LACK OF RESPECT amongst Suns, Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. responds to Denver Nuggets getting overshadowed in the West with a “chip on the shoulder”
Porter Jr. on Nuggets’ underdog status in the West
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Denver Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr. (Via Getty Images)
The Denver Nuggets have been one of the most consistent and successful teams in the NBA for the past few seasons. However, the recognition and respect they deserve from the media and the fans stands faulty. Nuggets are often overshadowed by other teams in the Western Conference, such as the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, considered the favorites to win the title.
Before Game 1 of the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals against the Suns, Charles Barkley asked Michael Porter Jr. how he and his teammates feel about the lack of respect they receive.
To this, Michael Porter Jr. replied, “I wouldn’t say we talk about lack of respect; we know how it is at this point, but I think it’s definitely motivating. We know how good we are, we know how good we play together. So I think it’s just about worrying about us not worrying about the noise and social media things like that, so we kinda, in a way we appreciate it, it just gives us a chip on our shoulder a little bit, but we don’t try to pay attention too much.”
Porter Jr. has been having a breakout season, averaging 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 48.7% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc. He has formed a formidable trio with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, who are both having MVP-caliber seasons.
Denver Nuggets cruise past Timberwolves in the first round
The Nuggets proved their worth in the first round of the playoffs, as they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. The Nuggets won the first three games by comfortable margins before losing a close one in overtime in Game 4. They sealed the series with a nail-biting three-point win in Game 5 at home, thanks to Murray’s 35 points and Jokic’s triple-double.
The Nuggets were able to limit Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, who make the list of Timberwolves’ best players. Towns averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game, while Edwards averaged 21 points and six rebounds per game. However, they both shot below 40% from the field and struggled with turnovers and fouls.
The Nuggets also got contributions from their role players, such as Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Gordon was a defensive force with a contribution of 14 points in Game 5. Brown was a spark off the bench who averaged 10 points and five rebounds per game. And Caldwell-Pope emerged as a reliable shooter who made ten three-pointers in the series.
The Nuggets are now looking forward to facing the Suns in the second round, who also won their series against the Los Angeles Clippers in five games. The Suns have been one of the best teams in the league this season, led by Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker. The Nuggets will have to play their best basketball to beat them and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in franchise history.
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Ankush Singh
(616 Articles Published)