Braun: Jokic Makes Everything ‘Really Easy’ for Nuggets

Braun: Jokic Makes Everything ‘Really Easy’ for Nuggets

Christian Braun is shedding light on the seemingly effortless brilliance of Nikola Jokic, revealing how the Serbian superstar elevates his teammates and makes the Denver Nuggets’ offense hum. Braun, entering his third year with the Nuggets, has found his niche alongside the two-time MVP, and he credits much of his success to understanding Jokic’s game and adapting his own play to complement it.

Finding the Right Fit Alongside a Superstar

Braun’s journey to becoming a key contributor for the Nuggets wasn’t immediate. “First year not as much minutes with them,” he explained. “And then as I play with him more, I was literally just cutting and trying to find open space and literally just trying to help him get open.” This selfless approach became his mantra. “If I can screen him, if I can screen him well, if I could cut on the rim, like whatever it was, just try to try to try to help him out. That was like my mindset going. It’s like how how can I help him?”

Learning from the Best

The turning point for Braun involved keen observation and a strategic shift. “Honestly like watching Bruce (Brown) championship week, watching how Bruce played off of him, watching how KCP defended and kind of played off of him and then literally just understand if I can just give him the ball. If I can bring the ball to the court, I can give it to him. Like he makes good things happen. So I mean, he makes everything really easy.” This realization that his primary role was to facilitate Jokic’s dominance, rather than force his own opportunities, was a game-changer.

The Light Bulb Moment

When asked about the exact moment the light bulb flickered on, Braun pointed to the summer leading into his third year. “I think like I said, I watched KCP and Bruce for a couple years and then that summer kind of knew the situation I was walking into.” The departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opened a significant door for Braun. “Going into my third year,” he stated, “I understood that KCP likely, you know, wasn’t going to be back and that was going to be my chance to go be a starter.”

Preparation and Coaching Guidance

With this opportunity on the horizon, Braun dedicated himself to preparation. He worked closely with assistant coach Oie. “Oie’s all constantly giving me, you know, do this, this is what he wants you to do, this is how he wants you to play.” Developing a rapport with Jokic off the court also proved invaluable. “And then developing a relationship with him off the court obviously helps too. You know, you get to talk to him more and whatnot.”

Embracing the Role

Knowing he would have a chance to start and play significant minutes alongside Jokic, Braun understood the necessity of being ready. “So, uh, knowing that I was going to be playing with him, I had a chance to start and, you know, play a lot of minutes with a guy like that, like I just knew I needed to be ready.” He feels he met that challenge. “And, uh, I think I did a good job that summer preparing myself and just putting myself in the right positions. And like I said, he kind of just puts in your hand obviously, you know, at this point.”

Jokic’s Impact

Braun’s comments underscore the profound impact Jokic has on the Nuggets’ system. The Serbian center’s unparalleled court vision and passing ability allow teammates to thrive by simply being in the right place at the right time. Braun’s evolution exemplifies this, as he has learned to leverage Jokic’s gravity and playmaking to his own advantage, becoming a more effective player in the process. This synergy is a cornerstone of the Nuggets’ continued success and their championship aspirations.

Source: Christian Braun talks about HOW EASY NIKOLA JOKIC makes everything #nba #nuggets (YouTube)