Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone says there were moments where Michael Porter Jr. was turning heads left and right at practice on Tuesday.
The Nuggets coach also admitted there were times where Porter looked rusty. After all, the youngster missed his entire rookie season recovering from his second back surgery, so the Nuggets know Porter is going to have an up-and-down season in 2019-20.
Michael Malone on Michael Porter Jr’s first practice: “There were moments when he looked, man that guy’s is really talented. And there were moments where he looks like he’s got a ways to go….I know this year is going to be a lot of ups and downs and we’re going to support him.” pic.twitter.com/m0KOLgeWx3
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 1, 2019
Porter has undergone two back surgeries — one in college and the other after the Nuggets drafted him with the 14th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.
When he was in high school, Porter was arguably the best player in the country and NBA execs pegged him as the No. 1 draft prospect for the 2018 Draft. Then the back surgery happened while Porter was at the University of Missouri and his draft stock dropped immensely.
Porter's agent, Mark Bartelstein, delivered detailed information to teams on Porter's back ahead of the 2018 NBA Draft. The medical report which Bartlestein gave teams caused major concern and that’s why Porter fell to the Nuggets.
There are some around the league who believe Denver may have gotten a steal in Porter. When he’s healthy, Porter could turn out to be the best scorer and shooter from the 2018 draft class. The Nuggets are hoping that's the case.
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