The Nuggets are dropping the ball by not playing Michael Porter Jr.
Oct 31, 2019, 6:14 AM
For 16 months, Nuggets fans have been hearing the hype about Michael Porter Jr. The forward out of Missouri who came to Denver via the 14th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft was going to be a star; that’s what everyone kept saying.
Had Porter Jr. not been injured in college, where he played in only two games as a freshman before declaring for the draft, he might have been the No. 1 overall pick. He possesses that kind of talent.
So it was a good gamble for the Nuggets to take him in the middle of the first round. Yes, they’d have to be patient, as he wasn’t ready to return to the court. But once he was healthy, he’d be a huge addition to the team.
Fans waited through all of last season, as the forward never donned a Denver uniform. When he was drafted, there were rumblings that Porter Jr. would be ready by Christmas or perhaps the All-Star break. It never came to fruition, as he missed the entire season.
This offseason, all eyes were on the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas, where Porter Jr. was set to make his debut as a Nugget. But he was a last-minute scratch due to another injury, forcing fans to wait a little longer.
Finally during the preseason, it happened. In the second half of their first exhibition game, Porter Jr. got off the bench and checked into a game. And he looked pretty darn good.
Averaging nine points per game during the tune-ups, the forward showed flashes of greatness. He possesses the traits of a scorer, able to knock down shots from the outside and get into the paint. Plus, he demonstrated some swagger, even talking a little trash to the Portland bench during his first-ever appearance.
So there was reason to believe he’d be a contributor this season. In fact, many thought Porter Jr. would be the key addition to a team that won 54 games last season.
But it hasn’t happened.
Through the Nuggets first four games, a stretch where they’ve gone 3-1, Michael Malone has yet to put Porter Jr. in the game. The head coach hasn’t been able to find a single minute for a player who many were predicting would earn the NBA’s Rookie of the Year honors this season.
That seems hard to believe. But it’s true.
Part of this is due to the fact that Denver has been in a bunch of close games. Road tilts at Portland and Sacramento were tight in the fourth quarter, as were home games against Phoenix and Dallas. So there wasn’t any “garbage time” to get Porter Jr. onto the court.
But frankly, the kid shouldn’t be playing in only mop-up duty. He needs to be a part of the rotation.
Instead, Malone remains committed to Will Barton as Denver’s starter at small forward. The veteran is averaging 14.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season.
But averages don’t really tell the story with Barton. He’s a streaky player, good for 25 one night and three points the next.
Behind Barton, Malone has used Torrey Craig and newcomer Jerami Grant. Both are seeing the floor because of their defensive abilities; neither is a go-to scorer.
These decisions by the head coach are the byproduct of an “old-school” mentality. He believes that a young player needs to earn minutes. Malone is much more comfortable giving playing time to veterans.
In the past, he’s done the same thing with Jamal Murray. During the point guard’s first year, Malone kept giving important minutes to Jameer Nelson instead of a player who would be a key part of the franchise’s future.
There’s nothing wrong with that approach, especially on a contending team. But it limits the Nuggets ceiling.
Last season, Denver finished with the No. 2 seed in the West and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals before being ousted by Portland. This year, they’re hoping to improve upon that showing.
Is the addition of Grant enough to do that? Would the scrappy forward have been the difference maker in Game 7 against the Trail Blazers?
That seems unlikely. Grant is a nice player, but he’s not a budding superstar. Simply adding him to the rotation doesn’t ensure a higher perch in the West; in fact, coming back to the pack is just as likely.
By adding a star, however, Denver could build upon their 54-win season. With another scorer in the mix, the Nuggets could hold off the Clippers, Lakers, Jazz and other teams in the conference who improved greatly during the offseason.
If Denver is going to compete for a title with their current core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris, they need to add firepower. Porter Jr. could be that player.
It might take some time to get him to that point, which could result in the Nuggets taking a step backwards before they take one forward. That’s okay.
Torrey Craig is a nice player, but he’s never going to be someone who carries Denver to key victories. Michael Porter Jr. could turn into that type of contributor.
That’s why he’s been hyped for more than a year. That’s what the Nuggets have been selling everyone since they drafted him.
So it’s time to see it.
