Nikola Jokic has a sore knee, but Nuggets coach Michael Malone is equally concerned about Michael Porter Jr.‘s slow start, according to Mike Singer of The Denver Post. Signed to a five-year max extension in late September, Porter is averaging just 11.5 PPG while shooting 34.6% from the field.
“We’ve got to get Michael Porter going,” Malone said. “He’s four games in, and I know that he’s capable of playing at a much higher level — from a shooting standpoint, his efficiency, his rebounding, his defense — so we’ve got to get more from Michael Porter.”
Jokic is questionable to play on Friday.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- The Jazz, particularly new owner Ryan Smith, are going out of their way to keep Donovan Mitchell happy, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report writes. Mitchell has voiced to Jazz officials his desire to see more Black men in the organization and it has added a number of them in recent hires. Mitchell is in the first year of a five-year, $163MM contract.
- There was a lot of speculation regarding Damian Lillard‘s future with the Trail Blazers during the offseason but he appears content now, Mark Medina of NBA.com writes. Lillard has become a strong believer in first-year coach Chauncey Billups, who led the Pistons to the 2004 championship. “I think it’ll just continue to get better,” Lillard said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for me to see something different and to learn. (Billups) knows the way to help myself and him, as a coach, to become a champion.”
- The Timberwolves are off to a 3-1 start despite shooting 42.6% from the field and averaging 16.3 turnovers per game. They’re still trying to strike the perfect balance, led by their Big Three of Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards, according to Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. “That is the balance when you give everybody as much freedom as we do,” coach Chris Finch said. “Kat, Ant, D-Lo, they have the license to break the offense, if you will, or be aggressive within it is probably a better way to put it. They can’t just always live off doing it with the first pass or first action and I think that’s where we’re living right now.”
Yesss more black men roarrrrrrrr. This is what’s keeping racism alive stupid comments like that. Not hey bring in great basketball players no it’s just bring more black guys in.
Dude who cares honestly, I’m white and I’m nowhere near a liberal but like who cares? Donovan Mitchell is an American who is excellent at what he is expected to be, if that’s his wish and the jazz ownership is cool with it, why would anyone give a s**t?
Parx you totally missed the point im making. I’m saying color of skin shouldn’t matter all, instead what should matter is your basketball iq. Why should someone’s color matter unless you are racist which you seem to be
Correct, the desire for more diversity is what keeps the racism alive. Too many whites in Utah? – who’d have known?
That’s an…ummm…interesting take. Blaming the person of color for racism. Bold strategy, Cotton. Does sexism still exist because female athletes keep talking about wanting equal pay?
Yea because saying bring more black men in and not bring more high iq basketball minds in is totally okay. What the hell is wrong with you people, too much trump I’m guessing
Do you actually think the most qualified candidates fill all these positions?
Are you saying blacks cannot be racist?
Absolutely not. People can be racist regardless of race. But the OP saying racism still exists because of non racist comments made by a person of color is pretty ignorant. That was the crux of my comment
Oh my god bro they integrated society get over it white tears everywhere on these comment sections I swear.
When slavery existed for half of your country’s age do you not think there’s a lot more process to go through?
I don’t know why I even answered this.
Slavery existed a lot longer than that. Slavery has been around the world since humans have existed. Slavery is not exclusive to one race in one country. There were far more slaves in the Caribbean and South America than there ever was in the Southern US. 5,000 years ago in Egypt the races were switched when it came to slavery.
Lots of things in the past were bad, but very few people alive today have experienced it. Let’s try and solve the problems of today without trying to fix the past all the time.
I said keeping it alive not this is what started racism
Yoyo Open your eyes you tool racism is very much alive in the world today
Gee, who would have thought that giving $172 million dollars to a guy that can’t stay healthy and has only played one good year of basketball since high school might have a downside?
Nuggets bet the farm on MPJ. Wolves/Finch are doing the same with the big-3 concept, but their goal is simply the playoffs, so it could work.
The NBA needs more white players. We need more diversity
He was talking about front office types. A bit weird when vast majority of players are of colour and vast majority of front office types are white.
Disparity, imbalance, emblematic of historic structures…
Maybe this is all over the head of the average Hoops Rumorers
It could have a lot more to do with moneyball. All the statistical analysis movement has led to a huge presence of Ivy League grads whereas less and less players even graduate anymore, thus reduced to a coaching career after their playing days are over. All the cap stuff is probably handled by lawyers.
They should work hard and if they’re really qualified they’ll get an opportunity ;)
The game is stacked against people of colour in America.
Just do a tiny bit of critical thinking/research.
Since you are obviously not from America…why do you care? You are likely from either the UK or Australia or Canada with the spelling of the word color. Aren’t there enough problems in your own country to deal with without worrying about the rest of the world?
Ah yes the old “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” line….
MPJ is totally underwhelming thus far. Funny hearing how exasperated Scott Hastings gets on the call… “Ohhhh Michael…”
Porter J for Simmons
It will cure what ails ya!
We need more women !
It’s not a big deal as long as they are qualified, yes. The Jazz organization have always drafted the best player available. The same goes for their front office hires. They haven’t historically cared for skin color. It’s all about who applied and who was the best amongst those choices.
For example, Ty Corbin was the best choice before Snyder for coach. We’ve had loads of black front office personnel, etc. Walt Perrin went to the Knicks, as another example.
As for Jazz fans, as long as the team produces a competitive product on the floor I doubt anyone really cares who is behind the wheel. I sure don’t. I only care about personalities matching. They’ve done a great job of fine-tuning that this past off-season.
Besides, anyone focusing on skin color as some sort of defect needs to grow up. Skin color should make zero difference to your lives. Personality conflicts are another matter entirely. Lol
Isn’t Mitchell focusing on skin color when he specifically wants more BLACK people ????
“They don’t care about skin color”
Yeah sounds like a solid plan for an organization known for being racist. And a state known for its racism.
Yes the most qualified should get the position but until the biases in us are gone (ones that have been created through years of systemic racism stemming from many many horrible things that have happened) then we will never be at that point. So until then we have to be thinking about race and making sure we having our workforces represent the people they serve. IE: Same percentages of your org similar to the race percentages of the US.
Like is that, that hard for you to understand and accept?
Equity is important. Diversity is vital to our success.
You clearly have no clue what you’re talking about. I’ve lived in many cities across the country. Salt Lake City isn’t racist, sorry. Some dumb fan getting headlines doesn’t equate to being a racist state.
Also, some front office guy from Texas, who got removed, also doesn’t make the team racist. In fact, the Millers have always come out against it. The same for new ownership. Get over this false narrative. The Jazz have never been racist. Anyone who says otherwise are literally just trolls trying to get a rise from fans. Lol
I think what you’re saying is having different points of view equals success. Diversity can represent that formula. The struggle is finding that balance that works for the group you have, the personalities that work well together.
Forcing diversity for diversities’ sake can cause resentment. That resentment can fuel more extreme backlash. Recommended to be careful and find the right balance organically.