Nugg Love
Fansided

Why the Nuggets need to take the chains off of Michael Porter Jr.

By Quenton S. Albertie

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 12: Michael Porter Jr. #1 puts up a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center on January 12, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 12: Michael Porter Jr. #1 puts up a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center on January 12, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

There’s a good chance you already know all about Michael Porter Jr., who could be key to the Denver Nuggets’ ability to reach the NBA Finals.

Michael Porter Jr., selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 14th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, was ranked as the second-best high school player in the ESPN 100 (behind big man Marvin Bagley III) heading into his freshman season at the University of Missouri. However, after a lower back injury that required a microdiscectomy, Porter would miss all but the entirety of his freshman campaign before entering the 2018 NBA Draft.

This led to not only the precipitous slip of his draft stock but to the Nuggets choosing to have Porter sit out for the entire 2018-19 season, as he would have a surgery on his lumbar spine to deal with herniated disks prior to the season.

It wouldn’t be until the 2019-20 season, on Oct. 31, that Porter would see his first NBA action. But when MPJ got his chance, he didn’t disappoint.

In 21 minutes, Porter went 5-8 from the field against the New Orleans Pelicans on his way to a 15-point rookie debut, pulling down four rebounds as well. Suiting up for 48 contests before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the NBA to suspend play, Porter has averages of 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.0 minutes per game, shooting 49.5% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range. In his lone start of the season, Porter amassed 19 points on 8-10 shooting from the field, adding in six rebounds for good measure.

Ever since he became a nationally-renowned player, one skill that everyone knew Porter had was the ability to put the ball in the basket. In his rookie season with the Nuggets, Porter showed that he was as gifted a scorer as they come.

He scored in every way. Off of cuts, off-the-dribble, off screens, off putbacks, on spot-ups and pull-ups from midrange and three-point range. His shooting touch, ability to create space and to take advantage of his height allowed him to score over the top of defenders. When he was by the basket, his patience allowed him to score with relative ease.

Looking at his numbers, Porter Jr. would score 19.2 points and 10.7 rebounds in 36 minutes per game in the 2019-20 season. Although using per 36 numbers as a predictive measure is an inexact science, his splits from his rookie season showed that he averaged 15.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in the 14 contests that he received between 20-29 minutes of playing time.

His defense may not have been anything to call home about but his length allows him to disrupt the accuracy of players trying to score inside or outside.

35-year-old power forward Paul Millsap, one of the Nuggets’ most important players, is expected to return to Denver next season. So MPJ, whether a promising scorer or not, won’t be entering the starting lineup anytime soon.

However, it’s time to increase Porter Jr.’s playing time, allowing him to average at least 20.0 minutes per game.

There’s certainly the chance that a heavy workload could increase the potential for MPJ to get injured or aggravate his back but in an era where players with complicated injury histories consistently sit out of games, the Nuggets would just need to be wise about what games Porter plays heavy minutes in.

Increasing MPJ’s minutes may have to come at the expense of forward Jerami Grant, who was acquired by the Nuggets in the 2019 offseason and who has averaged 26.2 minutes per game in the 2019-20 season. Grant, who has a player option for $9.3 million in the 2020-21 season may return to Denver.

Forward Torrey Craig, who has averaged 17.4 minutes per game in the 2019-20 season, could also see his minutes cut for Porter. Unlike Grant, Craig’s future with the team isn’t in his hands, as he only has a qualifying offer for the 2020-21 season. At 29-years-old (Grant is 25-years-old), there’es not much incentive for the team to bring back Craig if effect the minutes of Porter.

Nonetheless, whether it’s Grant or Craig whose minutes have to be sacrificed, the time is now for Denver to go all-in on MPJ’s potential.

He’s a bonafide scorer who has star potential and could be a key to the Nuggets fully realizing their potential as a championship contender.

Home/Nuggets News