The NBA regular season is now over, and the championship standings for both Conferences are official. The Denver Nuggets finished tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder and were seeded second in the Western Conference, despite leading the conference for the most of the second half.

Still, the Thunder have the tiebreaker and are the number one seed. That being said, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray feels that he and MVP favorite Nikola Jokić together form the strongest one-two combo in the NBA.

“I think we’re the best duo. I think they’re in a bigger market and people have more interest in LeBron and AD in LA, or what Dame and Giannis could be, or what Luka and Kyrie could do. If we’re talking about the best duos in getting the job done and how they play for each other and with each other, I think me and Jokic are undoubtedly number one.” —Jamal Murray

Denver’s Championship Pedigree

The Nuggets hope to repeat as their previous year’s Finals winners.

The Nuggets certainly have a championship history, largely attributed to Jokić and Murray together. Jokic is without a doubt the best player on the Nuggets, but Murray gives the Serbian sensation a reliable first alternative. Murray was all over Jokić and his MVP chances.

“I just don’t think anybody has a strong enough argument to beat Nikola [in MVP], as we’re the best team in the league with the No. 1 seed in the West (tied) in the toughest conference. His numbers are getting better every year, so you can’t say it’s a stats thing that he’s not playing up to par with his first MVP. I don’t think there’s a portfolio or resume that’s going to match Nikola’s.” —Jamal Murray

During this season, Jokić shot 35.9 percent from three-point range and 58.3 percent from the field, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game.

Murray shot 48.1 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from three-point range, averaging 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.

A Deserving Pair Among the Best in the NBA

Murray maintained that Jokić and him are an underappreciated pair.

Murray contended that although other NBA duos receive more attention because of the extensive marketing that stars receive, he thinks the Denver tandem of him and Jokić is more effective. They have a good chance of maintaining that offensive when the playoffs get around.

“I’ve always wanted to show what I can do and be the best in the game. Obviously, everything goes up. Your minutes and usage go up. I like to play with energy and will my team as much as I can to a win. In the playoffs, I’d think you’d want to see the best players play against each other and go tit for tat. I try to prove that I’m better than a lot of these other guys in the league as I’m doing that. Winning a championship definitely helps.” —Jamal Murray

The Nuggets will play the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans game in the first round of the playoffs, giving them the opportunity to play against one of the duos that Murray named. Murray and Jokić will immediately go on a date with LeBron James and Anthony Davis if the Lakers win.