Dub Hub: Draymond Green believes the Nuggets are ‘ready to win a championship’

Rounding up all the Warriors and NBA news from around the web.

Good Morning Dub Nation,

Game 1 of the NBA Finals ended with the Denver Nuggets beating the Miami Heat, 104-93. Shortly before tipoff, Golden State Warriors player Draymond Green released the latest episode of his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, where he explained why he believes the Nuggets will become the next NBA champions.

Via the The Draymond Green Show:

“One key thing that Denver has done that’s made me say that Denver is ready to win a championship in this league: They have not f**ked around in any of their series,” Green stated emphatically. “When they have opportunities to close, they close. They’re getting it done. They’re ready to win a championship. They’re not messing around with these other teams. They’re ready to win a championship. I got the Nuggets in five.”

To Green’s point, the Nuggets have looked like the best team, not just in the postseason, but all year long as evidenced by their number-one seed. They’ve made light work out of every opponent they’ve faced so far, closing out the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, the Phoenix Suns in six games, and the Los Angeles Lakers in a dominant 4-0 sweep.

In Game 1, Denver confirmed Green’s analysis as they looked unstoppable at times, especially on the offensive end. The duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 53 points – more than half of the team’s total — with the former notching a 27 point, 14 assist, and 10 rebound triple-double.

Having said all that, Green’s predictions have been off thus far as he had the Lakers and the Boston Celtics advancing in the previous round. Because it is still very early in the series, it remains to be seen just how well this Finals prediction will age for him.

Here are the rest of today’s stories:

In case you missed it from Golden State of Mind:

• The contract status of every Warriors player
• Monty Williams signs massive head coaching deal, will Steve Kerr be next?
• How did the Warriors do against the Nuggets and Heat this year?
• I Knew This Warriors Season Was In Trouble When…: Ep. 4
• I Knew This Warriors Season Was In Trouble When…: Ep. 3

Other Warriors News:

• NBA Finals: Why Heat succeeded in area Warriors struggled this season (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Five moves that define Bob Myers’ 11-year tenure as Warriors GM (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Could Golden State Warriors make shock Kerr switch after Myers’ departure? (Fansided)
• Draymond Green’s 2023 NBA Finals prediction: Jokic & Nuggets or Butler & Heat? (Draymond Green Show)
• The Golden State Warriors Are Changing. Here’s Hoping the “Warriors Way” Endures (GQ)

NBA News:

• Nikola Jokic has triple-double, Jamal Murray scores 26 in Nuggets’ Game 1 win (ESPN)
• Ja Morant ruling coming after NBA Finals, Adam Silver says (ESPN)
• Jones: I was wrong about Nikola Jokić. He’s the best player in the world right now (The Athletic)
• NBA Rumors: Lakers Will Match Austin Reaves Contract Offers Up to $100M (Bleacher Report)
• Where Is the Pass Going? (New York Times)

A tweet to end the week:

The big Warriors’ news of the week was Bob Myers announcing that he was stepping down from his role as general manager of the team. He achieved legendary status during his time here and as Warriors fans, we wish him the best. Have a good weekend Dub Nation!