Michael Porter Jr. Has been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season. After he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets from the Denver Nuggets, many people saw Porter getting a bigger role. Those were the expectations, but it appears that he has surpassed them with all of his performances this season.
Porter is averaging 25.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, which are all career highs. Despite playing a much more featured role, Porter has remained efficient as well, shooting a 49.6% clip from the field and 41% from three-point range. It has made him one of the best players in the Eastern Conference, rightfully earning praise from around the NBA.
Porter has received superb praise from Draymond Green
As one of the greatest defenders of his generation, Draymond Green knows when a player is performing at the highest level. He sees that with Porter at the moment, as he is not only scoring well, but he is also contributing in other areas.
Most people know that Porter is a score-first player, but his uptick in assists this season has shown his versatility. It is not the high-level playmaking like Luka Doncic or Nikola Jokic, but Porter has shown that he can be a player who thrives in any system, not just the Nuggets' one. That has also led to many trade rumors involving Porter because of his plug-and-play ability.
More: Proposed trade sees Nets' Michael Porter Jr. Land with Warriors
In the recent game between the Golden State Warriors and the Nets, Green saw up close that Porter is playing extremely well. The former Nuggets forward had 27 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while getting three steals. It was a well-rounded performance that would impress anyone.
Green himself was pleased to see Porter performing like that, considering he was mostly a role player in Denver. It is a sign of personal growth and motivation, as Porter continues to stand out.
"It's different. He didn't have as much freedom in Denver. He didn't have the ball in his hands. He's showing that he's the player that everybody thought or knew he was coming out of college. He's finally getting to show that," Green said after the Warriors' win over the Nets.
Green was correct in pointing out Porter's reputation in college and high school. He was the best player in the country heading into his freshman year at Missouri, and he was impressive throughout his time playing. Unfortunately, a back injury led him to fall in the 2017 NBA Draft, but the Nuggets managed to scoop him up.
Throughout his career, he has dealt with injuries, including a back issue flaring up from time to time. Fortunately for Porter, he appears to be getting past all those troubles, and he is finally returning to the level he was at before his NBA career. Green appreciates that, and the rest of the NBA is also aware of his shift.
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