How Michael Porter Jr. has maintained focus amid tragedy

In 11 games since re-joining team in Philadelphia, Nuggets forward has averaged 19.5 points on 43% 3-point shooting

CLEVELAND >> About 10 minutes after the Nuggets knocked off the Cavaliers, a loud, annoying chant came seeping out of the victorious locker room.

“Mike, Mike, Mike,” the Nuggets’ players repeated in an adoring yet teasing fashion. Paying homage to the movie “Finding Nemo,” Denver’s players have started repeating the call each time Michael Porter Jr. has a strong night.

“I don’t know when it came back, but it just started coming back,” Porter said. “It’s dope.”

Porter’s teammates were razzing him after he scored a team-high 25 points on six 3-pointers in Denver’s rousing 115-109 win over the Cavaliers on Thursday. With 2:15 left in the fourth quarter and the Nuggets clinging to a two-point lead, Nikola Jokic got the ball in the post, drew a double-team and rifled the ball to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The veteran skipped the ball to Porter who was waiting on the wing for an uncontested look.

“Textbook offensive possession,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Porter raised his hot hand as he hopped back to the defensive end of the court, having buried the jumper to all but seal the win. Earlier in the game, Porter was on the receiving end of one of Jokic’s blind swivel passes to the corner. He buried it while the Cavs scrambled in bewilderment.

With his teammates’ support, Porter has managed to thrive on the court while coping with unimaginable tragedy off it. His brother, Coban, was charged with vehicular homicide in a fatal crash that occurred in late January. Since then, Porter has compartmentalized his emotions and channeled his energy into basketball.

“At the end of the day, basketball is supposed to be a joyful sport,” he told The Denver Post. “I try to have fun while I’m playing. Just because one thing isn’t going good in your life, you don’t just get to shut down. Life isn’t perfect for everybody. I just try to keep going. I’ve been through a lot injury-wise. Stuff off the court with my family. At the end of the day, everyone’s going through stuff, so you can’t just shut down. You just gotta keep going. That’s life.”

That’s the sort of mature perspective that comes with having been through so much at just 24 years old.

According to Malone, it’s an area that, while sensitive, deserves immense attention.

“Mentally tough dude. … (It’s) something that should be talked about,” Malone said. “Whether it’s three back surgeries, whether it’s missing his whole first season, missing 73 games last year, or going through what he and his family are going through right now. I remember when he joined us on that road trip, I think him getting back to his basketball family and playing the game that he loves, finding that sanctuary, has given him some peace of mind.”

In the 11 games he’s played since re-joining the team in Philadelphia, Porter’s averaged 19.5 points on 43% 3-point shooting. In his last three games, he’s buried 16 3-pointers alone. His confidence has never wavered, nor has his focus.

Porter credited his three back surgeries with helping to shape his outlook and prioritize what’s important in his life.

“It’s definitely taught me what really matters,” Porter said. “… A lot of stuff that used to matter to me because I’ve dealt with so much bigger things, now it doesn’t matter to me.”