DENVER – All those smooth-looking long-distance jumpers Michael Porter Jr The visits were definitely a bonus for Denver.
It’s easy to forget how much of a risk it was early on for the Nuggets.
They rolled the dice as the 14th overall in the 2018 draft on a 6-foot-10 forward with an unstable running back to go with a formidable set of skills. He’s had three comebacks since college and basically missed two of his five NBA seasons, but he’s shown enough flashes of talent to get the maximum extension.
Without taking that gamble on Porter, the Nuggets might not be here as they start Thursday night’s NBA Finals against Miami. It’s become their X Factor – the third installment of the hard-to-contain trio that also includes Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
“It’s great to look back on the journey,” said Porter, who turns 25 on June 29. “Try not to spend too much time looking back now, just focus on getting that ring. But take a moment to look back. Only backwards.”
Flash back a few years: Porter was a senior at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle and learned from a coach who wasn’t just a coach. This was former NBA All-Star guard Brandon Roy — someone who was in the league and did the things Porter hoped to do.
“It really helped me take my game to the next level,” said Porter.
A senior recruit, he chose Missouri State. It was home, as Porter grew up in Columbia. His brother, Jontai, joined him in Missouri. His father was added to the staff after training at the University of Washington.
However, his time with the Tigers was cut short by his back ailment. Two minutes into his opening game in college, he was out. He later had a microdiscectomy to repair herniated discs but bounced back for the SEC championship—a loss to Georgia—and then the NCAA tournament, where the Tigers fell to Florida State.
Despite his back problems, the Nuggets selected him in a draft that included Deandre Ayton (No. 1), Luka Doncic (No. 3) and Tra Young (No. 5).
Porter missed his senior season in Denver after he had another back operation. The following year, he showed what he could do in the 2020 NBA bubble as the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2020-21, he averaged 19 regular season points over 61 games.
Last season, however, brought another roadblock for Porter and his back. After nine games, he was suspended for a third surgery.
On the sidelines with him was Murray, who was returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Watching Porter work in rehab made Murray appreciate Porter’s accomplishments in these playoffs even more.
Porter averages 14.6 points and eight rebounds through the playoffs, while also holding onto his points on the defensive floor end.
“He did an amazing job,” said Murray. “Just play a more complete game throughout the game.”
Porter was also dealing with serious family matters.
Earlier this year, younger brother Cuban, a University of Denver basketball player, was charged with felony vehicular homicide and vehicular assault stemming from a suspected drunk driving accident that killed a 42-year-old woman. Cuban Porter has a case conference and preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Denver. The third game is Wednesday in Miami.
Anytime Porter needs advice or feedback about his game, he calls his mentor, Roy.
“He definitely means the world to me,” said Porter, who signed a five-year contract in 2021 worth up to $207 million. “He was my coach in high school, so he sees how my game has developed since my injuries and other things.”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone saw Porter’s relentless confidence return steadily.
“When you’re not healthy and you can’t move around and do the things that you used to do, it makes it really hard to be confident in your game and what you can do,” said Malone. “He’s in a very good place now.”
And now, Porter hates being taken out of the games. He has been known to shoot assistant coach Ryan Saunders with a mean look when a sub takes his place.
“Like, I can’t believe you’re taking me out,” Malone recounted. “He’s been finishing a lot of games for us lately because he’s 6-10, he defends well and he recovers at a high level. He’s confident, he’s aggressive and he’s been a huge influence on this team.”
Porter keeps a gratitude journal. Just a few reminders he takes seriously: stay hungry. Continue to work. never give up. reflects.
“To come back here and be competitive in a playoff game, man, it feels great,” Porter said. “Especially considering everything I’ve been through.”
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