In a guest appearance on the ‘Off Guard” podcast with Austin Rivers, Nuggets swingman Michael Porter Jr. gave a shocking statement on life in the NBA. Porter Jr. alleges that while he loves the game, his NBA career (and the money that comes with it) often makes it hard to enjoy the lifestyle.
“I would have played this game for free as long as I could eat,” said Porter Jr. “I loved it… The money sometimes makes it a little bit harder to enjoy the game because with a max contract comes a lot of expectations on consistency, oh you’re supposed to be an All-Star, you’re supposed to be this, that…”
As part of the best basketball league on the planet, NBA players carry an enormous weight on their shoulders. Every day, they have to face the pressure of playing well and living up to expectations in order to avoid scrutiny from their teams, the media, and the fans.
Becoming an NBA player is the greatest achievement for an aspiring athlete but it can take some time to get used to life under the spotlight. For players who earn big contracts, the pressure to play well is even more substantial, and failure to deliver can result in a miserable experience.
For Michael Porter Jr., he may not be the main star of the Nuggets but he’s certainly facing pressure going into next season. The 26-year-old swingman was drafted 14th overall in 2018. Despite initial health concerns, Porter Jr. managed to exceed expectations in his first few seasons to earn a massive five-year, $179.3 million contract.
Ever since re-signing, Porter Jr. has served as a reliable third scoring option behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Last season, in 81 games, he averaged 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 48.4% shooting. When the Nuggets won the championship in 2023, the young swingman was huge for his team and came through for them even in high-stakes situations.
Going forward, Porter Jr. will need to keep improving for the Nuggets to have a chance. With new challengers in the West, including the Mavericks, Timberwolves, Thunder, and Suns, the path to victory will be harder than ever in the West but the Nuggets expect to compete with the best given what they’ve already accomplished.
So far, Porter Jr. has handled the pressure just fine but things could turn ugly if he doesn’t play well next season. As desperation increases among the fans, people will look to Porter Jr. to help save the Nuggets and they will judge him accordingly if he doesn’t step up.
Unfortunately, it just comes with the territory of being a professional athlete. In exchange for riches and fortune, players must subject themselves to constant pressure and even ridicule if they hit a cold streak. Some take it better than others but for MPJ, it’s something that robs his love of the sport and inhibits his desire to suit up for every game and practice. Many players across the league probably feel a similar way but may be too nervous or scared to admit it.
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