Nugg Love
Fansided

NBA: MPJ can be the best rookie in the NBA next season

By Michael Mannen

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Michael Porter Jr. shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected number fourteen overall by the Denver Nuggets during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Michael Porter Jr. shakes hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected number fourteen overall by the Denver Nuggets during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michael Porter Jr. could potentially be a real difference maker for the Denver Nuggets

After missing the 2018-19 season due to injuries, Michael Porter Jr. appears healthy enough to play next season for the Denver Nuggets.

MPJ will play in the summer League this July. As a high school and college player he showcased that he had the talent and skills necessary to play well with the Nuggets.

He is a sharp shooter that can pass and dribble well for his size. At 6’10” he can play multiple positions on the basketball court. This will enable him to play well along side Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

His ability to hit the three-point shot is unparalleled for a player his size in the 2019 NBA draft. This makes his game perfect for the modern NBA.

To quote ESPN’s Brian Windhorst in 2018 NBA Draft Scouting Video,

"He is the prototypical player for the modern NBA. Tall, athletic and can shoot."

MPJ could play multiple roles for the Nuggets. He can function as a spot-up shooter, a power forward, and even a point guard.  Players with such versatility typically do well in the NBA. His size and speed will enable him to guard multiple positions on the defensive end of the floor as well.

According to Jay Williams in MPJ’s 2018 NBA Draft Scouting Video,

"He can shoot the ball from deep…he can score over the top of you because he is 6’10”. He can handle the ball like a point-forward.Like he is a guy that is going to fit right into the league right away and be impactful."

Jay Williams was selected 2nd overall in the 2002 NBA draft after being selected National College Player of the Year.

MPJ’s style of play is reminiscent of a Dirk Nowitzki or Kristaps Porzingis. His ceiling is definitely high as an NBA player.

His impact can definitely put the Denver Nuggets over the top. In the 2019 playoffs, the Nuggets were one quarter away from making it to the Western Conference Finals. The Nuggets also had the second best record in the Western Conference last season. Depending on what KD does next season, the Nuggets are one player away from making it potentially to the NBA finals.

Depending on whether or not Paul Millsap is retained, MPJ could be a starting power forward for the Nuggets. He would also make a perfect sixth man to give them energy off the bench.

His combination of height, shooting, and versatility is not possessed by another player in the 2019 NBA draft. However, MPJ’s success is obviously contingency upon his health.

In a way, the Nuggets were lucky that MPJ was injured. If he would have played the full season for Missouri, he would have likely went higher in the  2018 draft and not been picked by the Nuggets. And MPJ by being injured was lucky because he was able to start his career on a team with a winning track record like the Nuggets.

If healthy next season, MPJ could be a serious contender for NBA Rookie of the Year. 

Home/Nuggets News