“I Stand By What I Said”: Michael Porter Jr Defends Comments Against Denver Nuggets’ Coaching Staff

The Denver Nuggets have defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 to reduce the deficit to 3-2. Moreover, they outplayed the Clippers in the second half of the game. The young roster showed an impressive spirt as they came back from being down 16 points!

Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic had impressive games, as always, but it was the extra push from Paul Millsap that sealed the deal. Millsap scored 15 of his 17 points alone in the third quarter. Furthermore, rookie Michael Porter Jr. drained four clutch free throws in crunch time.

MPJ was heavily scrutinized for his post-game comments after his Game 4 defeat. But MPJ believes he was right and stands by his words. Porter Jr. revealed his thoughts regarding the same in the game 5 post-game conference, where the 22-year-old said:

“I tried to block that out, you know everything I said, I stand by what I said, I didn’t mean it in any type of disrespect or anything like that. Coaches and my teammates, they all know that, we talked as a team, everybody is on the same page coming today.

“They know I respect all those guys, especially those superstars in the league talking to a young guy like me, you wanna listen, you don’t always wanna think you are right.”

Porter Jr. believes his comments after the game defeat were not incorrect. However, listening to an experienced player is always a good idea for young stars like MPJ. Porter Jr. finished game 5 with just 7 points but it was his effort off the ball down the stretch that proved instrumental for the Nuggets.

Can the Denver Nuggets repeat first-round heroics?

To couple that, the team has a deep bench to take some load off of the starters. However, the duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray could pull another rabbit out of the hat in the next game. Coach Malone has done an incredible job of increasing the defensive intensity for his side.

Not playing elite defense was one of the major concerns for the Denver team while facing the Clippers. But they out rebounded the Clippers in game 5 and this is good news for Malone’s side.

Can they defeat the Clippers once again? Or will the Clippers seal the series on Sunday night?