MPJ unplugged: Forward dishes on “Curious Mike”
Michael Porter Jr. doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.
The Nuggets’ dazzling young forward even admits he hasn’t always shared his sometimes outspoken views “the right way.”
But by asking questions, he’s trying. And with his latest venture, the 23-year-old is attempting to be authentic – and respectful – in probing difficult topics that dance around inside his head.
Season one of “Curious Mike,” Porter’s interview-style podcast, was born out of the handful of times he waded into sensitive topics like George Floyd’s death and the COVID pandemic on Twitter and Snapchat, respectively. Those mediums, Porter acknowledges, don’t allow for difference of opinion. The conversation, in other words, flows in one direction.
“I’m never someone that would just go into being silent instead of voicing my opinion, but I think that the reason that ‘Curious Mike’ (started) – I’ve become so passionate just about having these conversations – is because I haven’t always done it the right way,” Porter told The Denver Post in a wide-ranging interview last week.
“I’ve tweeted little things or said something on Snapchat in a quick little thing that people have no context or didn’t understand where I was coming from,” he said. “I didn’t explain where I was coming from. I didn’t explain that, you know, I’m not saying I’m always right. I’m just saying my opinion, now what do you think? Like, there was no space for that. … And of course people if they disagree are gonna jump down your throat. … I think that those are all topics that should be talked about. I just think you need to make sure it’s in the right space.”
Season one (four episodes plus a bonus Q-&-A) included conversations with Lecrae, a Grammyaward winning Christian rapper, longtime friend and Atlanta Hawks All-star Trae Young, celebrity pastor Judah Smith and Porter’s Aunt Nancy.
Intentionally or not, Porter’s guests reveal perhaps the three
most important things to him: Basketball, family and faith, and not necessarily in that order. In the Young episode, Porter gleefully looked back on dominating the AAU circuit with Young as his teammate. With his Aunt Nancy, Porter dove into the pitfalls of fame and considered what life would be like without the material possessions lavished upon NBA players.
The upcoming season will cast an even wider net, though still with star-powered NBA names. If he could pick any guest from the sports world, Porter said he’d choose Tom Brady. Given the chance, Porter said he’d pick his brain on his mental strength and discipline. His guests, Porter’s sister Cierra said, are a conscious choice to learn from highly successful people.
Struck by her brother’s curiosity, Cierra came up with the name in a moment of inspiration.
“The first episode that we recorded I was shocked, like I almost cried because I was just so proud of him,” she said. “He was so articulate and so, you can just tell (he’s) really standing behind what he says and just being authentic and true to himself.”
“I want the world to see me for me,” he said when asked if there was apprehension about being so transparent with his faith. “I don’t want to put up any image or act like everything’s perfect in my life or conform to any norm. I just want the world not necessarily to accept me, but I want them to know me and then have a chance to accept the real me or not. … The people that are with it are with it. You can root for me or not. The people that aren’t, that’s OK, too.
“… For me, when people watch me, I want them to know who I am as a person not just a basketball player,” he added.
That includes temptations of being a celebrity, the distractions on social media and personal struggles all people encounter.
This offseason, Porter has done his best to stay off social media, which he realizes isn’t good for his mental health. Instead, he’s bounced from city to city with his chef, strength coach and trainer, working diligently in preparation for the upcoming season.
Last week he was in Seattle working out at University of Washington with Isaiah Thomas. He’s already spent time in Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles and Missouri training for the upcoming season.
One of his offseason stops included a week-long workout with Steph Curry in the Bay Area. Porter, to steal his phrase, remains in “grindmode.”
That was also his preferred phrase when asked about his contract status. Entering his fourth season, Porter is extension eligible until the start of the season. He said he talks to his agent Mark Bartelstein daily about updates and is encouraged where talks stand.
“Everything is sounding great, in the direction that I’d like to be headed,” Porter said. “Nothing is set in stone, but everything is going smooth as far as that goes.
“One thing about Mark – something probably could’ve been done already but Mark is the best in the business,” Porter added. “I told him, ‘Take your time, do your thing. I’m in no rush, I’m in grindmode. I’m not stressed about it. I’m just in the gym, and whenever you’ve got some news for me, hit me up.’”
And so despite the prospect of a significant windfall, Porter’s focus has been in the gym. But when his mind wanders, his new project has a place for his thoughts to land.