This is a profile that the Nuggets lacked. A player specialized in defensive tasks, able to defend in three or four different positions, and to be opportunistic in attack. This is the profile of Bruce Brownwho made a name for himself at the Nets as a Swiss army knife, and when he found himself on the market, Mike Malone was quick to talk to his leaders about it.
” When I saw Bruce was still available, I said, ‘Hey, he’s the guy for us’ says the coach. Mike Malone does not regret this choice, and on Monday, Bruce Brown seduced him by smothering Devin Booker, limited to 5/17 on shots.
” His defense on Booker was incredible » recognizes the coach. ” We can score on him, but he won’t back down. »
Against Devin Booker, and even if it was only a preseason match, the duel was physical. The two did not hesitate to intimidate each other. “On the first push, I was like, ‘OK, you got me good’. On the second, I was like, ‘OK, I see what you’re trying to do’. On the third, I do not move. I knew he would be really aggressive. I have been facing it for five years, and I knew what I was going to bring”.
The kind of player who finishes matches
In a formation usually criticized for its lack of enthusiasm in defense, Bruce Brown knows that he will have a big role to play. Like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who also arrived this summer, he will relieve attackers Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic.
” The guy is a pro. A pro who has been there for five years but looks like he has ten years of experience » continues Mike Malone. ” He knows exactly what type of player he is. He doesn’t work on stuff that isn’t part of his gear. I feel like Bruce Brown is going to finish a lot of important games for us. »
Happy to be able to play with Nikola Jokic to whom he promises the most beautiful screens, Bruce Brown knows that he and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are there to be the 4th or 5th options in attack.
“Everyone knows their role. No one is going to try to do too much. We know the main guys who are going to have the ball in their hands. We’re just doing what we’re supposed to do”announced Bruce Brown a few days before the start of the training camp.
| Bruce Brown, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | TED | 74 | 20 | 39.8 | 25.8 | 75.0 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 4.3 |
| 2019-20 | TED | 58 | 28 | 44.3 | 34.4 | 73.9 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 8.9 |
| 2020-21 | BRK | 65 | 22 | 55.6 | 28.8 | 73.5 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 8.8 |
| 2021-22 | BRK | 72 | 25 | 50.6 | 40.4 | 75.8 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 9.0 |
| Total | 269 | 24 | 48.2 | 32.7 | 74.5 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 7.6 | |
