After a fairly good Game 1 with 14 points and 13 rebounds, Michael Porter Jr. suffered in the next two games of the Finals, compiling only 7 points in Game 2 and 3, at 3/15 shooting success.
Since the start of the Finals, MPJ has only managed 3 of his 19 shots attempted behind the 3-point line…
“I think a lot of people are way too quick to put other people down”replied Mike Malone. “Michael Porter isn’t taking shots at the moment, but we know he’s a great shooter. We know what he’s capable of… If he takes the right shots and we generate the right shots for him, I want him and KCP [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope], two guys who we know are better than they’ve shown in three games, keep shooting because it’s the only way they can get out of this bad patch. »
No question therefore of changing five major.
“We believe in Michael. He’s our starting winger. I have no doubt that he is going to have a great game that will help us win this championship.” continues Mike Malone.
Behind the speech, the coach has already adapted, reducing the playing time of its holder. From 43 to 26 then 21 minutes during the first three meetings of the series. It must be said that if Michael Porter Jr. does not succeed in his shots, his influence is reduced considerably, his defensive limits being able to be used by Miami.
Bruce Brown and Christian Braun cuts more useful
In Game 3, Mike Malone thus favored Bruce Brown and Christian Braun, with the clear instruction to abandon the 3-point line to cut as much as possible towards the circle. What MPJ does not do enough.
“I wouldn’t even say that I don’t have confidence in my shot, that I feel pressure, or anything like that.”yet assures Michael Porter Jr. “I’m just missing out, you know what I mean?” Sometimes the ball does not fit. I think a lot of shots were good, but I missed them. I know that my teammates have confidence in my shooting. I know my coaches trust me. I’m going to get there. »
The silver lining is that the Nuggets have reclaimed home-court advantage, despite its current struggles.
“It was a few difficult matches. But I think I was pretty good defensively. I always tried to go on the rebound when I was on the field. For me, shooting and attacking is natural. I can’t overemphasize a couple of tough shooting matches, although I would love to see the shots fall into it. Actually, I’m just glad the team won. I know there will be a few games in this series where the team will need me offensively. I look forward to trying to bounce back in this area as well. »
| Michael Porter, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 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 |
| Total | 187 | 26 | 50.6 | 41.7 | 79.7 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 15.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
