The Denver Nuggets are dealing with the fallout of an unsuccessful title defense campaign ending with a Game 7 loss at home in the second round. Michael Porter Jr. was a non-factor for Denver in the series and harshly criticized himself for failing his teammates, a notion that head coach Michael Malone has thrown water on, praising MPJ for his contributions to get out of the first round.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that I couldn’t disagree with [MPJ] more. I don’t want Michael Porter putting the series loss on him. We win together, we lose together. Michael is a huge part of our team. We do not beat the LA Lakers without Michael Porter’s stellar play, efficient play.”
Malone stressed the fact that the Nuggets failed as a team. Even though he appreciates Porter Jr.’s accountability for his poor performances, he knows everyone needs to share the blame for this series loss.
“We as a team had a tough series and did not shoot the ball well. I love the fact that Michael took initiative on that but blame can’t be placed on any individual. I just wanna make sure Michael is aware that I respect him for saying that but we know it wasn’t just on one person.”
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone on Michael Porter Jr. saying he's to blame for Denver's 2nd round loss to the Timberwolves:
"I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I couldn't disagree with [MPJ] more. I don't want Michael Porter putting the series loss on him. We win together, we… pic.twitter.com/ryNrT9MuRV
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 23, 2024
Porter Jr. was on fire during the first round, averaging 22.8 points per game in five games while shooting 55.3% from the field and 48.8% from three. That is the production that a star forward would give you in a playoff series, so people had high hopes for him heading into the second-round matchup with the Timberwolves.
Porter Jr. seemingly forgot how to impact the game offensively, averaging 10.7 points per game in the seven-game series against Minnesota, shooting 37.1% from the field and 32.5% from three. He had no double-digit scoring game after Game 3, which was a kill shot for the Nuggets.
MPJ can’t be blamed alone, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also went ice cold during the series. Jamal Murray was extremely inconsistent, though he did show up in Game 7 when the team needed him to. If you want to blame players, almost every player including Nikola Jokic can be blamed for their season ending.
It’s important Denver stays united when this core runs it back next season with adjustments to the larger rotation.
The Nuggets Ran Into A Team Built To Beat Them
The reason for the Timberwolves series ending in a loss can’t be explained by dissecting individual performances. The Wolves were built to beat Denver with their combination of inside presences to limit Jokic’s production, ace perimeter defenders like Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels to stifle Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., along an offensive system that a slow-footed Nuggets five couldn’t stop.
Even Jokic admitted that the Wolves were specially designed to beat them.
“Yes. I think they’re built to beat us. Just look at their roster, they have basically two All-Stars, two probably first defensive players (All-Defensive First Team) in the year, Mike Conley, who’s the most underrated player in the NBA probably… From the bench, they have a sixth player of the year, they have Kyle (Anderson) and (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) who was really good from them. They can do literally everything. They can be big, small.”
The fatigue of a title run last season and a frenetic battle for the top seeds in the West through game No. 82 held the franchise back, as they didn’t have the right pieces to take pressure off Jokic, Murray, and Porter.
The franchise is bound to make big moves this summer to reinforce its status as a contender. Even though coach Malone just defended Porter Jr., we may see the 35-year-old forward be the most alluring trade piece in Denver to upgrade the roster.
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