All it took was one dazzling 25-second sequence for Nuggets fans to see the future.
Jr. was already working on a masterpiece as far as NBA starting debuts go. When he went to work, dipping in front of and behind the 3-point line, with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter Sunday night against Sacramento’s 6-foot-10 center Richaun Holmes, he was sitting on 14 points, a handful of offensive rebounds and just one missed shot.
But when Porter gathered from the left wing, side-stepping left to create a window, Nuggets fans had to pinch themselves at the ease with which he buried a 3-pointer despite intense pressure.
If that bucket wasn’t enough, he came down on the next possession and hammered home a missed layup that helped the Nuggets secure the 120-115 win over the Kings. After the ball hung on the rim a split-second longer than he anticipated, Porter had to recalibrate his dunk in real time.
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Porter finished with a career-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting, with six rebounds and an assist in 26 minutes. His sterling debut overshadowed what was almost another fourth-quarter meltdown.
“I just figured, with the matchup, Harrison Barnes, what are we waiting for?” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Michael Porter is a huge part of our future. Tonight was a great opportunity to look into that future and get a sneak peek of whatap ahead.”
Porter only started because of a last-second decision to rest shooting guard , who was out with a shin injury. It wasn’t until just before tip that Porter got word he’d earn his first professional start.
Before Sunday, Porter’s last start came on Nov. 10, 2017, when he made his college debut at Missouri. That was before either one of his back surgeries which slowed his promising career.
Over that time, he’s learned to be patient and accept the reality of his situation.
“I get down a lot, just day-to-day, itap tough sometimes, going through the injuries that I’ve gone through, (my parents) always tell me you’re going to be thankful for this in the long run, itap going to make you a stronger person and a better player,” Porter said in the postgame locker room while his teammates needled him over the attention he was commanding.
Outside of Porter, perhaps no one understands his struggle more than Malone. He saw firsthand the toll last year’s rehab took on him and then how devastated Porter was when his Summer League debut was delayed after a knee sprain. And now healthy as he headed into the season, it was Malone who had to play the heavy and limit his minutes due to an abundance of small forwards on the roster.
“I think in the long run, and I hope one day, Michael, when he’s old and gray, which is a long time from now, will look back and say, ‘You know what, I’m glad it wasn’t easy,’” Malone said. “I love the fact that Michael, who’s been the best player in his class for so many years, humble pie, he hasn’t taken it personally, he hasn’t pouted, he hasn’t felt sorry for himself. He’s grown up, he’s being a man, and thatap why he can go out there and take advantage of the situation.”
Porter spoke with reporters prior to tipoff, speaking candidly well before he knew he was going to earn his first career start. What he said was almost a premonition.
“It’s just a matter of getting out there and just playing,” he said. “Itap just a matter of me getting comfortable, the game slowing down and just realizing where I need to be. My brain is reacting quicker. I’m not having to think as much.”
Thatap at least the case on offense, where Porter looks in his element and Malone claims the game comes “too easy for him.” But in order for Porter to factor into what the Nuggets are building — a sustained championship contender — he’s under no false assumption what will keep him in Malone’s good graces.
“(Defense) is definitely the area I’m focusing on,” he said. “Thatap how you stay on the floor is on the defensive side with coach Malone. So, if I want to get buckets, I gotta play defense first.”
