6 ways the Denver Nuggets made NBA history last season
By Ben Grunert
![DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 15: Jamal Murray #27, Nikola Jokic #15 and Jeff Green #32 react on state during the Denver Nuggets victory parade and rally after winning the 2023 NBA Championship at Civic Center Park on June 15, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 15: Jamal Murray #27, Nikola Jokic #15 and Jeff Green #32 react on state during the Denver Nuggets victory parade and rally after winning the 2023 NBA Championship at Civic Center Park on June 15, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/118ee2d35024234786c59a666cb12948cfae35cc08ac40d54a1bcceef49ae33f.jpg)
5. Denver Nuggets rookie Christian Braun’s winning ways
If you’re looking for a bona fide winner, look no further than Christian Braun. The scrappy rookie joined an exclusive list of players to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship in consecutive seasons.
How does it feel to win the NCAA and NBA Championship in back-to-back years?
— NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2023
Nuggets rookie Christian Braun with much to celebrate 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7cfRhe3N1F
He joins four other players in basketball history who have achieved this back-to-back feat in their rookie season. Those players were Bill Russell, Magic Johnson, Henry Bibby, and Billy Thompson.
Braun helped Kansas win their fourth NCAA title in 2022 as the Jayhawks beat the University of North Carolina in the championship. The 6-foot-7 wing played all 40 minutes of the championship game, adding 12 points and 12 boards with some typically exceptional defense.
With Denver, Braun’s minutes fluctuated throughout the regular season, but he ultimately earned Mike Malone’s trust as a consistent member of the playoff rotation. In the Finals, Braun especially excelled in his role to the tune of 5.8 points per game on a sublime 70.6% from the field. Braun also received his biggest workload of the postseason as Malone played the rook 16.3 minutes per contest.
Braun’s signature Finals moment came in Game 3 on the road. The youngster torched the Heat in their own building for 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting across 19 minutes of action.