The celebrity cameo on the early-morning bus didn’t get any less surprising after the first time. In fact, it became even more so, once Christian Braun realized it was a trend and not a one-time occurrence.
Optional shootarounds are only optional for a select few. “It’s always mandatory for the first-, second-, third-year guys,” Braun said. “Guys that don’t play as much.” Starters are off the hook if they choose to prioritize rest and recovery. When the Nuggets are on the road, there’s often an 8 a.m. bus to the gym for these informal opportunities to get extra shots up.