Christian Braun, Bruce Brown: Nuggets deserve multiple All-stars
Nuggets rookie Christian Braun hasn’t been around for long, but he knows the party line.
As the best team in the Western Conference heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Braun said the Nuggets were deserving of numerous All-star nods in this month’s exhibition in Salt Lake City.
“We need multiple,” Braun said after Thursday’s shootaround. “Obviously, we’re the best team in the (West) right now. … Guys like Aaron (Gordon), guys like Jamal (Murray), they deserve recognition for the things they’re doing night in and night out.”
Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has already been named an All-star starter. By virtue of their 35-16 record, Denver’s coaching staff will be traveling to Utah as well and serving as the coaching staff for Team Lebron. That accolade was announced Wednesday night.
But Braun and fellow newcomer Bruce Brown both promoted the candidacies of Murray and Gordon ahead of Thursday’s announcement for All-star reserves.
“Jamal’s playing at an
All-star level, and Aaron’s playing at an All-star level,” Brown said.
For the last two months, Murray’s averaged 20.5 points on 40% 3-point shooting, with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds. While less gaudy, nearly all of Gordon’s year has been efficient. In 46 games, Gordon’s averaged 16.8 points per game and 6.8 rebounds, while assuming the top defensive assignments on a nightly basis. Gordon’s also shooting a careerhigh 58% from the field.
Murray said he knows he had a slow start to his season coming off his ACL return but won’t let his inclusion or exclusion in the All-star Game make or break his budding confidence.
“We’re a team that deserves a lot of guys,” Braun said. “Whether we get them or we don’t, we’re going to continue to do what we do.”
As reserve wing Davon Reed walked off the court Thursday, he grabbed a reporter and whispered that Kentavious Caldwellpope, who’s shooting 46% from 3-point range this year, deserved to be in the 3-point contest as well.
Regardless of Thursday night’s results, there’s a good chance the Nuggets will be well-represented in Salt Lake City.