After receiving a sparkling championship ring and a group embrace from his old Denver colleagues, suspended Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant left the arena right away.
Rules are rules, after all.
Since this was the Heat’s only trip to Denver this season, the NBA granted Bryant permission to arrive before to the game. On game evenings, suspended players are normally not permitted to attend the arena.
Bryant was present when the Nuggets defeated the Heat in five games to win the franchise’s first NBA championship in June of last year. The team pulled out the red carpet for him.
Next to Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, Bryant watched a video tribute on the big screen. After that, guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gave Bryant a hug and gave him his shiny ring. At half-court, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets surrounded Bryant.
As Bryant placed the ring on his hand, he relished the moment. With appreciative cheers from the audience, he tapped his heart.
The ceremony that took place before to the game was described by Nuggets coach Michael Malone as “just a way of thanking him for all his contributions.” “It’s great to see Thomas again; it’s been a while since we won everything last June.”
Bryant left the premises immediately following the ring ceremony. He was serving out the final three games of a suspension for getting into a fight.
