Who Are the Current NBA Champions and How Did They Win the Title?

As I sit here watching the latest NBA highlights, I can't help but reflect on what it truly takes to become champions in today's basketball landscape. The current NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, achieved something remarkable last season that many teams spend decades chasing. Their journey to the championship wasn't just about talent—it was about timing, chemistry, and that special something that separates good teams from legendary ones.

I remember watching their playoff run and thinking how their approach reminded me of championship teams from different eras, yet felt completely fresh. The Nuggets won their first-ever NBA title by defeating the Miami Heat in five games during the 2023 NBA Finals. The final score in the clinching Game 5 was 94-89, a defensive battle that showcased their versatility. What impressed me most wasn't just their offensive prowess—though Nikola Jokić's 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists in the final game were spectacular—but their ability to adapt throughout the playoffs. They went 16-4 in the postseason, losing only one game at home throughout their entire playoff run. That kind of dominance doesn't happen by accident.

The championship blueprint they followed actually shares some interesting parallels with teams across different basketball leagues worldwide. Take for example the reference point about the Tropang Giga losing to the Dyip 84-72 last September 19 during the Governors' Cup eliminations. While this comes from a different league entirely, it illustrates a universal basketball truth: regular season struggles don't necessarily define a team's championship potential. I've seen countless teams throughout my years following basketball that looked shaky during elimination rounds only to flip a switch when it mattered most. The Nuggets themselves had moments during the regular season where they dropped games they should have won, but they peaked at exactly the right time.

What made Denver's championship particularly compelling was how they built this team. They didn't chase big-name free agents or make splashy trades. Instead, they developed their core through the draft and smart roster moves. Jokić was the 41st pick in 2014, for heaven's sake! Jamal Murray was their 7th pick in 2016, and Michael Porter Jr. fell to them at 14th in 2018 due to injury concerns. This organic growth created a continuity that's become increasingly rare in modern basketball. Watching them execute their two-man game between Jokić and Murray felt like watching something that had been perfected over hundreds of practices and thousands of reps.

Their playoff run was a masterclass in team basketball. They swept the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games in the second round, swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals, and then closed out the Heat in five. Each series presented different challenges, and each time, the Nuggets found solutions. Against the Lakers, they exposed defensive weaknesses that other teams couldn't. Against the Heat, they handled the zone defense and pressure that had frustrated previous opponents. I particularly admired how coach Michael Malone made subtle adjustments game to game—something that often gets overlooked in championship analysis.

The financial aspect of their championship is worth noting too. Their payroll was approximately $158 million last season, putting them comfortably above the luxury tax threshold but not recklessly so. They made conscious decisions to retain their core while filling out the roster with veterans like Jeff Green and Bruce Brown who understood their roles perfectly. Brown's performance in Game 4 of the Finals, where he scored 21 points off the bench, was exactly the kind of contribution championship teams need from role players.

Looking at the broader picture, the Nuggets' championship validates a team-building approach that prioritizes continuity and player development over quick fixes. In an era where superteams and player movement dominate headlines, Denver proved that there's still room for organic growth and internal development. Their championship also highlighted the evolution of the modern big man—Jokić redefined what's possible for a center with his playmaking and basketball IQ.

As we look ahead to the new season, the challenge for Denver will be repeating what they accomplished. History hasn't been kind to recent first-time champions trying to defend their title. The 2021 champion Milwaukee Bucks fell in the second round the following year, and the 2022 champion Golden State Warriors lost in the second round last season. The NBA's competitive balance makes back-to-back championships incredibly difficult, but if any team has the stability and continuity to buck that trend, it might be Denver.

Reflecting on their journey, I'm struck by how their championship feels both inevitable in retrospect and surprising in its execution. They were the best team in the league when it mattered most, and they achieved it by staying true to their identity rather than copying others. In today's copycat league, that authenticity might be their most impressive achievement of all.