INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Christian Braun finished fourth in the Most Improved Player race because of his increased statistical contributions across the board, but David Adelman shared an area of Braun’s growth that’s harder to quantify prior to Game 6.
The Nuggets’ interim coach was asked about Nikola Jokic’s increased leadership but offered a behind-the-scenes example of another area of Braun’s maturation.
“CB’s been amazing in the film sessions. He’s grown up a little bit,” Adelman said. “He’s not just taking it from other people. He’s got his own opinion about how he thinks things should get done, and I love it.”
Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels won the award by receiving 44 of 100 first-place votes and amassing 332 total points. Clippers center Ivica Zubac (23 first-place votes, 188 points) and Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (15 first-place votes, 122 points) finished second and third, respectively.
Braun received nine first-place votes and finished with 120 points. The 24-year-old completed the Nuggets’ starting five after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s departure last summer and quickly showed he was up to the challenge. He served as Denver’s primary defender on James Harden for a majority of the series.
Harden scored 32 points in Game 1 but finished with fewer than 20 points in three of the next four games, including Game 5 when he finished with 11 points on nine shots with four turnovers.
“He’s really competed to guard him, and I give our bigs a lot of credit for being up, being active with their hands,” Adelman said.
“There’s so many things to him to deal with.”
Last season, Braun averaged 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and .5 steals while shooting 46% from the field and 38.4% from 3-point range. Those numbers improved to 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 58% from the field and 39.7% from 3 in his third NBA season.
No time for self-appraisal
Denver’s coach was asked to rate his job performance prior to his ninth game in charge.
It doesn’t sound like Adelman has spent much time reflecting amid the madness.
“I have no idea. I’m just doing the best I can. I love the team I get to coach. Two and a half weeks ago, I was a lead assistant. Now, I’m coaching the playoffs in Game 6 in LA,” Adelman said.
“I haven’t really thought about it. I’m just glad the guys have stayed connected through all the stuff that happened at the end of year. And we put ourselves in a good situation in this series.”
Adelman went 3-0 to close the regular season and won three of his first five playoff games.
More horseplay
Clippers fans sitting in “The Wall” at Intuit Dome wore hats shaped like horse heads in an effort to take Nikola Jokic out of his game.
Jokic had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists, but the Clippers won by 34. They returned to their tricks Thursday with inflatable hobby horses.
Denver’s three-time Most Valuable Player posted 20 points on 13 shots with five rebounds and four assists while facing The Wall in the first half of Game 6.
