![]() In the sequences below, for example, there are about 20 things he just “does right” as these plays unfold, from consistently feeding the ball to Jokic in the post, to getting straight to his (correct) spots on the floor, to denying the ball to his defensive assignment at the perimeter, to monitoring the passing lanes for the steal, to selflessly passing up worse shots to create better ones for his teammates, and much more, all in the span of about two minutes of playing time. In addition to the value of Braun hitting his shots, something which will only help to solidify his place in Denver’s rotation, he has perhaps just as importantly very quickly begun earning the trust of back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic, which is critically essential for any player he shares the court with, as well as Malone and seasoned veterans like Jeff Green.Ī huge part of gaining that trust from his teammates and coaches is just how smart, fundamentally sound, and within-the-flow Braun has proven to play nearly from moment one. “And tonight, he stepped in with great confidence and that was fun to watch,” Malone added. It’s the last one that’s a prerequisite to getting on the floor in the postseason.Malone expanded on how he had urged Braun to keep shooting: “When he came out, I said, ‘listen, make or miss, you have to take that shot because it's a good shot and you work your ass off every day.’” He’s shown the ability to slash to the hoop and elevate, space the floor and knock down a 3, and defend like his hair is on fire. If that was his sole task, he’s almost overqualified.īraun’s impact on that lineup is profound. He’s said on numerous occasions how his primary responsibility is just to give effort. In an exclusive interview with Fastbreak on FanNation, Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun talked about his journey from being a national champion at Kansas to being a first-round pick in. The Nuggets have made things simple for Braun. It’s a good thing because beyond Braun, the Nuggets don’t have any true wings on the roster. Braun talked about the stage, the attention to detail, the heightened stakes. It’s certainly not always the case with rookies. I think that’s when I play my best.”Īs much as that’s the expectation for players, that’s not always the case. Come in and compete at the highest level. 1 seed right now, we’re looking to lock that up, and that’s my goal. With the help of former Jayhawk Christian Braun, the Denver Nuggets took home the NBA Finals crown with a 94-89 win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the series on Monday night as Braun played a. When Braun played all 40 minutes of last season’s NCAA championship game, yielding a Kansas title, it validated the idea that he relished big games.Īsked late Thursday night whether he’d thought about playing in the postseason, Braun showed an eagerness to compete. It’s one of the reasons Booth bet on him in the first place. Never, either in front of the media or on the court, has he looked rattled. He assesses their shortcomings from a pragmatic viewpoint. Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) shoots against the Miami Heat during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Sunday, June 4, 2023, in Denver. He talks about the game like he’s seasoned. “And y’all are starting to see that.”īraun, even though he’s only 21, carries himself with the assured confidence of a veteran. After he scored 11 points in the loss, including three slashing, mammoth dunks, teammate Bruce Brown raved about him. That’s a significant win for a GM making his first-ever draft pick.īut Braun isn’t a normal rookie. 21 pick in last year’s draft, Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth unearthed a prospect who’s going to play rotational minutes on a team with title aspirations. At first glance on the basketball court, there may not seem to be a whole lot in common between Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun, a defensive wing known for his toughness, athleticism. It was one instance (albeit of an ever-growing reel) from Thursday’s loss to New Orleans that underscored why Braun is going to play a vital role once the Nuggets get into the postseason. On more and more frequent occasions, Denver’s bench has exited the court to ovations. ![]() Since becoming a fixture of the Nuggets’ second unit several weeks ago, Braun’s added defensive versatility, athleticism, and energy. Nuggets fans showered the rookie in applause at the stop. Sensing the moment, and the supposed mismatch, the crowd started buzzing. Seven dribbles later, the Nuggets’ rookie forced the 6-foot-8 flamethrower into a contested fadeaway that rimmed out. He played college basketball at the University of Kansas and was a starter on the team that won the 2022 NCAA Championship. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menuīrandon Ingram tried to go baseline. Christian Nicholas Braun (pronounced born April 17, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). ![]()
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