Christian Braun couldn't have dreamed up a better scenario than the one he lived in 2022 -- he went from winning a national championship with Kansas to being drafted No. 21 overall by the Denver Nuggets a few months later. The rookie went on to help Denver win its first-ever NBA title, playing a key role down the stretch.
Braun wrapped up his third NBA regular season a few days ago, averaging a career-best 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 58% from the field and 39.7% from three. He went from starting in a combined 10 games his first two seasons to starting 77 of 79 with the Nuggets during the 2024-25 regular season.
Denver was criticized for letting Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave to sign with Orlando in 2024 free agency, a decision that surprisingly aged well. Caldwell-Pope's departure created an opening in the Nuggets' starting lineup that Braun filled. The 23-year-old guard seized the opportunity, so much so that he's in the conversation for the NBA Most Improved Player award.
The Athletic's Fred Katz wrote a piece that detailed Braun's relationship (subscription required) with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. Braun didn't pat himself on the back for his breakout season, but instead, pointed toward Jokic:
“It’s all credit to Nikola,” Braun said. “He’ll grab you during the game, and he’ll tell you, ‘I want you here because they’re gonna do this.’ He’ll know three steps ahead. The credit doesn’t go to me.”
Braun credits Jokic for his ascension in year three with the Nuggets
Braun recalled a moment during his rookie season with Jokic that helped change everything for the young guard. He told The Athletic that the Nuggets begin practice stretching for 10 minutes, which isn't something Braun took seriously, at least not at first. Jokic previously told Braun he needed to "concentrate" during stretching, but it wasn't until the superstar moved the rookie's mat beside his own that the youngster understood.
Jokic told The Athletic that properly caring for your body "can save your career." He helped Braun understand the importance of sticking to a routine to put your body in the best position possible to compete. Braun still stretches with Jokic and also follows the star to the weight room after games.
Braun has a six-foot-eleven generational advantage that other young players (who aren't in Denver) don't have. He is learning from a player who will go down in history as one of the best to play the game. Look at how it's worked out for him.
The guard who once didn't think stretching for 10 minutes meant much of anything realized it was more important than he ever imagined, thanks to the one and only Nikola Jokic.