Once a risky pick, Michael Porter Jr. turns in big rewards for Nuggets

DENVER (AP) —All those smooth-looking, long-range jumpers Michael Porter Jr.hits have definitely been a reward for Denver.

Easy toforget just how much of a risk he was early on for the Nuggets.

They rolledthe dice at No. 14 in the 2018 draft on a 6-foot-10 forward with abalky back to go with a tremendous set of skills. He’s gone throughthree back procedures since college and missed basically two of hisfive NBA seasons, but still showed enough flashes of talent to earna max extension.

Withouttaking that gamble on Porter, theNuggetsmight not behere, starting their first NBA Finals onThursday night with a 104-93 win over Miami. He’s become their Xfactor — the third part of a hard-to-contain trio that alsoincludes Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Porter had 14 points and 12rebounds against the Heat.

“It’s justcool looking back on the journey,”said Porter,whoturns 25 on June 29. “You try not to spend too muchtime looking back right now, just stay focused on getting thisring. But you’ve got to take moments to just look back.”

Rewind a fewyears: Porter was a senior at Nathan Hale High School in Seattleand learning from a coach who wasn’t just a coach. This was formerNBA All-Star guard Brandon Roy — someone who had been in the leagueand done the things Porter was hoping to do.

“He reallyhelped me take my game to the next level,” Porter said.

A toprecruit, he chose Missouri. It was home, with Porter growing up inColumbia. His brother, Jontay, joined him at Missouri. Hisdadwas added to thestaffafter coaching at the University of Washington.

But his timewith the Tigers was cut short by his ailing back. Two minutes intohis inaugural college game, he went out. He later underwentmicrodiscectomysurgery to fix herniateddiscsbut made it back for the SEC Tournament — a loss toGeorgia — and then the NCAA Tournament, where the Tigers fell toFlorida State.

Despite hisback issues, the Nuggets selected him in a draft that includedDeandre Ayton (No. 1), Luka Doncic (No. 3) and Trae Young (No.5).

Porter missedhis first season in Denver after undergoing another back procedure.The following year, he showed what he could do in the 2020 NBAbubble when the Nuggets made it to the Western Conference finalsbefore losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2020-21, he averaged 19points in the regular season over 61 games.

Last season,though, brought another road block for Porter and his back. Afternine games, he was shut down for a third surgery.

On thesideline with him was Murray, who was coming back from a torn ACL.Watching Porter work in rehab made Murray appreciate theaccomplishments of Porter in these playoffs all the more.

Porter isaveraging 14.6 points and 8.3 rebounds through the playoffs, whilealso holding his own on the defensive end of the floor. He had twoblocked shots against Miami.

“He’s doneamazing,” Murray said. “Just playing a more complete gamethroughout the game.”

Porter alsohas been dealing with serious family matters.

Earlier thisyear, younger brother Coban, abasketball player at theUniversity of Denver,was charged withfelonycounts of vehicular homicide and vehicularassaultstemming from a suspected drunken-driving crash that killed a42-year-old woman. Coban Porter has a status conference and apreliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Denver. Game 3 isWednesday in Miami.

AnytimePorter needs advice or feedback on his game, he rings up his mentorRoy.

“Hedefinitely means the world to me,” said Porter, who signed afive-year deal in 2021 worth up to$207million. “He was my coach in high school, so he sees kind ofhow my game has evolved since my injuries and things.”

Nuggets coachMichael Malone has seen Porter’s unabashed confidence steadilyreturning.

“When you’renot healthy and you can’t move and do the things that you’reaccustomed to doing, that really makes it hard to go out there andbe confident in your game and what you’re able to do,” Malone said.“He’s in a very good place right now.”

And now,Porter loathes being taken out of games. He’s known to shootassistant coach Ryan Saunders a mean stare when a sub replaceshim.

“Like, ‘Ican’t believe you’re taking me out,’” Malone recounted. “He’sclosed a lot of games for us lately because he’s 6-10, he’sdefending well and he’s rebounding at a high level. He’s confident,he’s aggressive and he’s had a huge impact on this team.”

Porter keepsa gratefulness journal. Just little reminders he’s taken to heart:Stay hungry. Keep working. Never let up. Reflect.

“To get backhere and be competitive in a playoff series, man, it’s a greatfeeling,” Porter said. “Especially considering everything I’ve beenthrough.”