What a strange situation that of Christian Braun. Little reminder of the facts: holder this season, the rear was finally put on the bench by Michael Malone. For what ? Because Aron Gordon was back from injury and wanted to keep Russell Westbrook on the prosecution, for his association with Nikola Jokic.
Except that, two matches after this decision, the 2017 MVP is injured and the Nugget Coach then stimulates the rear in the major five. His relegation will therefore have lasted two meetings, for his greatest pleasure because, he does not hide, he wants to hold.
“I'm not going to say that I don't care. I care about it. I want this position in the major five ”,, he assures. “I fight for that, on a daily basis. But that doesn't change my approach. »»
Having recovered his place while his teammate is at the infirmary, the NBA 2023 champion benefited from it: 19.9 points at 59% success in the shoot, 8.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 average interception on these seven games. Above all, Denver won the seven parts.
Replacement or holder: he doesn't care but prefers the second option …
Therefore, the question rests: when the former Thunder is back, will he hold or Christian Braun, with his performances and the victories of the Nuggets, definitively convinced his coach?
“It is not for me to decide, it is the coach's decision and I will trust him every evening, no matter his choice. I don't know. And it doesn't matter to be a holder or replacement ”, Announces the back of Denver, nevertheless contradicting a little. “If I am a replacement, then it's for the team and it's the same if I hold. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter. It is his decision. My job is to play basketball on a daily basketball. »»
Michael Malone can also congratulate himself since this moment when his player was replacement did not shake his confidence. The two matches on the bench, it was good, then, the seven titular matches, as we said, it was excellent.
“If I leave the bench or if I start, I approach things the same way. I will not change the player I am, nor force anything. I will continue to be the same, every day, every match, regardless of my situation. Nevertheless, I would lie if I said it did not count “he concludes, still not succeeding in deciding between the indifference he speaks and his strong desire to be a holder, which he cannot hide.
| Christian Braun | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | Barter | 76 | 16 | 49.5 | 35.4 | 62.5 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 4.7 |
| 2023-24 | Barter | 82 | 20 | 46.0 | 38.4 | 69.4 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 7.3 |
| 2024-25 | Barter | 54 | 33 | 57.8 | 37.3 | 82.8 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 15.0 |
| Total | 212 | 22 | 51.6 | 37.3 | 73.9 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 8.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
