Michael Porter Jr. is an underappreciated part of the Nuggets’ success, bringing a gifted offensive game and improved defensive routine to NBA Finals.
2023 NBA Finals: Are Denver Nuggets the most underrated team ever?
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt explains why the casual fan hasn’t appreciated the talents of the Denver Nuggets.
Sports Pulse
DENVER − Mornings are the best time for Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. to open a journal and begin writing. He uses pen and paper and says it’s good for his mind and body.
“Definitely try to take time to reflect and be grateful,” Porter said. “I try to do gratefulness journaling and just reflect during this journey on all the things there are to be grateful for, but at the same time just stay hungry, keep working, never let up.”
There’s plenty of which Porter has to be grateful. He plays a significant role for the Nuggets, who are up 1-0 against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Game 2 is Sunday (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).
Porter had 14 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in Denver’s Game 1 104-93 victory Thursday. In the playoffs, Porter averages 14.6 points and 8.3 rebounds and shoots 44.3% from the field and 38.6% on 3-pointers.
On an underappreciated team, the 6-10 Porter is an underappreciated part of the success, bringing a gifted offensive game and improved defensive routine to a team that is playing great basketball at the perfect time.
“He’s done amazing, not just with his scoring or his shooting but with the all-around game,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said. “He’s helping out on the boards, grabbing like 10 a game, and playing defense, just communicating more, doing all the little things that will help us be more in tune on both ends of the court, staying spaced, not cutting when it’s not there. Picking his spots when to shoot it, pass it, cut. Just everything. Just playing a more complete game throughout the game.”
Michael Porter Jr.’s rise slowed by back surgeries
It took time for Porter, who turns 25 on June 29, to get here, mainly because of three back surgeries. The first sidelined him for all but three games of his freshman season at Missouri. Another surgery forced him to miss his rookie season with Denver in 2018-19 and another kept him out of 73 of 82 games last season.
“Anyone who has been through rehab or had an injury has those days where it gets very wearisome,” Porter said. “One thing that helps me is the capability to put my feelings aside and do what needs to be done.”
To get those feelings out, Porter said he also vents in his journals. He doesn’t want the weight of those thoughts keeping him down. Vent about his back problems. Vent about missing games.
Coming out of high school, Porter was the No. 2 prospect in the country sandwiched between No. 1 Marvin Bagley and No. 3 Deandre Ayton, according to ESPN. NBA scouts called Porter a top-five talent with elite offensive skills ahead of the 2018 draft but his back issue worried teams and Denver selected him 14th.
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The highs and lows were on and off the court. Would he play again? If so, despite his offensive skills, could he play the type of defense the Nuggets and Malone required of him? The defensive end was a learning curve for Porter, but he is no longer a liability. His effort and production are noticeable, and he signed in 2021 a five-year, $179.3 million contract extension that kicked in at the start of this season. The deal could reach $200 million.
“We’re past the point of praising Michael when he has a good defensive game,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “He needs to, as does everybody else on our team. This is the NBA Finals. … It can’t be like, ‘Hey, look at Michael Porter, he’s doing a great job.’ That is his job.”
Nuggets forward knows offensive sacrifice part of bigger picture
Denver has done a marvelous job finding the right players and getting them to play together. With so many offensive weapons, the Nuggets have the best offense in the playoffs, scoring 119.2 points per 100 possessions and a team-best 122.7 points per 100 possessions. He benefits from the defensive attention opponents give to Nikola Jokic and Murray. With his size and length, Porter’s ability to shoot and score at the rim is difficult to defend.
He could score more but on a team like Denver’s, offensive sacrifice is part of the plan.
“Any good team in the NBA, you know you got to have guys that are willing to play a role, sacrifice if you want to get to the point we’re at right now,” Porter said. “It’s panned out well. It’s definitely a balance between sacrificing, still trying to get better, continuing to grow. That just is a mental balance that you have to have.”
That’s where Porter’s journal entries come in. Of the themes that have emerged from them, gratitude rises to the top.
“Try to be grateful for the moment, and still know I have a long way to go to be the player that I want to be,” Porter said. “But definitely got to stay grateful.”
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
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