Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

2018 NBA Draft Prospect Report Part 3: Michael Porter Jr.

By Ricky Scricca

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 7: Michael Porter Jr. #9 of the USA Junior Select Team dunks against the World Select Team during the game on April 7, 2017 at the MODA Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 7: Michael Porter Jr. #9 of the USA Junior Select Team dunks against the World Select Team during the game on April 7, 2017 at the MODA Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next

Transition Scoring

Michael Porter Jr.’s calling card is his isolation scoring. But some of this most impressive offensive plays have come in the open court.

A far more fluid athlete than explosive, Porter’s athletic capabilities shine more in transition than in the halfcourt. He is a capable rebounder liable to grab-and-go on opponent misses, lead the break and make a good pass or finish in transition.

In the clip above, Porter finishes a tough shot through contact after a missed alley-oop attempt, earning a trip to the foul line.

He is also a pull-up threat, which forces defenders to play up on him in transition, allowing him and his teammates easier paths to the basket. But his size and high release point allow him to hit jumpers off the dribble even when the defense is close.

His defenders have to prioritize watching him as a trailer instead of gravitating toward the basket. Again, that opens up easy shot opportunities for teammates. Take note of the impressive lift he gets on this transition pull-up jumper.

Porter’s top-end speed allows him to frequently beat defenses in transition without the ball in his hands.

Here he beats fellow lottery prospect and Duke Blue Devils forward Marvin Bagley downcourt, receives the outlet pass and finishes.

Same concept here, as Porter beats all nine other players to the basket and finishes.

He might not be the most explosive athlete, but he is an effortless leaper off two feet, which makes him a formidable lob threat.

Here, he catches a lob from Alabama Crimson Tide guard Collin Sexton.

And here is a one-handed alley oop in transition.

Up to this point, it is much easier for him to beat defenders in the open court rather than the halfcourt, where he prefers to rise up and shoot over defenders instead of getting through or around them. Because of that, he creates more playmaking opportunities for himself in transition than in the halfcourt by forcing more defenders to commit.

DraftExpress uses this play from a Nike Hoop Summit scrimmage to illustrate his open court ball handling. It is also a great example of how his height allows him to make passes in traffic that many players cannot.

As DraftExpress explains in the video, he is a decidedly score-first player. But he has the skill, vision and wherewithal to make plays for others.

He has no shortage of self-confidence, which sometimes leads to him taking ill-advised contested jumpers, but he has also shown a proclivity for drawing multiple defenders and making the right pass to an open teammate.