[jwplayer Zg3Q0LD9]
After starting the first three games of the playoffs, Denver Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. was moved to the bench in Game 4 on Sunday versus the Utah Jazz.
Porter has struggled defensively in the series and has often been targeted several times by the Jazz. The Nuggets are being outscored by 10.2 points per 100 possessions with Porter on the floor and head coach Michael Malone opted to make a change.
The change resulted in the Nuggets narrowly losing on Sunday, to fall down 3-1 in the series, but Malone said his team played much better than in the previous two games and thought they had a chance to win. He credited Porter afterward for handling the demotion like a professional.
For a rookie player in his first playoffs, I think Michael has been terrific. It’s a lot to ask a young man to go out there and play against a talented team like Utah. I brought him off the bench [in Game 4] and he handled it like a pro, like a seasoned pro. He didn’t pout. He stayed ready. He gave us good energy off the bench. Overall, since we have arrived here, and since he arrived here, which was much later than when we arrived here initially, I think he has been tremendous. We all understand that he is going to be a really important piece to this team moving forward.
Porter has proven to be a good scorer this season and projects to become even better on that end of the floor. However, it is clear that he will need to improve defensively in the future in order to play big-time minutes in the playoffs.
The Nuggets will likely keep Porter on the bench to start in Game 5 on Tuesday with their season on the line but the rookie will be ready whenever his number is called.
[lawrence-related id=21561,21419,21133]
[vertical-gallery id=14282]