Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman defends recent comments made by Christian Braun.
The Denver Nuggets fell short of expectations this past season, losing in the first round to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Nuggets entered the playoffs as the three seed and watched the Timberwolves lose their starting backcourt in the first half of game four when Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles and Anthony Edwards hyperextended his knee.
Despite not having Edwards and DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves went on to win game four and then won game six to close out the Nuggets, bringing about questions to the future of the franchise.
Any time a team exits from the playoffs sooner than anticipated, questions are going to arise.
Christian Braun Takes Ownership
After the series was over, Nuggets guard Christian Braun took ownership of the first round loss, telling Bennett Durando of the Denver Post, “I just think I’m the leader of this team. I’m the vocal leader of this team. I didn’t play well enough as an individual, and I didn’t have this team ready enough to play in a tough series.”
He was ridiculed by many online for his comments as Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon are looked at as the leaders on the team given that they are the top three players and have the most tenure.
Braun struggled against the Timberwolves, averaging 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 41% from the field. No one on the Nuggets had much success on the defensive side of the floor, and Braun was in that group who had trouble staying in front of the opposition, whether they were too quick or too physical.
David Adelman Defends Braun
Nuggets head coach David Adelman spoke to Durando, and backed the comments by Braun.
"CB's a leader. ... I love what CB said. That's what a human being should say: 'I'm frustrated. I want to be better. I want the team to be better. And I want to win.'"
Adelman admitted that it took a lot of Braun to make those comments, because "you're gonna get ripped regardless." He praised the group for staying together and speaking up despite all the injuries and the different lineups they had to use.
Adelman said it was a good year for leadership, and believes that it can get better.
The Nuggets battled injuries throughout the year with Braun, Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Jokic, Peyton Watson, and Gordon all missing extended periods of time. In total, the teamlost nearly 250 man games to injury.