Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. has the potential to be one of the best shooters in the league in the upcoming season. With utmost confidence in himself, the forward already considers himself on par with the greats, stating that only Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry is better than him in terms of pure shooting ability.
While speaking on his recent Twitch livestream, he claimed:
“Stephen Curry. That’s the only one I’m giving like a clear ‘elite, can shoot better than me.’ There’s dudes that are on the same level. I think Klay Thompson. KD, I think… If I got in the gym, like Duncan Robinson, he probably can shoot with me. You know, Trae Young, Dame… But I think Steph is the only one that’s clearly a better shooter.”
Curry has cemented his legacy as the greatest shooter the league has ever seen. Having set the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA history, the Warriors guard is truly in a realm of his own.
With the three-point shot becoming a more regularly used weapon in a player’s offensive arsenal, the league has witnessed the rise of great shooters. Some of the names mentioned by the Nets forward certainly deserve attention.
While players such as Damian Lillard, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant are part of an older generation, the up-and-coming talent is impressive in its own way. In this regard, Porter Jr. also carves out a special place for himself.
During his stint with the Denver Nuggets, Porter Jr. established himself as a sharpshooter. Early in his career, the forward showcased a distinct lack of hesitation when shooting highly contested shots from deep. Given his innate inclination to score, he already showcased some of the traits necessary to be not only a great shooter but a star.
With the Nuggets, Porter Jr.’s opportunities were limited. Although his role on the roster was crucial, the forward was restricted to being a spot-up shooter and moving without the ball. These restrictions were eventually acknowledged by the 27-year-old, who claimed he plateaued in Denver after he was traded to Brooklyn.
Moving to the Nets could be a refreshing change of pace for the forward. On the verge of entering his prime, Porter Jr. will be the first option on offense for the first time in his career.
With the opportunity to take over and control the flow of offense, the forward could shine brighter than ever, potentially even emerging as an All-Star candidate in the East.
As some sources even claim he could contend for the scoring title, what is certain is that his averages of 18.2 points and 7.0 rebounds on 50.4% shooting from the field and 39.5% from three-point range could see a notable uptick.
