While he was preparing for the playoffs and the first round against the Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. had a difficult week. On the one hand, his brother Jontay was banned for life by the NBA for having tampered with his performances and thus trying to validate sports bets. On the other hand, the trial of his brother Coban resulted in a six-year prison sentence for causing a car accident in which a female driver died.
How did he experience this very, very morally complicated week? “I tried to sort things out. Bad and sad things have happened to some of my brothers. But I have 15 or 16 other brothers here, so I knew I had to be there for them, do my job and try to prepare.”, entrusts Michael Porter Jr.
The Denver player therefore received the support of his teammates. “They all told me they had my back if needed. That they understand my absence from training and support me, that’s huge for me.”he assures, after having attended his brother's trial and missing training.
“ That's why basketball is so wonderful: you don't think about anything other than what you're doing on the court.”
Author of 19 points and 8 rebounds in Game 1 against Los Angeles, the 2023 champion managed to have a good match despite the circumstances.
“It’s hard to live with, but I think that, on the floor, we no longer think about it. That's why basketball is so wonderful: you don't think about anything other than what you're doing on the court.” explains Nikola Jokic. “Before and after, things get to you, but we are there for him. Family above all, but we are a bit of a family too. I hope he can find inner peace and be mentally well. »
“We are human, we carry our emotions and everything else onto the pitch but, mentally, I am strong. I've seen a lot of it during my career, so it's another episode I have to deal with.”concludes Michael Porter Jr.
| Michael Porter, Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 55 | 16 | 50.9 | 42.2 | 83.3 | 1.2 | 3.5 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 9.3 |
| 2020-21 | DEN | 61 | 31 | 54.2 | 44.5 | 79.1 | 1.5 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | DEN | 9 | 30 | 35.9 | 20.8 | 55.6 | 1.0 | 5.6 | 6.6 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 9.9 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 62 | 29 | 48.7 | 41.4 | 80.0 | 1.0 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 17.4 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 81 | 32 | 48.4 | 39.7 | 83.6 | 1.3 | 5.7 | 7.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 16.7 |
| Total | 268 | 28 | 49.9 | 41.0 | 80.7 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 15.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
