1 troubling post-All-Star break slump that must end for Nuggets to make playoff run

When Michael Porter Jr. rises up to shoot from three these days, Nuggets fans’ confidence that the ball will splash through is not as strong as it has been throughout MPJ’s career. The “Yeah, Mike” moments are seemingly fewer and further between. But why is a once-deadly shooter now continuously clanking three-pointers?

MPJ’s Post-ASB Shooting Snapshot

Since the All-Star break, MPJ has shot a distressing 30.3% from beyond the arc, converting just 1.8 of his 6.1 attempted three-pointers per game. Let that sink in. A career 40% three-point shooter suddenly morphed into someone shooting six percentage points behind this season’s league average, punctuated by Monday’s 1/10 outing in the loss to the Bulls.

During the post-All-Star game slump, he ranks eighth among the Nuggets’ three-point marksmen who have seen meaningful minutes. Even worse, he’s plummeted to a sixth-place standing on the team for the entire season, at least cashing a more respectable 38.9% from deep. However, that figure falls behind that of fellow stars Aaron Gordon (45.8%), Nikola Jokic (41.3%) and Jamal Murray (40.1%) — and also trails Jalen Pickett (40.0%) and Christian Braun (39.3%).

The Denver Nuggets need more out of their 6’11” sharpshooting forward, and he’s recently tried affecting the game in other ways.

Evolving Beyond (and Inside) the Arc

Fortunately for Denver, Porter Jr. hasn’t just stood off in the corner pouting throughout the slump. He’s explored his game a bit, adding some sorely needed offensive versatility.

Attacking the Basket

Leveraging the still-present threat of the three-ball, MPJ has developed some ability in getting to the rack, showcasing more dynamic movement and confidence with the ball in his hands. By no means am I overwhelmingly confident in his driving to create his own shot, but Mike’s growth in putting pressure on the rim is obvious.

Midrange Maturity

MPJ has also seemingly made a conscious effort to shoot more open midrange jumpers. Expanding the midrange component of his offensive toolkit suggests to me he’s actively working to become less dependent solely on perimeter shooting. Heck, he can shoot over most defenders from anywhere on the floor.

Defensive Engagement and Rebounding

Defensively, Porter Jr. has taken steps forward — albeit with the occasional brain freeze that reminds everyone of his still necessary progress on that end. When locked in, I think he’s shown better flashes of on-ball defensive potential than in seasons past.

His rebounding has also been consistently impressive, upping his per-game average to 8.2 since the break. Mike’s even shown some outlet passing chops after snagging defensive boards a few times in recent weeks.

As the Nuggets seek to find their footing ahead of the playoffs, MPJ’s growth only underscores his value beyond pure shooting.

Denver’s Offensive Resilience Despite the Slump

Here’s the confusing part: In spite of Porter Jr.’s individual shooting struggles, the Nuggets remain an offensive juggernaut. Denver currently ranks 4th in the NBA in three-point percentage — and first in clutch three-point shooting at a scorching-hot 45.5%.

As the third option on the fourth-best offense in the NBA, Porter Jr. can take solace in knowing his slump can turn from a potential disaster into a mere plot twist in this season’s story. The Jokic-led offense still hums along without him. But if — hopefully, when — he rediscovers his shooting touch by playoff time, this Nuggets offense can kick into an even higher gear.

They just have to trust themselves to take — and make — the open threes opponents dare them to hit.

What’s Next for the Nuggets?

Porter Jr.’s willingness to expand his game while navigating stagnant shooting demonstrates the complex path of NBA player development during an arduous 82-game season. It’s never linear! But Mike is fighting to meaningfully contribute, establishing himself as a more comprehensive, adaptable threat on offense — and improved on the defensive end.

As the playoff push approaches, Nuggets fans will watch to see how Porter progresses. During the NBA’s postseason, when the weight of every possession crumbles even the most resilient players, Denver needs MPJ’s shooting stroke at its peak for the Nuggets to reach anywhere close to theirs.

Keep shooting, MPJ!