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Nuggets role player calling himself team's 'vocal leader' is massive indictment of Nikola Jokić
TL;DR
Christian Braun has declared himself the 'vocal leader' of the Denver Nuggets, raising questions about the leadership roles of established stars like Nikola Jokić. This shift in dynamics comes after a disappointing playoff performance by the team.
Key points
- Christian Braun claims to be the Nuggets' vocal leader
- Nikola Jokić's leadership questioned after playoff defeat
- Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves in the first round
- Braun is a fifth starter, not a star player
- Team dynamics under scrutiny following disappointing performance
Denver NuggetsNikola JokićChristian BraunAaron Gordon
When you look at the Denver Nuggets roster, on paper, you see a lot of guys who probably should be leaders.
There's Aaron Gordon, the versatile Swiss Army Knife. There's Jamal Murray, the All-NBA-caliber guard. Above all, there's three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, the man who sets the table for the Nuggets and is the main reason anyone takes them remotely seriously.
But apparently, none of these esteemed gentlemen is the Nuggets' "vocal leader." No, no, that role apparently belongs to Denver's fifth starter, Christian Braun, an average defender and mediocre shooter best known for thriving in offensive transition. Honestly, I'm starting to see why Jokić's Nuggets looked so weak and so soft in a convincing first-round playoff defeat to the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves.
More from the Denver Post's Bennett Durando:
“It’s just unacceptable [the Nuggets' playoff loss]. Especially with the talent we have on this roster,” Braun said. “I think when we come here every single year, we talk about championships. That’s our mindset and our goal. And obviously, we fell short. A first-round exit’s not acceptable. We’ve gotta bounce back. We’ve gotta get to work. … You can kind of put it on my shoulders. I think this team wasn’t resilient enough in the playoffs.”
When asked to elaborate, he said the lack of resilience was a reflection of him.
“I just think I’m the leader of this team,” Braun said. “I’m the vocal leader of this team. And when we don’t play well as a whole, you can blame whatever you want … You can blame anything. But I didn’t play well enough as an individual, and I didn’t have this team ready enough to play in a tough series. So we’ll be better. I’ll be better. I’m looking forward to next year, when we can respond.”
I'm sorry, WHAT? Braun is the vocal leader on a team featuring one of only nine NBA players ever to win three MVP awards, a guard known as one of the greatest playoff risers in playoff history, and a forward widely recognized as one of the Association's premier glue guys in the 2020s? Really?! No disrespect intended to Braun, but that responsibility shouldn't be on him.
Q&A
Why did Christian Braun call himself the vocal leader of the Nuggets?
Christian Braun claimed the title to emphasize his role in motivating the team, despite being a less prominent player compared to stars like Nikola Jokić.
What does Christian Braun's statement imply about Nikola Jokić's leadership?
Braun's assertion suggests a potential lack of vocal leadership from Jokić, raising concerns about the team's dynamics and effectiveness.
How did the Nuggets perform in the playoffs against the Timberwolves?
The Nuggets suffered a convincing first-round playoff defeat to the shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves, which highlighted their weaknesses.
Who are the key players on the Denver Nuggets roster?
The key players include Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray, all of whom are expected to lead the team.
