Porter, Malone talk role amid preseason frustration

Last Thursday, Michael Porter Jr.’s parents sat seven rows up from the Pepsi Center court, directly facing the Denver Nuggets’ bench.

Porter’s parents had been in Portland for his preseason debut Oct. 8. They wanted to be there when he made his home debut in front of Nuggets fans, even if it was just the preseason finale. As he finally checked in with 2:47 left in the third quarter, his parents and relatives raised their hands in anticipation and relief.

Only Porter wasn’t mentally there, he now says, frustrated from having to sit and bide his time.

After the somewhat deflating home debut, Porter texted Nuggets coach Michael Malone and apologized for his efforts.

“I was kind of upset just because I went in towards the end of the game when some of their bench guys were coming in,” Porter said. “I just didn’t come in with good energy and so I just texted him, like, ‘Coach, that’s my fault.’ Like, I’ve never been a player that has to stay ready throughout the whole game and doesn’t know when he’s coming in.”

According to Malone, Porter asked his coach not to pass judgment based on that game.

“I said, ‘I would never do that, for you or any other player,’ ” Malone said.

Porter said the fact that his parents were in town only added to his impatience.

“That kind of played a role into it,” Porter said, adding, “So when they came out, I just wanted to play good for them, but then I wasn’t getting in, so I got frustrated.”

What ensued was a conversation between Porter and his veteran coach. After practice last week,

Porter sought out Malone to better understand his role in a team that’s expected to be in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the West.

“Just for him to be transparent with me, and kind of let me know and give me a good picture,” Porter said. “Our whole team is going to have to sacrifice for each other. But when we’re winning, nobody’s going to be mad. At least they shouldn’t be.”

Malone told the former No. 1 recruit in the country some hard truths.

“As I told him, I recognize the potential he has,” Malone said. “I recognize the talent and the fact that he’s got a chance to be a special player. So my job is, at some point, to get him minutes so he can grow. He cannot go through this year and not play. Now, does that mean he’s going to play tomorrow night (in Denver’s season opener)? Not at all.”

When the Nuggets open the season Wednesday night in Portland, Malone has 11 or 12 players at his disposal who could contribute. What’s more, the Nuggets have a glut of wings who have more experience than Porter.

“It’s not like we’re trying to play guys that haven’t done much for us,” Malone said, referring to the handful of small forwards competing for minutes. “Our continuity is our strength and our continuity also means that you got a lot of returning players who helped you have one of the best seasons in franchise history.”

Porter recognizes the depth of talent on the roster.

“I respect that we already have guys who have won, almost got to the Western Conference finals last year,” Porter said. “We’ve got a great team, we’ve got great players at my position and he has multiple players who he could be playing, so for me to have to earn it, that just comes with it. It comes with being on a great team. I didn’t go to some team that wasn’t going to make the playoffs.”

The challenge for Porter and Malone is keeping a player who’s never been in this position engaged, with no promises of playing time.

Malone was adamant that whatever time Porter gets, he’ll have to earn. Malone said he learned his lesson previously when he handed minutes to players who hadn’t yet deserved them.

“I think the players respect the fact that Michael is earning his minutes on the court,” Malone said.

If Porter doesn’t play in the early going, he said he’ll have to accept that as part of his maturation process.

“It’s tough to stay locked in, but that’s part of being a professional athlete,” he said. “You’ve got to be ready when your name is called.”