NBA finals: Aussie Jack White on Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Denver Nuggets’ culture

It’s moments before an NBA Finals match in the Denver Nuggets’ locker room and Jamal Murray is “locked in”. One of his teammates reveals the secrets behind Murray’s rise to stardom.

Denver Nuggets.

In a multimillion-dollar NBA world dominated by big egos, smack talk and bright lights, the Denver Nuggets are an anomaly.

The Nuggets may be loaded with stars, including the NBA’s best player in Serbian sensation Nikola Jokic, but the team prefers to excel in silence.

The Denver players have swapped social media and self-admiration for meditation and team bonding in a bid to win the franchise’s first title.

GAME 3 RESULT: Denver 109 def Miami 94 (Denver leads 2-1)

Australian forward Jack White has received a close-up look at how the dogged Nuggets have developed successful daily habits to defy the doubters and reach the finals.

Aussie Jack White has received a close-up look at what makes the Denver Nuggets tick this season. Photo: Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images.

White says Denver’s team-first mantra is the closest culture to the bronzed Boomers that he has experienced in his professional hoops career.

“Oh yeah – 100 per cent – at the Nuggets it’s the camaraderie and the selflessness that stands out,” said White, who played 17 regular season games off the bench for the Nuggets.

“There are plenty of guys in the team who have had long NBA careers and aren’t in our rotation but could very well contribute on a championship team.

“These guys are putting their egos aside and being great teammates, like DeAndre Jordan, Reggie Jackson and Ish Smith.

“They are staying ready, of course, because they could be called upon at any time, but they are here for the ride.

“It’s all about what works for the team and the guys couldn’t care less as long as we keep getting the wins.”

JOKER THE CULTURE KING:

White says Jokic – Denver’s big man anchor and best player – sets the precedent for the club’s culture.

The Nuggets marquee is a generational talent taking home a whopping $71,98404 million a season, but he isn’t narcissistic or arrogant.

And while Jokic drives a flash Rolls-Royce, he regularly turns up to Denver training donning shorts, a T-shirt and slides.

“He is special, but he doesn’t think he is special,” White said.

“The biggest problem we have is that he is too unselfish. He doesn’t have social media – nothing is about him and that trickles down through the organisation.

“That is a big part of what establishes a culture.

“Like when Jokic was giving his acceptance speech for the Western Conference Finals MVP, and he is shouting out our equipment guys by name.

“That (mindset) just goes down the totem pole of the whole organisation. I’d like to think everyone feels their value within the group.

“I think that is one of the more special things that the Nuggets have been able to establish and it’s enjoyable environment to be in.

“It’s different and I’m trying not to take it for granted.”

NIKOLA JOKIC IS INSANE 🤯

A late ridiculous three-pointer has Denver in the driver's seat down the stretch of Game 4.

🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/BIXwGvfG5a

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 23, 2023

White is also taking time to relish watching Jokic play in the flesh.

NBA beat writers recently described the Nuggets big man as a “strange combination of Hakeem Olajuwon, Larry Bird, and Steve Nash”.

Jokic possesses the centre strength like Olajuwon, the freakish skills of a forward like Bird and the playmaking ability of a guard like Nash.

He is the complete package and a player who makes the difficult look effortless.

This was on show in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers when he nailed a three over the top of fellow big Anthony Davis.

Jokic put the ball behind his head Larry Bird style and shot it 50 feet in the air and it went in.

Swish. Nothing but net.

Nikola Jokic is a humble star.

White was watching on from the sidelines as Jokic produced another masterclass moment, but he wasn’t surprised.

“Because it’s just what he does,” he said.

“I’ve seen my fair share of crazy things in games, but he does exactly the same things in practice.

“I watched a slow mo of his three over Davis and even how he shoots the ball with his release point, firstly how many people can get that shot off let alone make it in a Western Conference Finals game.

“But it comes back to his preparation because he does it every day.

“He is only 28 and he has already won two MVPs and probably should have won another one this season.

“You just have to appreciate what he does. He is pure talent and a wizard of the game, but he isn’t trying to stat pad or make things about him.

“He is just that good and it’s bloody unreal.”

MURRAY’S MENTAL MOTIVATION:

It’s almost game-time and the Denver dressing room is empty, except for one player.

Sitting in the corner in silence is Nuggets guard Jamal Murray.

Since suffering a torn ACL, which sidelined him for the entire 2021-2022 season, Murray has worked overtime on his mentality.

A gruelling rehab tested his limits, but a focus on his mind has helped him find inner strength to lead Denver to the Western Conference’s No.1 seed this season.

Jamal Murray has been a standout all season.

White has watched Murray closely – and says it’s no coincidence that he is averaging 27.7 points, 6.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 15 games in the 2023 playoffs.

“Jamal is in the lockeroom meditating before every game,” he said.

“He won’t be talking, and you can just tell how focused he is by just looking at his face.

“It’s like he just flicked a switch.

“Especially now that I’m not suiting up, sometimes he’ll hang back for a minute of two just on his own and he is zoned and just getting ready for it.

“This time of the year there is a lot of noise going on. At the start of the Western Conference series, he was a bit under the weather, battling with some external things like niggling injuries and other stuff.

“But the thing that stands out about Jamal is his mental preparation.

“He locks in and his ability to do that is pretty crazy.

“He’ll be sore, but once the lights come on, it’s game time and there is nothing that can stop him.

“He is built for the big stage.”

What are we naming Joker's shot, Nuggets Nation 🤔 pic.twitter.com/QDNmA9oJQK

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 27, 2023

This dedicated Denver side is also primed for success.

The Nuggets are just four wins away from a maiden NBA championship.

It won’t be easy to defeat a determined and well coached Heat side, but White believes Denver is perfectly placed.

“It’s awesome to see it (our culture) take steps in the right direction and seeing these things manifest into how guys act and carry themselves within the group to try and help us win,” said White, who has been named in Australia’s 18-man squad for the World Cup this August and September.

“It’s not a coincidence how we’re going. It’s not like we get to the playoffs, and it just happens.

“Everything we’ve done all season has been pretty homogeneous.”

Originally published as NBA finals: Aussie Jack White on Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Denver Nuggets’ culture