Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has opened up about his transition from the Denver Nuggets, explaining how a change of teams allowed him to prove that he could handle a bigger offensive role.
After spending seven years in Denver alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, Porter had become accustomed to playing a supporting role while the team’s two stars controlled much of the offense.
“When I was in Denver for seven years and you’re playing with Jamal, you’re playing with Joker, and those two guys are touching the ball every time down the floor making plays.”
Despite his established role with the Nuggets, Porter continued developing other aspects of his game during the offseason, preparing for the possibility of receiving greater offensive responsibilities elsewhere.
“I always worked out in the summertime on other things in case I wasn’t in that role anymore. But when you’re in a role for seven, eight years, you almost have to see it for yourself if you can be something else. So I knew I had a game. I knew when I got traded to Brooklyn, I’m in a different role. I’m going to be getting more shots.”
However, Porter admitted that believing in his abilities was different from proving them against opponents who were specifically focused on stopping him.
“But I had to kind of see it for myself. Like, okay, when teams put their best defender on me every night, and they’re telling them, ‘Don’t let him touch the ball,’ how can I overcome this? So the first game with Brooklyn, we played Charlotte. I didn’t play well. I think I had 14.”
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Porter quickly found his rhythm after that opening performance, delivering consecutive strong scoring displays against Cleveland and Atlanta.
“The second game we played Cleveland, I had 34. They had their best defender on me. Evan Mobley was switching on me. I was getting what I needed to get to. Next game after that, I had another 30-ball against Atlanta with Dyson Daniels all over me. And I’m like, okay, I’m not in Denver anymore.”
Those performances helped Porter gain confidence in his ability to produce offensively while facing increased defensive attention.
“I think that first good game I had with Brooklyn was a game changer for me, just in this new chapter of my NBA career, playing in a different role.”
