Michael Porter Jr. Finds Support in His Arrival in Brooklyn
Player Michael Porter Jr. is counting on a familiar face to ease his transition from Denver to Brooklyn. The 6-foot-10-inch forward felt overwhelmed by the demands of playing in New York during the Nuggets’ annual visits to face the city’s two NBA teams. However, his reunion with Nets coach Jordi Fernández, a former Nuggets assistant, has facilitated the 27-year-old shooter’s adaptation to the Big Apple.The Nets acquired Porter and a 2032 first-round pick in exchange for forward Cam Johnson in July, and they are already planning to make him a focal point of a team that will feature five rookies selected in the first round of the NBA draft. Porter was third in scoring in Denver last season, behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, averaging 18.2 points on 50.4% field goal shooting and 39.5% from the 3-point line.That has been important for me. Just coming to a new city and feeling a little overwhelmed, having a head coach that I work with every day, someone like Jordi.
Michael Porter Jr.
The Brooklyn newcomer recalled improving his offensive game while playing in the summer when Jokic and Murray weren’t on the court, and saw how he could thrive in a leading role with the Nets. He is also willing to share the spotlight with Cam Thomas, who led Brooklyn with 24 points per game, but was limited to 25 games last season due to a left hamstring injury. As a restricted free agent, the 6-foot-4 guard and his agent were unable to secure the long-term contract they were seeking and settled for a one-year qualifying offer of $6 million.He’s an elite shooter… a great rebounder and a great cutter. The good thing is that I have a previous relationship with him, and that makes it a little easier for me. But I’m going to ask him to do things he’s never done before, and for those reasons I think he’s ready for the challenge.
Jordi Fernández, Nets Coach
Nets general manager Sean Marks was impressed with Thomas’s offseason work ethic as the team looks to rebound after finishing with a 26-56 record and missing the postseason for the second straight year.He’s a guy who has been severely underestimated in his ability to carry a team on his shoulders and score the ball. I experienced it in Denver when we played against the Nets. Cam, he’s hard to guard.
Michael Porter Jr.
He approached this in a very mature way. That’s part of the business, maybe the ugly part of the business when you can’t find common ground. But at the same time, he has developed, and the hours he has dedicated to the gym, not here but on his own, say a lot. So, it’s a Net. He knows it.
Sean Marks, General Manager of the Nets
