Thousands of supporters line the streets of Denver, Colorado to watch the National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Nuggets celebrate their first league title with a victory parade.
The Nuggets showed off the championship trophy on Thursday, three days after beating the Miami Heat and winning three of seven NBA Finals games in five games.
Their victory had been brewing for a long time. It took the team 47 seasons in the NBA to finally make Denver the home of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
With cigars lit and champagne and beer flowing, the players waved to supporters. The crowd cheered, one by one, as NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and teammate Jamal Murray rode the telescoping ladder of a fire truck.
“It’s just amazing. It’s unreal,” Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said. “I never thought about that.”
The crowd was stunned by Nuggets swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
“I’m overwhelmed. There are a lot of people here,” he said. “I’m so happy that everyone came to cheer us on. Look at the crowd. It’s crazy. I’m enjoying being part of history. I love it. Incredible fans.”
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said seeing all the fans screaming and their joy made a huge difference to the team’s achievement.
“It started hitting me,” Malone said. “Being with my closest friends, on both sides of the street along the parade route, that’s love, man. It’s support. It’s 47 years in the making. Unbelievable. Proud of this moment.”
Malone also emphasized how he feels the Nuggets have more titles to spare.
“Thank you Nuggets National Team. Thank you for your patience,” he said. “It’s been a great day to celebrate this championship. But we’re not done yet.”
