Far from the glitter of the duo Jamal Murray – Nikola Jokic or the excellent work of the shadow of Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. is nonetheless very valuable to the Nuggets this season and since the start of the playoffs. He is even the X factor of this team: because when he is on a good day, nothing can happen to Denver.
On a good day therefore, but also in good shape above all. Because it is the big black spot of his career so far. The winger has had three back surgeries in just five years which kept him out of his debut season and then limited him to 9 games in 2021/22.
“For many players, this style of operation is synonymous with the end of their career”he explains at The Ringer. “I had two and while I thought I had put that behind me, I have to do a third? I don’t know if a player so young has ever played after three back operations. I could not any more. The extra work the players do, which is already a lot, I have to do three times as much to be able to play. In summary, I have spent my life trying to stay healthy. »
The back problems of Michael Porter Jr. do not actually date from his arrival in the NBA, but from university. Big potential in high school, his physical alerts hampered the interest of certain franchises at the time of the Draft. But not Denver, which went for it with the 14th pick in 2018.
“It was not an easy decision”recalls Calvin Booth, Nuggets GM. “There were discussions between us before making this decision. I know Josh Kroenke (the franchise owner) was 100% okay. Tim Connelly (the president at the time) Also. Drafting Michael was a pivotal moment. »
He accepted his role as lieutenant
In addition to the physical aspect, which is obviously important, the big difference between the Michael Porter Jr. today and that of the beginning of his career is his much better involvement in defense and rebounding.
Michael Malone has often asked his player for more in this area and the latter has responded. With 8 average catches, he is even the Nuggets’ second rebounder in these playoffs, behind Nikola Jokic.
With his outside shooting, improving defense and rebounding, the winger has established himself as an essential cog in Denver’s success, as Andrew Wiggins did at Golden State, in the same areas, during the conquest of the title in 2022. Announced as a future star in his young years, he is ultimately a perfect lieutenant in a solid collective. With all the same a maximum salary…
“It is clearly a sacrifice”, he confides thus. “I think a lot of players have done the same in this team. Aaron Gordon was the first option in Orlando and he changed his style of play. Growing up, I always had the ball in my hands. But in any good team in the NBA, you need players who are ready to sacrifice themselves if you want to get to this stage. You have to find the mental balance between sacrifice and progression. »
| 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.
