The Denver Nuggets have achieved their first championship ring, thanks to an exemplary and patient process. This success can be attributed to the unique playing style of Nikola Jokic and his humble demeanor. The journey began almost a decade ago when the Serbian center was selected 41st in the draft, initially going unnoticed.

Over time, the Nuggets have built a strong collective unit under the guidance of Michael Malone. They did not chase after big-name stars or let the serious injury of Jamal Murray in 2021 derail their progress. Instead, they patiently waited and used setbacks as opportunities for growth. This season, they have finally taken a significant step forward.

While the road ahead may be challenging, the Nuggets are determined to establish themselves as a dynasty. With Jokic and Murray both in their twenties, they have a promising future ahead.

The Miami Heat have demonstrated that they can achieve great things with limited resources. Despite facing the best team of the regular season, the Milwaukee Bucks, in the first round, the Heat were initially overlooked. They had already proven themselves by securing a playoff spot after finishing eighth in the regular season and overcoming challenges in the play-in games.

Furthermore, the Heat entered the postseason with the worst offensive rating among all playoff teams. They also had to deal with injuries to key players like Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro. However, they believed in themselves and exceeded expectations by reaching the Finals, eliminating strong opponents along the way such as the Bucks, the Knicks, and the Celtics.

The Heat’s success can be attributed to the exceptional performance of Jimmy Butler, who displayed his brilliance with a remarkable 56-point game against the Bucks. Erik Spoelstra’s tactical acumen and leadership also played a crucial role in guiding the team. Additionally, the contributions of undrafted players like Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, and Duncan Robinson have been instrumental in their journey.

While the Heat have achieved significant milestones in recent years, including two Finals appearances and one Conference Finals appearance, they are eager to take the next step and secure a championship. This summer, they are actively seeking a star player, with Bradley Beal being a potential target.

Complex case to judge the Los Angeles Lakers, far from failure but not reaching the level of others. However, when considering their Conference Finals in the context of the season, the result can be considered outstanding.

The Lakers, in purple and gold, were afraid of experiencing another embarrassment like last season when they failed to make it to the playoffs. This fear was amplified during the summer due to the limited salary space caused by Russell Westbrook’s massive contract worth 47 million euros. These fears were confirmed with a disappointing start of 2-10.

However, in his rookie season as head coach, Darwin Ham managed to guide the Lakers through their roster deficiencies and the intermittent injuries of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Eventually, Rob Pelinka fixed the summer disaster in the winter market with a master class that included the departure of Russell Westbrook.

The arrivals of D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, along with the unexpected growth of Austin Reaves, provided a much-needed boost for the Los Angeles team. They made a final push and secured a spot in the play-in tournament after spending most of the season outside of the playoff positions.

Once in the playoffs, the Lakers gave LeBron the opportunity to compete for another championship. They reached the Conference Finals after defeating the promising Grizzlies and the reigning champions, the Warriors. Although they were ultimately beaten 4-0, the Lakers put up a strong fight in most of the games. Now, they are in search of an All-Star caliber point guard, as it remains uncertain whether Russell, a free agent, will stay. The upcoming summer will also be crucial for LeBron’s future decisions.

Against all odds, Mike Brown and Jordi Fernandez have created something remarkable with the Sacramento Kings, making them one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. After 17 years, the California team not only returned to the playoffs with a third-place finish in the West but also pushed the Golden State Warriors to their limits in the first round. The Warriors had to come back from a 2-0 deficit and heavily rely on Stephen Curry’s outstanding performance of 50 points in Game 7 to secure the victory.

The Kings, led by the dynamic duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, have captivated fans with their fast-paced and aggressive style of play. They have established themselves as the best offensive team in NBA history during the regular season, boasting an offensive rating of 118.6.

As a testament to their sensational season, Mike Brown was awarded Coach of the Year, while Fox was recognized as the Clutch player. Additionally, Jordi Fernández’s coaching abilities have garnered attention from several NBA teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Phoenix Suns, further highlighting the exceptional work done in Sacramento.

Similar to the Kings, the New York Knicks are experiencing a positive shift and laying the foundation for future success. The team from the Big Apple reached the Conference Semifinals, marking a significant achievement after a decade of mediocrity.

