Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Billy Thompson, Henry Bibby and… soon Christian Brown ? The latter, if he were to win the title with the Nuggets in the days to come, would become only the fifth player in history to achieve the double NCAA title – NBA title over two consecutive seasons.
Last season, the 21st choice of the 2022 Draft won the university title with Kansas. ” I went from Kansas, where I was winning a lot, with the title of my last year, to the one here which, on the one hand, suited me perfectly and, on the other hand, allowed me to win right away. I can’t imagine a better place », Appreciates the rookie who had 14 points and 6.5 rebounds in his third and final NCAA year.
His statistical performance and his role are much less important in Denver. But despite his young age and the stakes linked to the playoffs, the 22-year-old managed to keep a place in Mike Malone’s rotation, especially during the first two rounds against Wolves, then the Suns.
A winning culture already in place
” With my resume, they know I’m not here to overdo it or play outside of my role. They allow me to be myself, I’ve said that all year. The coach allowed me to play my game. […] I don’t have to try to do something I can’t do, I thrive in the role I’ve been given. […] When I arrived this team was super talented, probably the most talented in the NBA “, he judges.
The experience of this NCAA title, and the series of knockout matches, probably plays in his favor to recover minutes, while he quickly caught the eye of Mike Malone.
” In the NCAA Tournament, it’s a single game. So there is a lot of pressure on this game, whereas here there are a lot of ups and downs. Here, we made series by saying that we had a good lead by leading 2-0, then we lost twice away (note: against the Suns). It’s completely different. But the pressure is the same, the atmosphere is the same, the environment is nice “, enumerates Christian Braun.
The recipe for its success? Having good teammates and good coaches, with Bill Self and Mike Malone.
“ Every system I played in, AAU or NBA, had a winning culture and a team that demanded certain things from you. So I’m not going to say that it was me who arrived and changed anything. It was I who adapted to what was already in place before my arrival. […] It’s no secret that it’s by joining a culture and being able to adapt that you get game time. »
| Christian Brown | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 |
| Total | 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 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
