Here’s what Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. needs to improve on this offseason.
After a roller coaster of a rookie season, Michael Porter Jr. has proven that he’ll be a major factor in the Denver Nuggets’ ability to be perennial championship contenders. Blessed with a pure shooting stroke and great physical attributes, Porter showcased his potential in the NBA bubble in a way that few others would.
A terrific shooter and rebounder, Porter was named to the All-Bubble Second Team for a number of breakout performances but would lose his starting spot in the playoffs thanks to his defensive struggles. By the end of the Nuggets’ postseason run, Porter would improve his defensive technique, effort and awareness but was still less than stellar on that end. However, MPJ also needs to work on his off-ball movement, ball-handling and playmaking ability.
Pegged by many to be the third and youngest member of Denver’s Big Three, here is an offseason plan for Porter that would see him become the complete player he wants to be.
Defensive improvements
The issue with Porter’s defense is in part that he needs to use his size to his advantage more. Seeming to be more explosive vertically rather than laterally, MPJ is still 6’10,’ nearly 220 pounds and has a 7’0″ wingspan. Those physical tools should make it more difficult for ball-handlers to drive past him on the perimeter or for players to shoot over him anywhere on the court.
Whether it’s through Pilates, yoga, or some other method, Porter needs to work on stretching and loosening hips to improve his ability to change directions quickly. That’s his biggest weakness when he’s playing on-ball defense, as he’s often slow to turn his hips or change direction on rotations as quick as he would ideally.
Physically, Porter could also stand to get stronger. That way, when players try to drive past him or score over him inside, he’s able to knock them off balance and disrupt their rhythm. Adding strength would also aid him in getting through screens.
Mentally, Porter needs to study as much film and digest enough defensive schematics as possible, that way he’s at least faster to react to ball-movement. Ideally, MPJ would be able to be proactive and extensive study of his opposition’s tendencies would only make it easier for him to play both team and individual defense at a high level.
In the postseason, Porter allowed a defensive field goal percentage of 58.8, 11.0 percentage points higher than their percentage average.
Furthermore, on the 26 isolation plays where he was the defender this, opponents shot 12-19 (63.0%) from the field and scored 1.15 points per possession. On the 41 spot-up plays he defended this postseason, opponents shot 18-38 (47.0%) from the field and scored 1.32 points per possession.
Offensive improvements
Right now, Porter gets most of his offense from spot-up threes, pull-up threes and putbacks. He’s also shown himself to be adept in making acrobatic finishes when he’s around the rim and being dangerous in transition.
However, Porter’s optimal offensive skillset would see him improving his ball-handling so that’s he able to constantly create good shots for himself off-the-dribble. In addition, while Porter has shown flashes of being a solid passer and knowing when to make the right pass, his court vision could improve by learning how to make the skip pass. This will be important if Porter begins making passes out of the post.
Nonetheless, being able to take advantage of swarming defenses when he’s driving to the rim will increase his assist opportunities.
If Porter should get stronger, it makes sense for him to improve his low-post play. He already has the length and touch to take advantage of smaller players down low but he doesn’t have the footwork or low-post moves to take on anybody.
In 19 games, Porter had just 13 isolation plays in the postseason, shooting 5-12 (41.7%) from the field and scoring 1.15 points per possession. He had just 29 drives in the playoffs, shooting 7-12 from the field (58.3%) and 9-10 from the free-throw line.
Although he’s a great shooter, Porter had uncharacteristic misses from deep in the postseason. He made just 23-60 shots (38.3%) in his 69 spot-up opportunities in the playoffs, scoring 1.09 points per possession. This placed him in the 50th percentile. He’ll need to improve his consistency, getting as many shots up in the gym as possible and making sure his shooting mechanics never change.
Out of the 19 players to play at least 450 minutes this season, Porter was last with 16 total assists and 28 potential assists.
Intangible improvements
MPJ has already proven himself to be confident and dedicated to being the best player he can possibly be. He’s also shown a willingness to learn and be coached, as well as to be supportive of the team when he’s not getting his way.
Although his comments after Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals seemed to some to be evidence of an ego issue, they were definitely comments that broke an unspoken rule about what can be said to the media.
Considering his age and the free-thinking, outspoken nature he displays when talking about certain social matters, he’s much like a Kyrie Irving in that way. Asa result, those comments — which weren’t wrong in content but delivery — can be interpreted as a youthful mistake.
However, moving forward, Porter will need to show that he can be another leader for the team — if not by words, then by action. Being the first player in the gym and the last one out, never complaining to the media about his role and showing how devoted he is to the team’s championship hopes will do just the trick.
On the court, nobody should expect for Porter to throw his body around for loose balls or to try take charges like he’s Marcus Smart. Not because he doesn’t have the mental makeup for it but because after two back surgeries, the way Porter plays suggests a player who doesn’t want to risk landing the wrong way.
What MPJ can do though is always be dialed-in on both ends.