A trade from the Denver Nuggets to the Brooklyn Nets has seen Michael Porter Jr. improving his overall play this season. Porter is playing some of the best basketball of his life with averages of 24.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game so far this season. However, controversy has followed Porter from his offseason trade to now due to some bold quotes.
Porter recently shared a story on Lonzo Ball’s podcast about the Nets stepping in to cool him down from having more viral quotes:
“To be on the internet for anything else other than basketball, I feel like that’s a summertime thing,” Porter Jr. said. “Even the organization, we just had conversations that they would appreciate it if I steered clear of certain topics. That’s why the WNBA thing is just a topic that’s kind of sensitive nowadays. I try to be just aware of that.”
The on-court play has improved Porter’s reputation after a poor postseason last year due to injury and an offseason of controversial headlines. Comments about gender involving the WNBA and many other polarizing subjects forced the Nets’ hand to step in.
Michael Porter Jr Upset WNBA Fans
The NBA working alongside the WNBA has seen the latter growing over the past few seasons. Names like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers entering the league added new star players to bring in fresh fans. The New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and Minnesota Lynx becoming dominant teams helped improve ratings over the last two years.
Porter has made comments that many fans felt disparaged the WNBA by claiming the worst NBA players playing with limitations could out-perform the best female players. This same interview featured Porter and Ball claiming they would have easily defeated WNBA stars during their teen years.
The Nets have a close relationship with the Liberty, since both teams share the Barclays Center venue and have the same ownership. Porter becoming an enemy of WNBA fans is a terrible look for him and the Nets. The Liberty holding more interest than the Nets and recently winning a WNBA Championship also makes Porter look worse.
What Is Michael Porter Jr’s Future
Brooklyn is desperately looking for talents to build the franchise around after losing Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. The rebuilding project started just a couple of years ago, but Porter is the brightest spot since then. Nets management could keep him long-term if this play continues.
However, a trade is very realistic due to Porter only having two seasons left on his contract and many teams looking to improve their chances at contending. Porter proved he could play in a limited role for the Nuggets with more corner shooting than the current play making he’s forced to do more on a weaker team.
Brooklyn badly wanting younger pieces and more draft picks could see Porter traded at the deadline or next offseason. Porter getting muzzled to shut down controversial quotes that don’t fly in the New York market isn’t the best sign for his future. Regardless, the great play will solve almost any problem that Porter’s mouth puts him in these days.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Michael Porter Jr Reveals Nets Stopped His Controversial Comments appeared first on Heavy Sports.