With Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, and Will Barton sidelined again, Michael Porter Jr. delivered a career-high 37 points in a Nuggets win on Monday, as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN details. Porter had told head coach Michael Malone he was determined to step up after an underwhelming showing on Saturday vs. Miami.
“Especially with Jamal, Gary and Will out, I got to be a guy that steps up and kind of takes on more of a role,” Porter added. “I told (Malone) that I understand that and that it wouldn’t happen again.”
While the Nuggets will need healthy and productive versions of Murray, Harris, and Barton to maximize their potential postseason upside, the opportunity to increase Porter’s role and confidence is a silver lining of the team’s current situation. The young forward could be one of Denver’s X-factors in the playoffs.
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- The Trail Blazers have a pair of stars – Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum – in their backcourt and their frontcourt has been fortified by the return of Jusuf Nurkic and fellow big man Zach Collins. However, the wing has been an area of concern for the team all season, especially with Rodney Hood sidelined due to a torn Achilles. Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian takes a look at how emerging youngster Gary Trent Jr. – a restricted free agent in 2021 – is filling that void this summer.
- In and out of the Thunder‘s rotation over the course of the 2019/20 season, Hamidou Diallo has reclaimed a key role off the bench, writes Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Diallo – who has a minimum-salary team option for 2020/21 – had nine points in Oklahoma City’s Saturday win over Utah, then was a +19 on Monday in a game the Thunder lost by eight points.
- Dutch big man Henk Norel announced his retirement this week due to ongoing knee issues, as relayed by Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Norel never played in the NBA, but was selected 47th overall in the 2009 draft by the Timberwolves, who still hold his NBA rights.
MPJ for All-Star next season!!!
He could really be that offensive weapon that drives Denver to the promised land. The Nuggets have so many great defenders but lack scoring upside beyond Jokic and Murray. He could really be a driving force as a dangerous tertiary option off the bench
Not likely, if he played for a team in the east then it would be a distinct possibility since every half-decent player makes the All-Star Game in the lesser conference. But not in the West.
Because Porter can’t continue to improve? He’s just started to reach his potential and has plenty of room to grow. Give him some time before writing him off as “half-decent.” I don’t recall Harden immediately lighting up the league upon entry…
No more possibility of NOREL !!
What a huge blow to the future championship aspirations of the Minnesota Timberpuppies.
And yet another wasted draft choice in the history of an organization that has excelled at making poor draft choices. Of course when your first ever draft choice was…..
POOH !!
What else could be expected?
Even if the puppies don’t screw themselves with terrible picking , the NBA puts the screws to them almost 75% of the time by going backwards from their slot in the non rigged “ping pong draw”. Amazing how one franchise can go backwards 75% of the time …stay the same 20% and move up 5% of time.
Gary Trent Jr just shoots 3s but he is handling things & improving.
He probably has more potential the lauded Anfernee Simons due to durabilty. (That’s not a consensus)
Porter could be starting to pay off. He looked good. Hope he stays healthy. He’s always had real talent. Denver is in position to move up the west ladder. This team could be making their next step now. Lot of talent on this team.
But you you need to have star players to really compete in the West.
Pardon my stutter
The Nuggets with Jokic and Murray on the max plus Harris 18mil Barton 10+mil and now Grant who will likely get 10+mil aswell. That’s doesn’t leave much money for Bol Bol or MPJ when their contract need updating. I would not be surprised to see a big trade in the future to make the Nuggets reach the next level.
I know it’s a stretch bit I think Jokic and MPJ have the most potential in terms of working together to win. With that said Murray who just signed the max will next season get almost 30mil per year for like 5 years.
How about Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and a protected first for Donovan Mitchell (sign and trade) and Joe Ingles.
Mitchell’s deal needs an upgrade and with his huge fall out with Rudy Gobert there were plenty of rumours of a trade being made. I would be surprised to also see a trade from the Jazz.
Mitchell MPJ Jokic would be a great young trio which would be near impossible to stop. Jokic one of the leagues best passers, a triple double machine. MPJ the free scoring forward and Mitchell the two way player who can be a leader.
Plus role players Will Barton, Joe Ingles, Jeremi Grant and Bol Bol.
That’s a tough team.
Mitchell is the young DWade, MPJ is the young KD and Joker is his own beast.
Utah says no. They may want to trade those two farther away too, if they do that.
Denver does need to get batter at the 2G.