Heat or Nuggets? Local hoops fans make their picks

The Miami Heat vs. the Denver Nuggets. The Eastern Conference No. 8 seed vs. the West Conference No. 1 seed. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic vs. Jimmy “Freaking” Butler.

Just like how ESPN is predicting that the Nuggets will have an 88.7% chance of taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy, the majority of roundball fans on Saipan are picking Denver to scale the NBA mountaintop in 2023.
All I can say as a red-blooded Heat fan is, I’ll take that 11.
3% chance. It’s actually much better than the 3% chance so-called NBA pundits said of Miami beating the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Heck, Erik Spoelstra, Himmy Buckets, and the rest of the Heat have been underdogs since the start of the playoffs but have beaten the No. 1 seed Milawaukee Bucks in the first round via a gentleman’s sweep, the New York Knicks in the second round in six games, and then broke the Celtics’ hearts in seven games in the ECF. 

I’m riding with Miami until season’s end and fully expect them to take care of the Nuggets in six or seven games. Attitude vs. altitude!

Here is what how other local NBA fans think the best-of-seven NBA Finals will unravel: 

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You know, this one is a hard one for me because both teams have ex-UK Wildcat players on them. Ultimately, I think Denver will win in six games due to the potent punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Now if Herro, also a UK Wildcat alum, can  make it back for the Heat, and he wasn’t rusty, they would push it to seven games and then it’s anyone’s series. As far as who I’m rooting for?  I am rooting for Miami. Pat Riley, the president of the Heat, is also a UK alum and would love to see him get another championship. —Stephen Dame, Saipan Community Church senior pastor

Hard to bet against the Heat because they are one of the five teams that I follow ever since. But in this case; Nuggets in six games. MVP? Who else but Jokic if he doesn’t get hurt. I actually watched the Nuggets in Denver 2019 against the Sixers. So I started following them closely after that. Teams I follow closely at least in the last five or more years are—Celtics, Heat, Clippers, Nuggets, and Suns. Recently, the Mavericks, Rockets, and Grizzlies.
—Sen. Jude Hofschneider

I am a Heat fan, but I see the Nuggets taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy in six games. The Nugget’s are playing solidly in the playoffs, totally different from their games when they were eliminated early last year. I pick Nikola Jokic laughing his way to take the Finals MVP paired with the newest NBA dynamic duo with Jamal Murray. The Nuggets will win in six games because of Jokic and Murray and the big support of Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. They also have a very deep bench. It is only now when they swept the Lakers that they earned the respect of NBA/basketball fanatics. Even in the Western Conference Finals, Jokic was posting triple-doubles every game.
—Manny Sitchon, Triathlon Association of the CNMI president

It’s just my gut feeling that Denver will crush Miami in four games. First, they’re rested and fresh. Second, they have the Top 2 players of the three remaining superstar-caliber players.  Third, they’re confidence is on a different level after they defeated the Lakers in four games. Then everything is just equal, role players, 3-points shooting, and coaching. That’s my 10 cents.
—Darwin Gonzales, Win Pacific Corp.

Nuggets in five games because of team chemistry. Also because of the pick and roll of Nikola Jokic and Jamaal Murray then they have outside shooters that can stretch the defense. Jokic for sure will be the NBA Finals MVP.
— Jeff Garcia, Blue Haus

The Nuggets are very much ripe to finally win their very first NBA championship. I predict they will beat the Heat in five games. Nikola Jokic will win the NBA Finals MVP. I’m really a San Antonio Spurs fan, but in the NBA Finals I will root for the Nuggets.
— Jorge De Guzman, A’s Auto Air Conditioning

The Denver Nuggets in five games with Nikola Jokic winning the NBA Finals MVP.
—Michael White, former NMSA president

I always favor a good Cinderella story like No. 8 Miami Heat did against No. 2 Boston Celtics. However, I would go with the Denver Nuggets in five games. Nikola Jokić has my tip of the hat for NBA Finals MVP.
—Curtis Dancoe, Saipan Fishermen Association

I like both teams. But the Nuggets’ amazing ball rotation will be a nightmare for the Heat. The Nuggets will get the crown, 4-2. Nikola Jokic will easily be the Finals MVP with his triple-double dominance.
—Ferdie De La Torre, Saipan Tribune

While stats favor the Nuggets and they are favorites to win, I choose the Miami Heat for their grit and never-say-die attitude.  Miami in six. Jimmy Butler will win the NBA Finals MVP.
—Rufino Aguon, former CNMI men’s national basketball coach

I’m all about the Lakers but if I really have to choose, I’ll choose The Nuggets to finally win their first NBA championship. NBA Finals MVP will be Nikola Jokic.
— James Lee, Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation president

I got Denver in five and Nikola Jokic winning the NBA Finals MVP. I’ve been rooting for Jokic since I drafted him on my fantasy team back in 2015 and he hasn’t failed to deliver since then. Also, I think Denver has the deeper team compared to Miami.
—Marc Venus, Ernst & Young

The Denver Nuggets will win the NBA championship. They’re a complete all-around team and they’ve got the best player in the world right now in Nikola Jokic. It will be over in six games and I believe Jokic will get the NBA Finals MVP. I don’t think Miami has someone that can slow him down.
—Elias Rangamar, NMSA Hall of Fame inductee

The Miami Heat in six games. Jimmy Butler will win the NBA Finals MVP. I’m a fan of Jimmy Butler. It’s fun to watch him. You can feel his energy through the screen. No one expected them to make it to the NBA Finals. So far they’re proving everyone wrong. I want to see the underdogs take it.
—Aaron Pamintuan, personal trainer

Honestly, I wanted the LA Lakers to win. But I’m going with the healthier team and teamwork on and off the basketball court.
I’m going for the Denver Nuggets. 
The Nuggets and supposed-to-be regular season MVP Nikola Jokic are amazing and they understand their roles to make the team better, and with a healthier Jamal Murray, they are leading this team to their first-ever franchise championship. 
I know they (Nuggets) want to keep it to five games but the No. 8 seed of the Eastern Conference, Miami Heat, will not go down without a bulldog fight. 
Nuggets in six games and Jokic as NBA Finals MVP.
—Omar Ajoste, 670 Sonics Basketball coach

4-3 Denver Nuggets. Jamal Murray will be the NBA Finals MVP. Denver is No. 1 in their conference. Their offense and defense are also on point and they have great team chemistry.
— Ed  Pangelinan, DFEMS