Michael Porter Jr. didn’t have to say it. The afternoon already carried sufficient weight.
Sunday marked his first sport as a Web going through his former crew, the Denver Nuggets, since final summer season’s commerce. Denver moved on from him as a part of a salary-clearing deal, however in Brooklyn, the veteran ahead has reinvented himself, averaging 25.8 factors and seven.5 rebounds throughout his first 26 appearances whereas taking pictures 49.6% from the sphere and 41% from deep.
Porter’s not simply producing in Brooklyn, he’s rising as an All-Star candidate. And Nets head coach Jordi Fernández understood the additional which means behind Sunday’s matchup and didn’t draw back from it.
“If I [were] in his shoes, I would be very excited to play this game,” Fernández stated. “And I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to go out there and perform on both ends. So, it’s an exciting, exciting day for for all of us, especially for him.”
Porter returned after lacking the Nets’ earlier two video games with an sickness, however Fernández made it clear there could be no limitations.
“He’s feeling great,” Fernández stated. “He did a lot of work yesterday to make sure that he was ready to go. He hasn’t felt great the last few days, and he feels much better. So, no retributions or anything because he hasn’t lost conditioning or so forth. So, if he has a little bit of discomfort still, maybe, he’ll just fight through it. It’s who Mike is. He’s had a lot of discomfort and things that he’s had to deal and he always performs. We’re excited to have him back.”
Cam Johnson, the participant Brooklyn despatched to Denver, has had a troublesome season and is at present sidelined with a proper knee bone bruise. He didn’t make the journey to Brooklyn for Sunday’s sport. Nikola Jokić was additionally dominated out due to a left knee bone bruise, forcing the Nuggets to arrange with out the league’s most dependable offensive engine. Nonetheless, Fernández emphasised that the Nets’ focus remained sharp, notably when it got here to Jamal Murray, whose presence alone calls for loads of consideration.
Fernández is aware of Murray in addition to anybody. Their relationship traces again to Denver and prolonged onto the worldwide stage with Workforce Canada.
“Honestly I had him there because I really trusted him, because of our previous relationship in Denver,” Fernández stated. “He’s a guy that I not just have a lot of respect for, but I as a fan enjoy watching him play because his competitive nature is unbelievable. I haven’t seen many players like him.”
Sunday’s sport additionally carried private which means for Fernández past Porter. It marked a reunion with David Adelman, who took over as Denver’s head coach after Michael Malone was fired final season. Each as soon as served as assistants on Malone’s workers.
“I would not be in the position that I am today without my experience with that coaching staff,” Fernández stated. “Personally, a lot of love for D.A., because I’ve learned so much from him, but also, I spent a lot of time with him and his family. You don’t forget where you come from.”
