Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. wasn’t part of the Nuggets‘ crunch-time lineup during Monday’s win over San Antonio, playing just 11 seconds in the final eight minutes of the game, per Mike Singer of The Denver Post (subscription required). However, after Denver pulled out a 115-109 win, Porter was focused on celebrating his teammates rather than bemoaning his lack of fourth-quarter playing time.
“Even if I’m not on the floor at the end of the game, we got a lot of good players, so I’m not gonna be selfish. Even though I want to be on the floor, it’s whatever coach thinks gives us the best chance to win. I would’ve rather been sitting on the bench and cheering my teammates on and win the game, than me be in the game and we lose,” Porter said, before adding with a smile: “Even though I don’t think we would’ve lost.”
Porter scored 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting on Monday and is on a maximum-salary contract, so he could have griped about being benched down the stretch. But with the Nuggets opting for defense over offense in the fourth quarter, head coach Michael Malone was pleased with how Porter handled the decision.
“That’s a big part of our culture,” Malone said. “Being selfless. Get over yourself, it’s not about you. It’s about the team. … Our players understand, you gotta sacrifice. If you want to be a great team, we all gotta check our egos at the door.”
Here’s more on the Nuggets:
- Mark Kiszla of The Denver Post makes the case that the Nuggets should move Bruce Brown into their starting five in place of Porter, noting that Brown has developed chemistry with Nikola Jokic and would improve the group defensively. Porter, meanwhile, would get a chance to be the go-to scoring option on the second unit, according to Kiszla, who argues that the young forward has the potential to be “the best sixth man on the planet.”
- Porter already makes the most sense as the starter to stagger with the second unit, according to Singer of The Denver Post, who observes that the forward meshes well with reserve guard Bones Hyland, with the two players sharing offensive responsibilities and Porter’s reliable outside shooting giving Hyland more room to attack defenses off the dribble.
- After exercising his player option this past summer to remain in Denver, forward Jeff Green has emerged as a respected veteran voice in the locker room, Singer writes for The Denver Post. “I speak up with what I see,” Green said. “I make sure it’s heard, and guys take it how they want to take it.”
Murray KCP Brown Gordon Jokic
Smith Bones MPJ Green Jordan
I think I’d rather see MPJ at the 4 and Gordon drop down. Jokic with 4 good shooters around him. Then on the second unit Bones chopping up defenders and Gordon rim running and filling the lanes.
Both could work well for the Nuggets. Think they do have a few to many young guys that can’t contribute to suns yet, which is hard for a team desperate to win.
Porter w second unit makes sense
Bones needs more minutes
If you watch the games that’s pretty much what’s happening. Michael is first to the bench and is then staggered with the reserves. Makes a refreshing change from Malone’s previous predilection for hockey subs.
This team is one of the most fun to watch in the league. Almost funny seeing Jokic cruise to near-triple double stat lines. You think he’s had an off game, but they win and he has 27 12 and 8 with a couple of steals.
Nuggets are playing great. Hyland, Murray, Porter taking the scoring load off of Jokic makes them a hard team to handle. A.Gordon’s play & pay are looking like a fair trade so far.
MPJ ain’t just a super star, he is a class act as well!