MANIL A – Several Western Visayas-based sports personalities are favoring Denver Nuggets over Miami Heat in the 2022-2023 NBA Finals, which will begin on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Majority of the coaches and sports personalities from the region interviewed by Panay News on Thursday see the Nuggets hoisting their first-ever NBA championship trophy at the expense of the Heat.
Joseph Guion, Emilio Aguinado College Generals assistant coach:
“Denver Nuggets have the height advantage over the Miami Heat. Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon are too big to handle for Miami and the Heat have never faced a big oriented team like the Nuggets this offseason. I see Jamal Murray being the X-factor for the Nuggets.” Nuggets in 5.
Rodolfo Go Villaruz, Gametime Sports founder:
“Miami Heat will be having a hard time guarding Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic since it is only Bam Adebayo who is their pure center. I also see Aaron Gordon flourishing in the Finals not just on offense but also as a defender to (Heat guard) Jimmy Butler.”
“If Jamal Murray-Jokic duo can put up 50-60 combined points per game and/or Michael Porter Jr. can contribute efficiently, it might be a short finals series. But Miami still has potent outside shooting, especially with the impending return of Tyler Herro and emergence of Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson.”
“Although it is important to note the hard work and hard earned mentality of Miami, all of them must stay consistent to beat Denver one game at a time.” Nuggets in 5.
Jophil Cercado, University of San Agustin men’s basketball head coach:
“Both teams are organized and disciplined but Denver will have an edge on Nikola Jokic. Miami needs to contain or limit Jokic’s ball touches and also needs a warm body to play physical defense not just on Jokic but on other Denver guards.” Nuggets in 5.
Dexter Dy, retired basketball coach:
“For me, Denver has the edge in the series since the Jokic-Murray two-man game is very difficult to defense and no one from the Miami side can match well against Jokic. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s coaching might get them at least two wins but when Nuggets coach Mike Malone made some adjustments, they will have no answer to Nikola Jokic’s versatility as a player.” Nuggets in 6.
Porsche Bernil of Tigbauan Ninjas:
“Denver has the edge because of their home court advantage. Miami Heat has no one to defend Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray has no offnight with his shootong.” Nuggets in 6.
Prandy Wong, Dingle National High School women’s basketball coach:
“Miami Heat’s frontline is too undersized to defend Nikola Jokic. No one from the Heat’s side can stop Jokic at the painted area. If Miami will attempt to double-team Jokic, Denver’s shooter will be wide open. Denver will also have a hard time stopping Miami’s Jimmy Butler.” Nuggets in 6.
Ray Cabarles, Iloilo province sports development officer IV:
“Denver has the height advantage in all positions. In basketball, height is might. The team who controls the board wins the series and Nuggets is dominant in that aspect. Jokic is averaging 16 rebounds or more during the Lakers series. So, it’s very tough for Miami to get rebounds. Not only that he is dominant inside but an offensive threat in all corners of the floor. Plus, he is a good facilitator.”
“Although Miami proved in the playoffs by knocking down bigger teams but Nuggets have different pedigrees of players. The only way Miami could win the series is when they consistently continue knocking down shots from d arc. And that’s quite impossible.” Nuggets in 6.
Jeffrey Abool, Hercor College Junior Jaguars head coach:
“I think Denver has the advantage since they are well-rested and Miami has just finished their series but the momentum is on the side of the Heat since they came from a big win over Boston Celtics. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray will be huge for Denver as well as their supporting group of Bruce Brown, Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell Pope.” Nuggets in 6.
Francis Barcellano, former TNT Tropang Giga player:
“Nikola Jokic’s basketball IQ and the way Jamal Murray has played for the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs will be a huge factor in this championship series.” Nuggets in 6.
Vincent Conlu, Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix head coach:
“Denver Nuggets have the edge over Miami Heat in all aspects in this finals series. Nikola Jokic and Bruce Brown will serve as X-factors for the Nuggets.” Nuggets in 6.
Yong Despi, Former Bacolod Tay Tung High School head coach:
“Both teams are underrated but I think Denver will come out on top with the crown. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are huge problems defensively for Miami and Denver also has a deeper bench.” Nuggets in 7.
While most see the Nuggets winning the series, there are also a few who see the Heat taking home its first-ever NBA championship since the LeBron James era.
Richard Gabayoyo, National Basketball Training Center Region 6 head:
“Denver Nuggets were hungry to win its first-ever NBA championship but Miami Heat has the edge in terms of experience, which is vital in a title series. Jimmy Butler will play a huge role for Miami against Denver.” Heat in 5.
Bayani Ladrido, Chairman’s Cup Operations Head:
“With a healthy lineup and championship experience. I see the Miami Heat winning over the Denver Nuggets in this series.” Heat in 5 or 6.
John Guanco, St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets head coach:
“Personally, I am a Miami Heat fan, actually a big fan of Pat Riley (former Heat coach). Miami has the edge because they reached the finals two seasons ago and they are the hungrier and more determined team since most of their players are undrafted and want to prove that they belong here. I see Caleb Martin continuing his stellar playoffs performance.” Heat in 6.
Alrey Lagman of Iloilo National High School:
“This is going to be an interesting finals series with their game adjustments and talented lineups. Also both teams showed their different chemistry through the playoffs round. Denver has the edge in terms of rest and will have Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Kentavious Caldwell Pope as their X-factors but Miami has an advantage with their shooters Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler and the championship experience of Kyle Lowry.” Heat in 6.
JJ Javelosa, Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife president:
“Both teams are eyeing history, Denver to win their first-ever NBA title and Miami to become the first no.8 seed team to hoist a crown. But, for me, Miami has the edge in coaching since Eric Spoelstra’s team is composed of unheralded players who perform beyond expectation.”
“While Denver has the size advantage, I am personally rooting for Miami Heat since coach Eric is half-Filipino. But one thing is sure, this is going to be an entertaining series.” Heat in 7.
Tata Belangel, founder of TJ7 Basketball Development Center:
“For me, Miami Heat will win it because championship series is not about the rankings anymore but more on experience and grit. I also see that the coaching genius of Eric Spoelstra will make a difference in this series.” Heat in 6./PN
