![]() ![]() San Francisco Dons 1956, Boston Celtics 1957 Here's a look at those four players and their resumes: Only four other players have won an NCAA and NBA title in back-to-back years, a feat Braun achieved after winning the 2022 NCAA tournament with the Kansas Jayhawks. With the win, Braun, joined an exclusive club. The rookie gained plaudits for his energetic play off the bench, including a 15-point outburst to help the Nuggets take home Game 4 on the road. Braun's role increased as the Finals went on - his 24 minutes logged in Denver's decisive Game 5 win were the most he played in any postseason game. One of the breakout stars of this season's NBA Finals has been Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun. ![]() Nuggets' Christian Braun joins short list of consecutive NCAA and NBA title winnersĭenver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Kansas Jayhawks “This was one of those times that I do think winning - these guys would’ve gotten drafted regardless - but winning put them in a situation to go much higher maybe than what they would’ve.You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser “If you’re one of the leading scorers on a team that wins a national championship, you’re gonna get drafted,” Self said. Perhaps more than anything, they appreciated that Braun’s efforts yielded exactly what the Nuggets have their hearts set on this season: a championship. His 3-point stroke, already somewhat proficient, has potential as well. They valued his size and tenacity, along with his effort and competitiveness. He might’ve been a better fit for them, at No. “You stop and think about, I don’t know if CB could play with a better big man than that dude because he’s such a good cutter and mover without the ball, and (Jokic is) such a great passer.”Įven if Braun doesn’t have an elite NBA skill, the Nuggets valued the total package. “CB playing with Jokic, what a good cutter CB is,” Self said. Kiszla: How did Michael Malone coach the Nuggets to a championship? “It sure ain’t about drawing up (bleeping) plays.”Īs Booth said late Thursday night, Braun does “stuff.” ![]() In an offense powered by Nikola Jokic and two other stalwarts in Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets needed an impact player who doesn’t need shots to justify his time on the court. They valued how Braun had a knack for impacting games even if he wasn’t scoring. They appreciated his willingness to compete on defense and dive for loose balls. ![]() The Nuggets’ believed in his intangibles - his passion and confidence. To the Nuggets’ good fortune, nothing materialized.īooth described Denver’s draft room as “calm.” Scott Howard, the team’s Director of Player Personnel, had a close relationship with Self, giving the Nuggets confidence that their intelligence on Braun was thorough and accurate. Self said he received calls in the days leading up to the draft from teams interested in trading into the teens for Braun. 19, would see the same traits the Nuggets had seen in him. There was also a concern new Timberwolves executive Tim Connelly, picking at No. Self said he thought there was a chance Braun could’ve gone at 18, ironically to current Bulls executive (and former Nuggets GM) Arturas Karnisovas. Booth knew they needed to add size on the perimeter, and in Braun, a junior, they found a capable two-way player with a winning pedigree and sharp edge.įor Braun believers, his trash-talking during the national championship likely underscored his competitive fire. In that vein, Braun, a 6-foot-7 jack-of-all-trades, was exactly the sort of player for the Nuggets to add. That was just Braun doing whatever he could to help the Jayhawks in pursuit of their eventual national championship. The fact that he had played both small forward and power forward at Kansas had skewed scouts’ perspective. After all, Braun had guard skills crunched into a long body, which was the result of a late growth spurt. He realized that rather than evaluating Braun as a true, two-way wing - the apple of every NBA team’s eye - he should view him as a shooting guard. When the Nuggets front office traveled to Chicago for the NBA draft combine, something clicked for Booth. “I comment to myself, ‘Man, that was a nice play, but what is he?’” Booth said after assuaging that question and selecting Braun with the No. But for all of the hustle and feisty competitiveness Braun showed, the question that lingered with Booth was one of fit. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menuįor years, every time Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth scouted future first-round pick Christian Braun, he was always left with a nagging, unsettling question.īraun’s playing style, a rare firebrand of basketball, made an impression. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |