How the series turned in favor of the Nuggets thanks to Christian Braun, Denver's pest

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Perhaps it’s my background as a hockey player, but I find it fascinating to see a player get inside an opponent’s head. As Christian Braun committed a foul on James Harden just moments before halftime in Saturday's important Game 4 victory, Harden lost his temper, but Braun stood his ground. Harden was upset about the foul. Dialogue took place. It was, as people often state, "happening. The disorder that followed with Jokic moving in, Harden shoving, attempts to hit Gordon, Zubac holding AG, and referees frantically attempting to regain control led to a total of six technical fouls, distributed between both teams. However, what mattered most was that it created something the Nuggets were in dire need of: an inspiration. Trailing 2-1 in the series and playing away, the Nuggets seized the opportunity and went on to dominate the Clippers 35-17 during the third quarter. I believe that was not just a coincidence.

Let's face it: Every team aiming for the championship requires that player. You are familiar with that player: he generates intense animosity from rival fans but is adored by his own supporters. A bothersome person who leads you to think, “I would dislike that guy if he were not part of my team. ”

Christian Braun has firmly established that role for the Nuggets, and it appears to bring him great joy. During the media session after practice on Monday, Braun spoke about the incident with reporters, reflecting the attitude of a player who appears to excel in intense situations: "I find it enjoyable. " In my opinion, it enhances the enjoyment of the game. "That’s the essence of playoff basketball," replied Christian Braun. What's even more impressive is that Braun has experience in irritating his rivals. His collection of annoyances becomes increasingly remarkable each year. After he delivered a powerful dunk on Rudy Gobert in December, he did not simply leave the scene. No, CB ensured that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year was informed about it. Gobert responded like anyone would after almost having his head severed, seizing Braun by the neck before shoving the young man from Kansas aside. Sadly, this event led to Minnesota achieving a comeback win in the last five minutes. Think back to April 2023, when Kyle Anderson believed he could make an easy mid-range shot after a whistle while the Nuggets had a large lead. Braun disagreed, intercepting the ball and prompting Anderson to swing his elbow in annoyance. The action centered on CB, leading to the two teams needing separation. What is it that makes Braun such a powerful instigator? It might be his athletic skill, his audacity, or perhaps the irritating grin he shows during these instances, but I find it appealing! Every exchange appears to signal that playing against the Nuggets won't be a walk in the park.

The Core of the Championship is Revived: In my view, the most significant part of Saturday’s altercation was not Braun being involved, but rather the speed at which his teammates came to support him. As Jokic quickly moved in the direction of Harden and Gordon dashed past Zubac to join in, the Nuggets were not just standing up for their teammate against a bully; they were also defending their championship spirit.

Despite almost losing a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter (let’s avoid discussing past events), the takeaway stays the same: This Nuggets team supports each other. Could this annoying moment powered by Christian Braun energize the Nuggets for the remainder of this series? The confrontation between Paul Millsap and Marcus Morris definitely contributed to sparking the comeback from 3-1 in the bubble. Winning championships requires more than just having talent. They frequently have an advantage. The champions of 2023 exhibited a competitive spirit, yet the current team has faced challenges in finding that same intensity. On Saturday afternoon, the Mile High team may have rediscovered their form, largely due to the exceptional influence of Christian Braun. With the series returning to Denver at 2-2, the Nuggets regain their home-court advantage and establish themselves as the aggressive team that refuses to retreat in this matchup.