The Knicks showcased their potential by pushing their opponents to the limit. They forced the series against the Atlanta Hawks to go to seven games, ultimately falling short. However, the Knicks demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the playoffs.

Under the guidance of their coaching staff, including Mike Brown and Jordi Fernandez, the Knicks have shown glimpses of a promising future. With the right development and strategic moves, the Knicks have the potential to become a formidable force in the coming years.

The Knicks’ New Star: Jalen Brunson

After the retirement of Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks have found a new leader and star player in Jalen Brunson. Under the guidance of coach Tom Thibodeau, the team surprised everyone by eliminating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the disappointing performance of Julius Randle, the Knicks are determined to add more quality to their roster and continue their success. The key focus is on improving their shooting abilities.

Big Flops: Dallas Mavericks

From Conference Finals… to Tanking

The Dallas Mavericks’ performance this season has been a major disappointment. After reaching the Conference Finals in the previous season, expectations were high for the team led by Luka Doncic. However, Doncic found himself carrying the team alone most of the time, and the arrival of Kyrie Irving in February only made things worse. The Mavericks dropped from 4th to 11th place, and their season ended with a devastating tanking against the Bulls. One of the main issues was the lack of a center who could contribute both offensively and defensively. The future of Kyrie Irving with the team remains uncertain.

Big Flops: Milwaukee Bucks

The Failure that Antetokounmpo Denies

The Milwaukee Bucks’ failure to advance in the playoffs was a huge disappointment. Despite having the best record of the season, they were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury in the first three games cannot be used as an excuse for the team’s poor performance. The Bucks struggled to contain Jimmy Butler and lacked creativity against Miami’s defense. The team’s coach, Mike Budenholzer, faced personal tragedy with the death of his brother and was subsequently fired. The Bucks are now looking to regroup under new coach Adrian Griffin and make another run with Giannis in his prime. The future of Brook Lopez and Chris Middleton, both free agents, is also uncertain.

Big Flops: Philadelphia 76ers

The Embiid Complex and a Curse

The Philadelphia 76ers’ inability to advance past the Conference Semifinals is yet another disappointment for the team. Since their loss in the 2001 Finals against the Lakers, the Sixers have struggled to make it past the second round. Joel Embiid, despite his MVP-worthy performance, has consistently underperformed in the playoffs. In Game 7 against the Celtics, he scored only 15 points on a 5/18 shooting. The team’s new coach, Nick Nurse, will have the challenging task of changing the losing mentality of the Sixers and Embiid. The future of James Harden with the team is uncertain, and the Sixers need to explore alternative strategies to complement their star players.

In Phoenix, all eyes are focused on the championship ring, especially after coming so close in the 2021 Finals, where the Bucks made a comeback from a 2-0 deficit. However, just like the previous year, the Suns fell short once again with their elimination in the Conference Semifinals.

The fact that they were eliminated by the eventual champions, the Nuggets, can be seen as a mitigating factor. However, the presence of Kevin Durant on the roster can be considered an aggravating factor, as much more was expected from a team that boasted the stratospheric trio of the 2014 MVP, Devin Booker, and Chris Paul.

Unfortunately, a new injury to Chris Paul disrupted the Suns’ plans, and Deandre Ayton also failed to live up to expectations, struggling to defend against Jokic. Additionally, the bench provided little contribution. The upcoming summer may see the departure of the 38-year-old point guard, and the blame for the team’s shortcomings has already led to the dismissal of Monty Williams, who was replaced by the championship-winning coach, Frank Vogel.

The emotional and commendable comeback attempt from a 3-0 deficit in the Conference Finals quickly faded into the background as the Heat dashed the Celtics’ hopes of a fairy tale ending to their disappointing season.

It is undeniable that the Celtics had high aspirations, especially after their loss in the Finals the previous year. However, their dreams of a championship were shattered by the Miami Heat, who swept them aside in Game 7 (84-103), leaving the Celtics’ offense in shambles.

An early injury may have affected Jason Tatum’s performance, despite his impressive 51-point game in the seventh game against the Sixers, which was the best individual performance in Game 7 history. However, it was also concerning that Jaylen Brown failed to step up when his teammate was injured, scoring only 19 points on 8/23 shooting and a disappointing 20% from beyond the arc.

