By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Several Western Visayas-based sports personalities are favoring Denver Nuggets over Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, which will begin today (Philippine time) at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

A majority of coaches and sports personalities from the region interviewed by Watchmen Daily Journal yesterday, will see the Nuggets hoisting their first-ever NBA championship trophy at the expense of the Heat.

Joseph Guion, Emilio Aguinado College Generals assistant coach, said the 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. 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,” he said. (Nuggets in 5)

Rodolfo Go Villaruz, Gametime Sports founder, said 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,” Villaruz said.

“If the 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 the emergence of Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson,” he said.

“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,” he added. (Nuggets in 5)

Meanwhile, Jophil Cercado, University of San Agustin men’s basketball head coach, said 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,” he said. (Nuggets in 5)

For retired basketball coach Dexter Dy, Denver has the edge in the series since the Jokic-Murray two-man game is very difficult to defend 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 makes some adjustments, they will have no answer to Nikola Jokic’s versatility as a player,” he said. (Nuggets in 6)

On the other hand, Porsche Bernil of Tigbauan Ninjas said 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 shooting,” he said. (Nuggets in 6)

Prandy Wong, Dingle National High School women’s basketball coach, said Miami Heat’s frontline is too undersized to defend Nikola Jokic.

“No one from the Heat’s side can stop Jokic in the painted area. If Miami attempts to double-team Jokic, Denver’s shooter will be wide open. Denver will also have a hard time stopping Miami’s Jimmy Butler,” he said. (Nuggets in 6)

Ray Cabarles, Iloilo province sports development officer, said Denver has the height advantage in all positions.

“In basketball, height is might. The team who controls the board wins the series and the Nuggets are 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,” Cabarles said.

“Although Miami proved in the playoffs by knocking down bigger teams, the Nuggets have different pedigrees of players. The only way Miami could win the series is if they consistently continue knocking down shots from the arc. And that’s quite impossible,” he added. (Nuggets in 6)

For Jeffrey Abool, Hercor College Junior Jaguars head coach, Denver has the advantage since they are well-rested and Miami has just finished their series.

“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,” he said. (Nuggets in 6)

Moreover, Francis Barcellano, former TNT Tropang Giga player, said 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, said the 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,” Conlu said. (Nuggets in 6)

Yong Despi, former Bacolod Tay Tung High School head coach, said both teams are underrated.

“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,” he said. (Nuggets in 7)

Team Miami

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, said Denver Nuggets were hungry to win their 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,” he said. (Heat in 5)

“With a healthy lineup and championship experience. I see the Miami Heat winning over the Denver Nuggets in this series,” Bayani Ladrido, Chairman’s Cup Operations head, said. (Heat in 5 or 6)

John Guanco, St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets head coach, said Miami has the edge because they reached the finals two seasons ago.

“Personally, I am a Miami Heat fan. Actually, a big fan of Pat Riley [former Heat coach]. They are a 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,” he said. (Heat in 6)

Alrey Lagman of Iloilo National High School said 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 playoff 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,” he said. (Heat in 6)

Furthermore, JJ Javelosa, Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife president, said 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 expectations,” he said.

“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,” he added. (Heat in 7)/ASC, WDJ