Michael Porter Jr. Is Thriving in Brooklyn - But Is It Enough for an All-Star Nod?
Michael Porter Jr. is finally getting his shot - and he’s making the most of it.
After years of playing a complementary role in Denver, Porter has found a new rhythm in Brooklyn. With the Nets handing him the keys as their primary scoring option, the 6’10” forward is putting together the best season of his career. He’s scoring with confidence, rebounding with purpose, and looking every bit like a player who belongs in the All-Star conversation - even if the standings say otherwise.
Let’s talk numbers. Porter is averaging 25.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
He’s doing it efficiently, too - shooting 49.7% from the field and nearly 40% from deep. That’s elite-level production, no matter how you slice it.
But here’s the catch: the Nets are 7-18. And in the All-Star world, team success still matters - maybe more than it should.
The NBA officially opened All-Star voting on Thursday, and fans now have the chance to vote for their favorite players. As always, the format stays the same: 12 All-Stars per conference - five starters chosen by fans, players, and media, and seven reserves selected by the league’s head coaches.
This year, though, there’s a twist. The rosters are positionless, meaning it’s all about the top 12 players in the East - regardless of whether they’re guards, forwards, or centers.
That should, in theory, help a player like Porter, who doesn’t fit neatly into a traditional position box. But it also means he’s up against a crowded field of frontcourt talent.
According to recent projections - like those from CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn - Porter isn’t cracking the top 12 just yet. In Quinn’s mock All-Star roster, eight of the 12 Eastern Conference spots are taken by forwards or centers.
So even with the positionless format, Porter’s path is anything but easy.
And that’s where the record comes into play.
Fair or not, All-Star voting tends to reward players on winning teams. Porter’s stats are undeniable, but with the Nets struggling to stay afloat in the East, voters may look elsewhere. It’s the classic All-Star dilemma: do you reward individual brilliance, or do you lean toward players whose teams are winning games?
Still, there’s time. Voting runs through January 14, giving Porter a few more weeks to make his case. If he keeps up this level of production - and if Brooklyn can string together a few wins - the conversation could shift in his favor.
What’s clear is this: Porter has elevated his game. He’s no longer just a floor spacer or a secondary option. He’s carrying the scoring load, creating his own looks, and showing flashes of the offensive star many believed he could become back when he entered the league.
Whether that’s enough to earn him a trip to the All-Star Game remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure - Michael Porter Jr. is finally playing like a player who belongs in the spotlight.