This season served as a valuable lesson for the Celtics, who will need to regroup and try again next year. It also highlighted the challenges faced by rookie coach Joe Mazulla, as recent changes in the coaching staff have shown that he did not have the necessary support.

The Warriors faced a tough challenge in the Conference Semifinals against the Lakers. Considering this and the increased difficulty of defending a title in the current NBA, Golden State can be somewhat excused. However, higher expectations were still placed on the defending champions, especially after their inconsistent regular season.

While Stephen Curry and Draymond Green performed at a championship level, the absence of Klay Thompson and the disappointing performance of Jordan Poole as the leader of the second unit were major setbacks. Steve Kerr acknowledged the impact of Green’s altercation with Poole at the start of the season, but he still believes in the potential of this legendary group.

There are uncertainties surrounding the future of the team, including the contract extension of Stephen Curry and the player option of Draymond Green, who Kerr considers essential for another championship run. Additionally, the departure of Bob Myers as General Manager, with Mike Dunleavy Jr. taking over the position, adds another element of change to the organization.

The Clippers faced a challenging journey in the Conference Semifinals against the Lakers. Considering the current circumstances, it is even more difficult to defend a title in the NBA. Therefore, the Clippers can be somewhat excused. However, higher expectations were placed on the defending champions, who had already experienced an unstable regular season.

While Stephen Curry and Draymond Green performed at a championship level, the absence of Klay Thompson and the disappointing performance of Jordan Poole as the leader of the second unit were major setbacks. Steve Kerr acknowledged the impact of Green’s altercation with Poole at the start of the season, but he still believes in the potential of this legendary group.

There are uncertainties surrounding the future of the team, including the contract extension of Stephen Curry and the player option of Draymond Green, who Kerr considers essential for another championship run. Additionally, the departure of Bob Myers as General Manager, with Mike Dunleavy Jr. taking over the position, adds another element of change to the organization.

Los Angeles Clippers: A Season of Injuries and Disappointments

The Los Angeles Clippers’ season was once again overshadowed by injuries to their star players, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Despite the addition of Russell Westbrook, their performance in the playoffs was lackluster as they were eliminated in the first round by the Suns with a 4-1 defeat.

This recurring pattern of underperformance has raised questions within the franchise about the need for a change in direction. The presence of two highly paid superstars, Leonard and George, who will earn a combined $45 million next season, has put a strain on the team’s salary cap.

While there have been speculations about Leonard considering retirement, the Clippers are determined to give it another shot next year. They have expressed their confidence in Westbrook, who is also looking to renew his contract for another year.

Memphis Grizzlies: Youth and Bad Luck

Too many distractions and step back in the process

The Memphis Grizzlies, led by a talented young core including Santi Aldama, had a promising season. However, their playoff journey was cut short when they faced the Lakers in the first round. While some may attribute it to bad luck, youth and unfortunate circumstances cannot be used as excuses.

With a year of experience under their belt and a strong regular season performance, the Grizzlies were expected to at least reach the Conference Semifinals. However, they faltered due to a lack of depth in their lineup, particularly in the absence of Steven Adams. Additionally, the ongoing feud between Dillon Brooks and LeBron James further impacted their performance.

The team’s future is now uncertain, especially with Ja Morant facing a suspension and missing the first 25 games of the regular season. The Grizzlies will need to address these issues and make necessary adjustments to regain their momentum.

The Cavaliers and the Rest: Mixed Results

A bit of everything

Among the other teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers experienced a bittersweet season. They made it to the playoffs for the first time in five years, but their performance in the first round against the Knicks was disappointing. Donovan Mitchell struggled, and Ricky Rubio had limited involvement.

Similar expectations were set for the Bulls, Raptors, Timberwolves, and the Pelicans with Willy Hernangomez. However, injuries to Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado hindered their chances of making it to the playoffs.

The biggest disappointment came from the Blazers, who gave up towards the end of the season, sidelining Damien Lillard. This wasted a remarkable year for their star player in the NBA.

Even the struggling teams like the Rockets, Hornets, and Pistons, who are in the process of rebuilding, faced uncertainties. The Spurs, despite their past success, finished last in the Western Conference. However, the potential of Victor Wembanyama brings hope for their future.