Michael Porter Jr. got a firsthand reminder this summer that the title of best shooter in basketball doesn’t come easy.
During a recent workout with N3on, the Brooklyn Nets star opened up about going head-to-head with Klay Thompson and coming away with a new perspective on his own game.
“You know what’s crazy? Me and Klay Thompson just worked out together. I used to think I was the best shooter, but not anymore, dog,” Porter Jr. said to N3on.
Porter Jr. said the workout was tight, with Thompson edging him out by one spot. The two also shared a telling exchange afterward.
“He beat me by one spot; it was close, and after the workout he was like, ‘It’s been so long since I’ve shot against someone that challenges me. And that’s how I felt, that I never get to work out with someone that challenges me,” he added.
That kind of confidence stands out even more given the season Thompson is trying to put behind him. He averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc, both career-worst marks.
And yet, even after that rough stretch, Thompson was still sharp enough in workouts to get the better of Porter Jr. He reportedly knocked down 72 straight three-pointers from one spot.
Porter Jr., meanwhile, put together a strong 2025-26 season of his own, finishing with averages of 24.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.3% from three.
Thompson’s move to Miami has already brought a different energy. He has clearly ramped up the intensity and arrived at training camp in strong shape, with the Heat beginning team activities, including practice runs and a trip designed to build chemistry.
A clip from ‘Pain Camp’ that Davion Mitchell posted on Instagram showed Thompson looking every bit the elite shooter, even in paint work against Bam Adebayo.
Klay Thompson going right at Bam during the runs at PAIN CAMP👀
That shot release is insanely quick.
(via Davion IG) pic.twitter.com/7mkRu2jOgk
- The HEAT Realm (@WadexFlash) September 15, 2026
Now the real question is whether that form carries over once the games start. Thompson’s workout showing and his early presence at Miami’s team activities suggest he’s eager to answer after a down shooting year.
He’s still widely viewed as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, and he looks intent on reminding everyone why. The Heat are hoping that confidence, and whatever rhythm he’s found this summer, shows up when it counts.
In Other News...
Heat Still Face One Roster Decision That Could Matter Early
The Heat have spent the early part of camp sorting out a backcourt picture that still looks unsettled around the margins. Davion Mitchell, Dru Smith and Tre Donaldson are part of the point guard mix, but Miami is also weighing whether it needs one more experienced hand, especially if the goal is to balance defense, ball handling and a little more reliability behind the starters.
One option under consideration is a reunion with former All-Star Victor Oladipo, whose on-ball skill set still carries obvious appeal even with the injury concerns that have followed him in recent years. Miami has reached the minimum roster count already, but leaving a spot open remains on the table if the front office wants flexibility for a trade or buyout target once the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Roster Spot Suddenly Puts Myron Gardner Under Real Pressure
The Heats roster picture is getting tighter, and Myron Gardner is one of the players who could feel it first. Miamis reported interest in free agent guard-forward John Konchar adds another layer to a spot that already looked unsettled, especially with Gardner working on a partially guaranteed contract and trying to hold onto a place in a system he already knows.
Konchar brings NBA experience, but his injury history is part of the calculation, which leaves Miami weighing reliability against familiarity and upside. Gardner has the age edge and the comfort of being in-house, while Konchar would arrive with a different rsum and a more proven track record. A decision on the spot is expected soon, and Gardners situation now looks like one of the more interesting camp battles on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Bench Debate Is Heating Up Around One Key Award Race
The Heats offseason makeover has already created an interesting subplot on the bench, where Tim Hardaway Jr. and Pelle Larsson are both positioned to play meaningful roles as reserve options. Hardaway brings the kind of shooting that fits cleanly next to dominant scorers, while Larssons versatility gives Miami another useful piece in a rotation that should lean heavily on depth.
In a Sixth Man of the Year race, though, sharing the spotlight can be its own complication. Miami could wind up with two legitimate candidates from the same roster, which creates the possibility of vote splitting, even if both players are good enough to make a strong case on their own. For a team that just reshaped its outlook around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the bigger question may be whether the bench production is strong enough to matter, not just who gets the credit for it. [Read more 🡒]