The first round of All-Star fan voting results has been released, and the usual suspects are at the top. There are some notable omissions (Scottie Barnes?) and some eyebrow-raising inclusions, but nothing jumps out to Nuggets fans quite like seeing Michael Porter Jr. come in at 10th place in the Eastern Conference, sixth among frontcourt players.
MPJ was traded from Denver to Brooklyn in the offseason, and he has taken on a much bigger role with the Nets. He has risen to the occasion, showing out, averaging 25.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and shooting over 40% on three-pointers.
Mike has been a revelation in Brooklyn, and he has taken on a leadership role on a young, rebuilding squad. The Nets may not be close to contention, but they’re ahead of schedule and winning more games than anyone expected. MPJ is a big reason why.
Porter Jr. making ASG over Murray would be infuriating
But as good as Porter Jr. has been, he has had a runway to put up big stats on a team that isn’t vying for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Jamal Murray is having a career year, putting up better stats and efficiency than Mike despite a secondary role, and doing so on a team that is 22-9 in the superior Western Conference.
And still, Porter Jr. ranks 22nd in fan voting overall, while Murray comes in at 25th. This is just the first round of fan voting, and overall, not the most meaningful thing ever, but still, it’s eye-opening. MPJ never sniffed All-Star consideration in Denver, and now his first year in Brooklyn, he has a real case.
He’s helped by the fact that the Eastern Conference is weak, but perhaps Jamal may get an advantage due to being able to represent the International squad. Either way, the fact that both players are in consideration for their first All-Star appearance is wild for Nuggets fans to behold.
Hopefully, both players ultimately make it. It would be fun to see the two longtime Nuggets and former championship teammates perhaps squaring off. Add Jokic to the mix, and things could get even more fun.
At the same time, Nuggets fans have had to hear for years about how Jamal Murray has never made an All-Star Game and how Jokic has never played with an All-Star teammate. For fans to potentially have to see MPJ make it in a Nets uniform, possibly while a deserving Murray has to watch from home, would be a cruel twist of fate.