Young core of Cleveland Cavaliers stepping up in all the right ways
By Tony Pesta
Kevin Porter Jr.
The rookie has not had the best start to his NBA career, but Kevin Porter Jr. is showing promise.
KPJ has earned consistent minutes off the bench, despite averaging just 4.8 points on a horrendous overall 6-for-23 shooting from the field. Though his shooting has been rough, his impact is undeniable.
Porter has shown a raw ability to break down defenders and get into the paint. Here, he has often been stifled by help defenders, leading to poor shots that frequently get blocked. However, the fact that he is able to get into the paint so easily is a good sign.
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As he grows as a finisher and passer, Porter’s ability to penetrate the defense will eventually pay off. His hesitation dribble and dunk versus the Chicago Bulls energized the crowd and helped the Cleveland Cavaliers emerge victorious.
On the defensive end, Porter has held his own. His size and athleticism make him capable of switching onto multiple positions, offering a sense of versatility to the Cavaliers defense.
Consistency is an issue so far for Porter. However, this is something that we knew about him before the season began. All we should focus on at the moment is the brief flashes he has shown. Hopefully, Porter will put it all together at some point this year.