The Denver Nuggets became the 2022-23 season NBA champions after defeating Miami Heat in the Finals. To reach the finals, Nuggets had to go face tough challenges from teams, which had big names like Kevin Durant and LeBron James. However, not only they overcame these challenges, but they did in a dominant fashion. They handed LeBron James-led Lakers a complete and embarrassing sweep in the Western Conference Finals. Now, two months later to that victory, Bruce Brown, who was part of the championship team, spoke in detail about it on “Run Your Race” podcast.
Advertisement
Many hailed Brown as the most unlikely hero of the NBA finals. His ability to cut and put screens is top-class. In most parts of the WCF, Brown, and Aaron Gordon took on the responsibility of guarding LeBron James. Brown was so impressive for the Nuggets that he was the primary closer for the last three games for his team in the Finals. Brown declined his $6.8 million player option and entered free agency since the Nuggets were not paying him what he wanted. Finally, he signed a massive 2-year $45 million contract with the Indiana Pacers.
Bruce Brown Jr. says LeBron James was done with his teammates
Speaking on the podcast, the former Nuggets star went back to Game 4 of the WCF. He said that Bron came ready to turn the tables on his team. However, there was a switch in the way he was playing in the second half. James left the second quarter with just 15 seconds remaining on the clock. Brown said that LBJ gave up because he had no help from the rest of the team. This is what he said on the podcast;
“We were just missing shots and Bron, he would have to score 60. He was done…he was burned out. He was so passive to start the third quarter and we were like oh he is done.”
Bruce Brown said LeBron was “done” after the start of the second half of the final game in the DEN vs LA series. pic.twitter.com/c8N47kdHGQ
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) July 18, 2023
Brown also added that the four-time NBA champion was doing everything in his power to win the game. However, strategically, the Nuggets started to switch matchups with him to tire him out. They were successful in doing that. He also added that James was “hoping somebody comes along with him.”
LeBron threatened retirement after a clean sweep by the Denver Nuggets
The sweep by the Nuggets was one of the most embarrassing losses the King has ever faced in his career. Despite the low expectations from the team, very few expected a clean sweep. However, if anyone in the league knows how to use the media, it’s James.
Right after the Game 4 loss, LBJ suggested a possible retirement from the NBA. “I got a lot to think about, to be honest,” James said after the sweep. “Just for me personally, going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about it.”
He later told Dave McMenamin that he was thinking of retiring. Well, after all, after being under constant media scrutiny for over two decades, something paid off for Bron.
