




<p>The moment we’ve been waiting for is finally here. The stage is set for the <strong>2023 NBA Finals</strong>, with the <strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/denver-nuggets">Denver Nuggets</a></strong> and the <strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a></strong> ready to battle it out for the championship. Apart from the coveted <strong>Larry O’Brien Trophy</strong>, the other award at stake will be the <strong>Bill Russell <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/nba/nba-finals-mvp-complete-list-of-all-most-valuable-players-by-year-20220614-0037.html">NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award</a></strong>.</p>



<p>For many, it will be a two-man battle. <strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nikola-jokic">Nikola Jokic</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jimmy-butler">Jimmy Butler</a></strong> are the faces of their respective teams, which is why many believe they will be crucial to determine the winner of the series.</p>



<p>It makes sense, since both of them have played at an incredible level in this playoffs so far. However, <strong>in sports there’s always room for surprise</strong>, so let’s take a look at other potential candidates to take the limelight in the NBA Finals.</p>



<h2>4. Bam Adebayo</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230601_BUS_5490_Bam-Adebayo-1-1024x572.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-5573" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Bam-Adebayo-1-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Bam-Adebayo-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Bam-Adebayo-1-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Bam-Adebayo-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Megan Briggs/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>While <em>Jimmy Buckets</em> often steals all the headlines, <strong>Bam Adebayo</strong> does the dirty work to let his teammates have the freedom to shine. The Heat big man plays a pivotal role in <strong>both ends of the floor</strong>, so he’s definitely a player to watch in this series.</p>



<p>Adebayo, who has been in Miami since the 2017 NBA Draft, is the co-star Butler needed to get here. Ahead of Game 1, the center averages 16.8 PPG, 9.2 RPG and 3.8 APG in this playoffs.</p>



<h2>3. Michael Porter Jr.</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230601_BUS_5490_Michael-Porter-Jr-1024x572.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-5574" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Michael-Porter-Jr-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Michael-Porter-Jr-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Michael-Porter-Jr-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Michael-Porter-Jr.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Harry How/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p><em>The Joker</em> is without any doubt the biggest reason why the Nuggets got here. However, this is still a team sport, and it would be unfair to overlook <strong>the job done by the rest of his teammates.</strong></p>



<p>Jokic’s supporting cast has also been crucial to help Denver reach the Finals. <strong>Michael Porter Jr.</strong>, for instance, averages 8.0 RBS in this postseason, only behind the Serbian star. He’s also the third Nuggets player with the highest PPG average (14.6).</p>



<h2>2. Caleb Martin</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230601_BUS_5490_Caleb-Martin-1024x572.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-5575" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Caleb-Martin-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Caleb-Martin-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Caleb-Martin-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Caleb-Martin.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Megan Briggs/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>If there’s a Heat player who has taken everyone by surprise this year, that’s <strong>Caleb Martin</strong>. His story is already well known around the league, he went undrafted in 2019 and was later cut by the Hornets before landing in Miami on a two-way contract.</p>



<p>Eventually, <strong>Erik Spoelstra proved to know best</strong>. Not only did Martin make the roster, but he also became a key contributor in the starting lineup. His performances in the playoffs have been outstanding so far, especially in the Conference Finals. </p>



<h2>1. Jamal Murray</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="572" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230601_BUS_5490_Jamal-Murray-1024x572.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=572" alt="" class="wp-image-5576" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Jamal-Murray-1024x572.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Jamal-Murray-300x168.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Jamal-Murray-768x429.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/06/Jamal-Murray.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure></div><figcaption>Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>



<p>As we’ve said before, to reduce the Nuggets’ chances to Jokic would be unfair to the rest of the team. In this journey, <em>The Joker</em> has had the perfect teammate by his side in the form of <strong>Jamal Murray</strong>.</p>



<p>Second in PPG (27.7) and APG (6.1) for the Nuggets (only behind the Serbian) in this playoffs, the guard has been playing <strong>with a chip on his shoulder</strong> lately. So we could definitely have a potential Finals MVP here.</p>


Nuggets or Heat? Jokic or Butler? NBA 2K predicts 2023 champion and Finals MVP winner

Michael Porter Jr.

Neither Jokic nor Butler: Dark horse candidates to win 2023 NBA Finals MVP