During the playoffs this year, Bruce Brown averaged 12 points and 4 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets.
After years of being an under-the-radar NBA star, Brown was on the league’s biggest stage – and ultimately took home its biggest prize.
It capped off a great season for Brown, who is now known by so many more fans.
And while it all worked out in his favor, Brown admits that the season started with a lack of options.
Speaking to Tidal League, Brown said that no teams were picking up the phone and calling him at the beginning of last season.
It was Nuggets head coach Mike Malone who reached out to Brown and offered him a spot on the team.
“All the money dried up and I didn’t know where I was going. Coach Malone called me at 8 a.m. in the morning and was like, ‘I don’t know why you are still on the board…’,” he said.
Did you know that signing with Denver was Bruce Brown’s only option last year?
“All the money dried up and I didn’t know where I was going…coach Malone called me at 8am in the morning and was like, I don’t know why you are still on the board…”@BruceBrown11 | @tpinsonn pic.twitter.com/IEwQjnrLS3
— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) July 18, 2023
That was a phone call that would change Brown’s life and his career trajectory forever.
Brown was brought to the Nuggets after a couple of seasons with the Brooklyn Nets and his rookie year with the Detroit Pistons.
He was needed in Denver because the team was planning to go easy on Jamal Murray, who was returning after a long absence.
Brown was seen as someone who could take pressure off of Murray’s shoulders and let him find his rhythm again.
In the end, he would go on to average 12 points a game.
He also became a vital part of the team’s culture and chemistry.
Because of that, he was in much more demand this offseason.
Brown signed a two-year, $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers at the start of free agency.
Although he ultimately ended up with the Pacers, they weren’t the only team trying to land Brown.
Because of the breakout season he had in Denver and the team’s major success, he is now well-known and respected.
It might have started in an uncertain way but last season was definitely special for Brown.
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