Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. became just the 3rd novice given that 2000 to post consecutive 30-point double-doubles however it was Nikola Jokic who left Gregg Popovich feeling like he had actually just faced a Hall of Famer.
” Porter is a fine young skill,” the San Antonio Spurs coach stated. “And Jokic, hes like a reincarnation of Larry Bird. He does whatever. Hes incredible. They were great.”
After taking off for a career-high 37 points and 12 rebounds on Monday, Porter Jr. remained red hot with 30 points and a career-high 15 rebounds to lift Denver to a 132-126 win over the Spurs.
2 RelatedMeanwhile, Jokic wowed Popovich after the All-Star center had 25 points, 11 assists and four rebounds– 3 beginning the offensive glass. He also buried all 3 of his 3-pointers in the third quarter to assist the Nuggets (45-23) relocate to within half a game behind the LA Clippers for the 2nd seed in the West regardless of playing without beginners Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Will Barton.
” Theyve never ever seen anything like that,” Popovich stated of his younger gamers trying to protect Jokic. “Hes stepping out and making 3s. Hes rebounding the ball, there need to be an NBA guideline, you cant tap it to yourself. Hes Moses Malone. You understand, hes down there and he jumps about a quarter of an inch, then he taps it 2 or three times and then he gets it and he lays it back in.
” Its not just luck. He does it all the time. He is fantastic on the board, hes obviously possibly the very best big guy passer in the league. If not, then close to it. Hes a quite special player.”
Today, Porter Jr. has displayed the guarantee of a prospect that was as soon as hyped as a prospective No. 1 overall pick had he been healthy. The No. 14 total pick in the 2018 draft remained all of last season to recover from back surgical treatment. However in 2 consecutive games with three beginners out, Porter Jr. has actually revealed what he can do with a bigger function.
Porter Jr. drilled his first three triples and had 10 points in his very first 10 minutes. Providing the pass-first Jokic with a big athletic target, the 6-10 Porter Jr. finished strong, striking four-of-five shots, consisting of 2 3-pointers, to score 12 points in the final 10:47.
After having 11 points and one rebound in the Nuggets lackluster 125-105 loss to the Miami Heat last Saturday, Porter Jr. texted Denver coach Michael Malone three times informing him that he will play much better and asking the coach to support him.
He has actually since reacted by signing up with Trae Young and Blake Griffin as the only novices given that 2000 with successive 30-point double-doubles.
” I think the biggest challenge for any young, talented gamer like Michael Porter is consistency,” Malone stated. Michael Porter, along with everyone else on our lineup and training staff did not do a great job in the Miami game … People are reporting that I singled Michael Porter out.
Porter Jr. stated he is simply attempting to bring consistent energy every game and learn how to enter a constant regimen.
” For me, it is all about energy,” Porter Jr. stated. “So I understood even if tonight, I am not going to shoot the ball incredible every night. However every night I can get on the glass, I can be active, I can be back on defense. That is something I got to bring each and every single video game. And when I do that, it simply opens up the rest of my video game.”
” Obviously not every video game is going to be a 30-point, 15-rebound video game,” Porter Jr. later on included. “Especially with all the talent that we have on this team.”
After the game, Malone talked for a number of minutes prior to unexpectedly ending his session with press reporters after raving about Porter Jr.s potential and ability to shoot, protect and rebound.
“The funny thing is, I thought about this today considering Michael Porter,” Malone said. “Michael Porter was not picked to play in the Rising Stars game this year.
“Are you joke me?” Malone asked before walking away.
” Porter is a great young skill,” the San Antonio Spurs coach stated. In 2 successive video games with 3 beginners out, Porter Jr. has actually revealed what he can do with a bigger function.
” I think the greatest difficulty for any young, gifted player like Michael Porter is consistency,” Malone said. Michael Porter, along with everyone else on our roster and coaching personnel did not do an excellent task in the Miami video game … People are reporting that I singled Michael Porter out.” For me, it is all about energy,” Porter Jr. said.
