Nets Rookie Big Man Playing With a Purpose, Porter Making a Strong All-Star Push
When the Brooklyn Nets selected their new big man with the 27th pick in June’s draft, some around the league saw him as a late-first-round project. He sees it differently - as fuel. That draft-day slide didn’t just sting - it lit a fire that’s still burning.
“Obviously, I’d be lying if I said I don’t have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “It’s about proving people wrong, proving the teams who passed on me wrong, but also proving myself right. I know what I can become.”
That mindset has already started to show up in his play. The questions coming out of Michigan mostly centered around his defense - could he switch, could he hold his own against NBA-level speed and physicality? So far, he’s answering those questions in real time.
“There were a lot of doubts about who I could guard at this level,” he admitted. “I took that personally.
I’ve worked to show I can defend in this league. But it’s still a work in progress - I need to keep getting quicker, keep getting stronger.”
That’s the kind of mentality that sticks - not just for a season, but for a career. The Nets didn’t just get a skilled big man late in the first round - they got a worker, someone determined to outplay his draft slot every night.
Porter Jr. Turning Heads - and Making a Legit All-Star Case
While the rookie is grinding to make a name for himself, Michael Porter Jr. is putting up numbers that are demanding attention - and maybe even an All-Star nod.
Porter is averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists - all career highs. The advanced metrics back it up, but sometimes the eye test says enough.
When Porter’s cooking, the Nets look like a completely different team. They're 6-3 when he scores 30 or more, and his presence on the floor shifts the entire offensive dynamic.
“Just look at what we look like when he’s on the court versus when he’s not,” center Nic Claxton said. “He does so much.
He creates so many opportunities - for himself and for us. His numbers are off the charts.
He definitely should be an All-Star.”
The only thing working against him? The Nets are still in a rebuild.
Wins matter in All-Star voting, and Brooklyn’s record may not reflect Porter’s individual brilliance. But if voters are watching closely, they’ll see a player who’s elevated his game in every facet - scoring efficiently, rebounding at a high clip, and showing more playmaking than ever before.
Around the Nets: Familiar Names and Injury Updates
There’s another Michigan State product in the Nets organization this season - but he’s not suiting up. Joey Hauser, brother of Celtics sharpshooter Sam Hauser, is working as a video assistant with Brooklyn. Joey played last season with the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, and had a brief stint on a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz.
Meanwhile, forward Haywood Highsmith is inching closer to his Nets debut. Acquired from the Heat back in August, Highsmith has been sidelined with a knee injury, but he was seen getting shots up and working with the coaching staff during warmups on Thursday. He hasn’t been cleared for contact yet, but it’s a positive sign that he’s trending in the right direction.
The Bottom Line
The Nets are a team in transition, but they’re not short on storylines. A rookie big man with something to prove.
A rising star in Porter Jr. making a serious All-Star push. And a coaching staff that continues to develop talent from all angles - from the hardwood to the film room.
This season might not be about championships in Brooklyn, but it’s about building something. And if the early signs are any indication, the foundation is starting to take shape.