Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun recently shared insights about how playing with NBA veteran Russell Westbrook during the 2024 season significantly influenced his performance. Westbrook, a future Hall of Famer, joined the Nuggets for the 2024 offseason and spent one season with the team, leaving a noticeable impact on both individual players and team dynamics. Braun credited this partnership with helping elevate his game during that period.
The Competitive Atmosphere Westbrook Created
On The Old Man and The Three podcast, Braun highlighted the intense work ethic and competitiveness Westbrook brought to the Nuggets. Braun said,
“Talk about a relentless work ethic, that’s probably the biggest thing,”
describing the intense pressure of playing alongside established stars. He compared the feeling of competing with Westbrook to the pressure of playing alongside Nuggets star Nikola Jokic:
“For me with Russ, early on, there’s pressure playing with Russ, the same pressure playing with Jokic.”
This comparison underlines the high expectations Braun felt while sharing the court with such elite teammates.
Internal Drive Fueled by Role Competition
Although Braun frequently started games and Westbrook came off the bench as the sixth man, the competition for playing time pushed Braun to maintain peak performance consistently. Braun explained,
“Playing with Russ, especially when I was starting and Russ was sixth man, I knew every single day and every single game that if I didn’t bring it, there’s a chance coach [Malone] will play Russ and Russ would close the game. And I knew that, and it so that really pushed me every night.”
This ongoing battle to secure his position motivated Braun to avoid missing games, as he feared Westbrook stepping in and producing outstanding performances. He added,
“I didn’t want to miss games, because if you miss a game and Russ slides in, there’s a really good chance he has a triple-double and you don’t get your spot back,”
and emphasized,
“I’m out there like, ‘I need to play tonight.’”
Career-Best Season Achieved During Westbrook’s Tenure
This fierce competition and motivation coincided with Braun’s most productive NBA season to date. Over the course of the 2024 season, Braun averaged 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He posted an impressive shooting efficiency, converting 58% of his field goal attempts and nearly 40% of three-pointers. Reflecting his commitment and health, Braun missed only three games during this period, continuing his reputation for durability early in his career, as noted by AvandaTimes.
Westbrook’s Departure and Braun’s Reflection on Their Time Together
Westbrook’s time with the Nuggets ended after one season, with the team deciding not to retain him. In November, Westbrook openly discussed the circumstances behind his exit, saying,
“The truth is that they didn’t want me back,”
and added,
“… They told me not to [pick up the player option].”
Despite this parting, Braun acknowledged Westbrook’s lasting influence on his development. He reflected,
“He’s obviously another big part of my career, indirectly, and I don’t even know if he knows that,”
and continued,
“Indirectly, Russ helped me out a lot last year.”
Westbrook’s Memorable Contribution to Denver’s Playoff Run
Westbrook’s role as a game-changer during Denver’s first-round playoff run further underscored his brief but impactful presence with the Nuggets. Although his stay was short, the veteran’s competitive energy and skill influenced team performance and individual growth, particularly for Braun. Looking ahead, the experience gained during this period is likely to continue shaping Braun’s approach and confidence on the court.
