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Bruce Brown claims Denver Nuggets let him do what other teams wouldn’t for two years, ‘it felt great…’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Oct 5, 2025 11:00 AM ET

A refreshed Bruce Brown looked back on his time away from the Denver Nuggets, and how limited he felt on other teams.

The Denver Nuggets didn’t make a good account of themselves in their preseason opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Despite the Timberwolves missing Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, the Nuggets, at full strength, couldn’t get the job done.

David Adelman was frustrated with the Nuggets for not capitalizing on their opportunities during the game.

For as frustrating as the night may have been for the Nuggets, it was a reminder for the recently returning Bruce Brown of how difficult his career had been after leaving the team in 2023.

Bruce Brown reflects on ball-handling duties, says other NBA teams didn’t let him carry the ball

Bruce Brown spoke to reporters after his return to the Denver Nuggets. When discussing his performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he admitted he was a little out of sorts.

After leaving the Nuggets in 2023, Brown didn’t get many opportunities to carry the ball while on other teams, and having to take that responsibility again caught him off guard.

“Felt great. A little rusty… I was exhausted. I haven’t brought the ball up in two years, so I was dead. Just getting back and adjusting to it is going to take me some time.

“But I’ll be fine… I’ve been on teams where I didn’t even get to touch (the ball) a few possessions. We (Peyton Watson) took turns bringing the ball up…”

"It felt great to put the Nuggets jersey back on."

Full Bruce Brown press conference ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jXa8f2Rrio
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) October 5, 2025

Denver Nuggets must address weaknesses in preseason

The Nuggets did not put on a good performance in their first preseason game. But they’re lucky that any problems they have are being exposed so early.

Finding out about issues with your playstyle in the preseason is a huge gift, as it allows the coaching staff and front office to make the necessary changes to fix these problems.

Now, the onus is on David Adelman to try and root out these concerns and make sure that the Nuggets are playing their best basketball come the start of the regular season.

The first step to fixing these problems will likely be limiting the mistakes in their next preseason game against the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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