Christian Braun - Most Improved Player?

[Twizlers]

I feel like Christian Braun is going under the radar this season and is just playing phenomenally.

2023-24: 7/3.7/1.6 on 46%/38%/69% splits
2024-25: 15/5/2.1 on 58%/37%/83% splits

Not only that, but he has steadily been improving throughout the year. He just had 26 points last night on 12 of 14 shooting. Remember everyone talking about how KCP leaving would be detrimental to the Nuggets; not only has Braun stepped into the starting role seamlessly but he is playing better overall (yes defense isn't as elite as KCP but he's a very good defender in his own right).

Anyone watching the Nuggets can see how pivotal Braun has been to their offense and is already one of the best cutters in the league, which pairs perfectly with Jokic. Not to mention in transition he is automatic. I saw a stat last night that he is 1st in shooting guards in dunks with 69 this season.. 2nd place is former dunk champion Zach LaVine with 51.

Christian Braun deserves more love.

[brackdan70]

Pretty big jump in impact metrics as well.
General 300-400th ranked guy last year. Flirting with top 100 this year.

[Godymas]

He’s up there for sure, but Norm Powell seems like a lock to win right now.

The betting odds say Cade Cunningham, but Cade was not too far off from this last year. Norm came out nowhere.

That’s kind of the argument against Christian Braun, young guy, next man up. Norm is like 31 and doing what he’s doing.

[JujitsuFlip]

He’s up there for sure, but Norm Powell seems like a lock to win right now.

The betting odds say Cade Cunningham, but Cade was not too far off from this last year. Norm came out nowhere.

That’s kind of the argument against Christian Braun, young guy, next man up. Norm is like 31 and doing what he’s doing.

Yeah, I'd say it's Norm and not particularly close.

[Infinite Llamas]

Braun is a relentless slasher, constantly looking for angles to the rim. Completely different player from last year who looked a lot more passive. It’s very clear he has worked on his game a lot. His biggest defensive issues I see is that he jumps on every pump fake. But he’s certainly a lot stronger than he looks.

He’s having a better season than Murray at a fraction of the cost.

[Magic_Johnny12]

KCP - Most un-improved player?

[jasonxxx102]

Braun is fine but put him on a team without Jokic and see what happens.

[Raps in 4]

It's time for the Nuggets to trade him before he hits RFA.

[tcheco]

He’s up there for sure, but Norm Powell seems like a lock to win right now.

The betting odds say Cade Cunningham, but Cade was not too far off from this last year. Norm came out nowhere.

That’s kind of the argument against Christian Braun, young guy, next man up. Norm is like 31 and doing what he’s doing.

Did Norm come out of nowhere? 6 points up from his best season? finally being in the starting lineup after years of backing up other stars? I wasn't that surprised, at least I always knew in the correct role he could perform close to what he is right now. Braun on the other hand never proved he could deliver twice the ammount of points keeping up the percentages.

[kwajo]

Braun is fine but put him on a team without Jokic and see what happens.

I agree to an extent, but this is a guy who has won at every level in his life, so I do feel he is more capable than most would be without Jokic.

[hardenASG13]

Braun is fine but put him on a team without Jokic and see what happens.

I agree to an extent, but this is a guy who has won at every level in his life, so I do feel he is more capable than most would be without Jokic.

Braun would be fine playing off any star player, he's a clear starting caliber guard.

[hugepatsfan]

His minutes have jumped from 20.2 to 32.8 per game. The percentages are up, as OP illustrated, but a huge chunk of the volume is simply playing more. Per 36 he's actually averaging less rebound and assists compared to last year and a much smaller jump in points (16.3 vs. 13.1).

Not saying he hasn't improved because doing it as a higher minute starter vs. backup is a big step up in difficulty. I just don't think it's the type of breakout and huge leap that's going to have him seriously considered for MIP. Which is fine and he's still a big development for them this year.

I also push back a bit on the direct comparison to KCP. I think the consensus was that Braun was/is a good player who can play. The issue with letting KCP go that people though would hurt DEN wasn't so much Braun replacing KCP's minutes, it was Strawther then stepping into the Braun minutes that he was vacating off the bench for his new role that people thought would hurt.

[jasonxxx102]

Braun is fine but put him on a team without Jokic and see what happens.

I agree to an extent, but this is a guy who has won at every level in his life, so I do feel he is more capable than most would be without Jokic.

Braun would be fine playing off any star player, he's a clear starting caliber guard.

I disagree. Brauns scoring is mostly setup by Jokic being one of the best passers in NBA history.

He has little to no creation ability on his own, so you couldn't just throw him on any team and he has the same impact.

Is he a starting caliber player? On some teams, sure.

[Special_Puppy]

Letting KCP walk and having Braun start was clearly the right decision in hindsight. I was pretty wrong about this

[zero rings]

Dude is basically white Giannis in transition. He leads all guards in FG% and dunks.

That said, it’s hard to tell how much of this is improvement vs just playing more with Jokic.

[hardenASG13]

I agree to an extent, but this is a guy who has won at every level in his life, so I do feel he is more capable than most would be without Jokic.

Braun would be fine playing off any star player, he's a clear starting caliber guard.

I disagree. Brauns scoring is mostly setup by Jokic being one of the best passers in NBA history.

He has little to no creation ability on his own, so you couldn't just throw him on any team and he has the same impact.

Is he a starting caliber player? On some teams, sure.

I mean sure, he's a secondary piece on offense. But he's not the focus of the opposing defense and gets downhill well when he has an advantage, moves well, gets in transition, cuts hard, rebounds. I think he'd be basically the same player playing with any star who can collapse and control what the defense is doing. Braun has been playing really well. Denver is loaded, though they don't have a second all star.

[facothomas22]

It appears Normal Powell is running away with that award with his level of play. However Christian Braun is the Nuggets 4th best player this year. I would easily put Jamaal Murray ahead of him. Michael Porter jr is ahead of him, but the gap is closing. Aaron Gordon simply hasn't been as good as he has been. The scoring has been good and defense is still holding up as well. The Nuggets found themselves a gem with Braun.

[Handlez]

Braun is him.

[iye6ry4e7r3]

KCP - Most un-improved player?

ORL made low risk low payoff moves.