, it’s underdiscussed just how good those supporting cast players are, often minimized down to being “Jokic merchants” or the like.

Where would the Nuggets be without Jamal Murray? He’s one of the most unique stars in the NBA, one of the best guards in the playoffs. He’s playing excellent basketball post All-Star Break. When I brought up his All-NBA case (an award he’s no longer eligible for due to the odd playing time requirements) I was mostly laughed at. A player who, in separate playoff series, averaged 30-5-5 on 50/40/90 in the Western Conference Finals and averaged 20 points and 10 assists in the NBA Finals. Historic stat lines.

Where would Denver be without Aaron Gordon? This was the trade that unlocked Denver’s title chances with his ability to complete certain lineups with defense, athleticism, and rim pressure. He was passed over for an All-Star appearance last season in favor of Jaren Jackson Jr., who’s certainly fine but hasn’t been able to lift up the Memphis Grizzlies in any serious way this year without Ja Morant. Gordon this year has had some seriously impressive finishes and is the other half of Denver’s show-stopping clutch time sequence that we are officially coining the “Finale-Oop.”

What about Michael Porter Jr.? The Nuggets sharpshooting forward has played in 65 of the 66 Nuggets games this year, an incredible feat after three back surgeries. The Nuggets are trusting him with more and more responsibility on both ends of the floor this year, and Porter has stepped up in a big way. Not only is he shooting 39.9% from three-point range (gotta keep pushing that up to 40%) but he’s averaging 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and playing better defense. Porter’s now at a regular season career high in games played, rarely comes off the floor in crunch time, and is expanding his game in helpful ways. Among the players to attempt at least 150 shots between 10 and 22 feet this season (mid-range area) Porter ranks 1st in the NBA with a 54.1 FG%.

What about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? The Nuggets defensive wing is shutting down the opposition and deserves All-Defensive team honors this year. Caldwell-Pope is one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders in the NBA today, using his hands and feet better than almost anyone. He’s an incredibly smart player, and he’s perhaps the most important factor in Denver’s clutch defensive rating ranking 2nd in the NBA. Caldwell-Pope often takes on the matchup against the opposing team’s best perimeter player, and Caldwell-Pope’s holding opposing players to lower volume and efficiency than the vast majority of defensive “stoppers.”

When the Nuggets starting lineup plays, the Nuggets have a record of 32-9. Jokic is obviously at the center of that, but he’s not all of it. It’s what the others do that allows Denver to unlock a world of possibilities.

There’s a very distinct possibility that Jokic never plays with another (current) All-Star or All-NBA player during his career. Murray is the closest, but for one reason or another, he’s been unable to sustain peak levels early in seasons that set his statistical resume behind other players. I think Murray will eventually crack that threshold, but it hasn’t happened to this point. If it never happens, it will be another talking point for those hoping to prop up Jokic’s legacy in debates vs other current and former legends.

But don’t let that distract you from just how great the Nuggets are because they are a team. Jokic sets the table for others to succeed, and they often do succeed because they’re really good, even great players in their own rights. When facing the Nuggets, opponents are facing the most connected team in the sport. They read each other’s movements and intentions in ways other teams can only hope to match. They feed off of each other’s success.

Jokic should and will ultimately receive the most credit, but it’s his teammates that truly set the Nuggets apart.