Denver Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. entered Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers with a fair amount of scrutiny around him due to controversial post-game comments that question the Nuggets’ strategy in Game 4.
That control also extended to Race 5, in which Porter stayed three-quarters zero and seemed on track for the weepy end of his rookie season. And then the Nuggets launched their stunning comeback, with Porter making some great plays along the way.
Michael Porter Jr. comes to life
Porter’s first big play came during the Nuggets ‘big wave, with an alley-oop to Mason Plumlee to cut the Clippers’ lead by two points.
Several minutes later, Porter iced a triple to extend the Nuggets’ lead to five points after the Clippers had launched a counter-comeback.
And then there was this incredible trait from a player widely seen as a defensive responsibility, with Porter blocking the Clippers center Ivica Zubac then throwing a massive defensive rebound.
Porter ended the match with four free throws taken in the final 30 seconds, ensuring that there would be at least one Game 6 in the Western Conference semi-finals. Porter finished the match with just seven points, but he was clearly a determining factor throughout the course. Just as he seemed to believe he could be in Race 4.
Why so many people have criticized Michael Porter Jr.
After a match 4 in which he saw few touches in the second half despite 15 points in the first half, Porter said the Nuggets had to get the ball into the hands of other players besides stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray:
“I mean, it really depends on the game calls, it really depends on the coaches, who they want to put the ball in whose hands. We kept going to Jokic and ‘Mal, and they are two great players, you never can But I just think to beat that team, we have to get more players involved, we have to move the ball a little bit better, we can’t be predictable against that team.
“If I’m going to be out there playing for several minutes, I think I should express that (concern). I’ll probably talk to the coaches, tell them what I see standing out there on the floor. Just letting them know,” Look, they know what we’re doing. ” Like, we have to swing the ball. We have a lot of players who can play basketball and score. We have to involve other guys. “
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Those comments were quite something coming from a rookie, and received criticism Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and others. “data-reactid =” 37 “> Those comments were something that came from a beginner, and received criticism Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and others.
Michael Malone didn’t seem happy with Porter
Two days later, Nuggets manager Michael Malone was questioned about Porter’s comments. His answer: keep those internal conversations.
Malone:
“Obviously, during the playoffs, the last thing you want is any kind of distraction and if those frustrations are there for Michael or anyone, it’s much better to keep those conversations inside, in the locker room and between us, and that was it. . “
That tune changed a bit after Game 5, with Malone praising Porter’s contributions on both ends of the pitch.
Malone: “Michael Porter Jr has faith in himself and we have faith in him. That 3, the defense was huge. He’s a rookie, he still has a lot of room for improvement but the progress he’s made in defense of the Jazz series is exceptional. #NBA
– Davide Chinellato (@dchinellato) 12 September 2020
Porter’s chance to continue that race will come in Race 6 on Sunday.
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