“I hope someone took a photo of Christian Braun throwing himself on the floor for that loose ball, before he didn't take a timeout. It takes what it takes: these are actions that allow you to win. » If the action caused a lot of ink to flow on the side of the Warriors (like against Houston, definitely…), Michael Malone prefers to highlight the attitude of his rear.
With the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope last summer, and in his third season, Christian Braun finds himself in the major five for the first time in his short career. With always the same objective: to be a player who allows his team to win matches.
“I hope so.”, he confirms when we ask him if he sees himself that way. “My coaches, when I was young, did a good job. I always played in teams that won a lot. I think it shaped me. »
“I am happy to be in this situation where I can contribute, learn and earn at the same time”
With his 15.4 points and 5 rebounds on average, more good percentages (57% shooting success, 43% on 3-pts) and a very effective duo with Nikola Jokic, when the two play together, the former NCAA champion succeeds his season and has therefore reached this milestone. An impact player when he came off the bench, notably during the title victory in 2023, he maintains this sharp aspect in the major five and with more playing time.
“I’m still learning. I am learning to take care of my body. It's another process, like during my first season where I learned to contribute, to make statistics. This season is clearly new for me,” he assures. “I have to understand that I haven't done anything for my place yet, I have to continue to deserve it. I have to prove it to myself and gain the trust of my teammates and my coaches. I'm happy to be in this situation where I can contribute, learn and earn at the same time. »
Who did he learn from? “From every player I played with. Everyone helped me,” thus responds Christian Braun. “I watched Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown. We take a little of each. I've tried to do that since I've been in the league. Whether it’s Ish Smith, DeAndre Jordan, Jeff Green. I watch each player's routines and try to take a little piece of it and do it my way. »
He now hopes that his good individual performances will be synonymous with good collective performances because, for the moment, the Nuggets are slipping.
“Coach Bill Self (his college coach) taught me that when you win, the pie is big enough for everyone. My individual success is always greater when the team wins matches”he concludes.
| Christian Braun | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 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 | DEN | 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 | DEN | 22 | 35 | 57.0 | 43.1 | 77.6 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 15.4 |
| Total | 180 | 20 | 49.4 | 38.4 | 70.1 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 7.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
