Denver Nuggets: Michael Porter Jr.’s keys to continued success

Let it fly

Porter looked tentative in Saturday’s loss to the Miami Heat, and the difference between this game and Monday’s monster performance was night-and-day. An aggressive Porter has proven a highly effective player, and this should be his mindset going forward, especially on a team that lacks shooting and wing scoring.

His 2019-20 shooting numbers are among the team’s finest, as his 50.3 percent from the field ranks third-best on the team, and his 42.2 percent 3-point shooting checks in at second-best.

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Porter’s shot-selection has been stellar, as his percentages clearly state, even if some attempts appear tough at first glance. No one wants wild shots from a rookie, but this is far from his issue, as his level of efficiency warrants aggressive play.

The team looks stellar when Porter is an active attacker, and it’s rare for him to overshoot his welcome, due to his ability to convert at high percentages. Because of this natural efficiency knack, Porter must fire confidently without hesitation.

Defensive focus

Herein lies a less exciting point, but an important one nonetheless, as defense is a leading emphasis of Denver’s coaching staff. Malone is notoriously defensive-minded, and it’s often Denver’s hard-nosed, savvy defenders who find themselves in his rotation.

Porter’s defense had it’s notable attributes Monday, as he finished with a plus-25 +/- while accumulating one block and a steal. He showed a level of hustle defensively and altered several shots around the rim.

However, Porter surrendered multiple 3-pointers Monday, which is a fast way to upset Malone. It’s clear his defensive awareness still requires significant improvement and fixing this will give him larger chunks of court time.

When Porter is yanked, it’s almost-always for defensive issues, so this must be a priority going forward. If he studies film to improve awareness, hustles on the stopping end, and provides a rim-protecting impact, this should be enough to keep him on the floor.