Knicks · OT: Michael Porter Jr. could miss rest of season with back nerve issue (page 1)

Just ugh

https://www.denverpost.com/2021/11/21/nu...

PHOENIX – Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. is dealing with a nerve issue in his back that could jeopardize his season, league sources told The Denver Post.

The Nuggets have been vague about specifics of the injury and when Porter might be expected back. They have given him a timeline of a week to show improvements before considering other treatment options. Another back surgery is a possibility, sources said.

Porter botched a layup attempt in the first quarter against Houston on Nov. 6, exacerbating a back injury that he’s had all season. He has not played since then.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Sunday’s loss to Phoenix that Porter was in Florida away from the team. A league source said he was seeking more opinions on how to treat his injury. Since tweaking his back more than two weeks ago, Porter has been getting daily treatment in an effort to strengthen the area of the injury, sources said.

Porter, 23, has already had two back surgeries. The first came during his lone college season at Missouri and kept him out around four months. The second came after the Nuggets drafted him with the No. 14 pick in the 2018 draft. Porter missed his entire rookie season as a result.

Porter’s pronounced struggles throughout the first nine games of the season were, at least in part, because of his balky back. Nuggets guard Austin Rivers said recently Porter had been playing through injury all season.

“He’s 23 years old,” Rivers said last week. “He’s gotta take care of himself and get himself right physically and that way mentally he can come to the court playing the way that we know he can play. He’s playing hurt this whole season. It’s hard to do that. Hopefully, he comes back soon because he’s a huge part of our team.”

The Nuggets signed Porter to a five-year max contract in late September. A large portion of the contract – $145 million – is guaranteed.

Through nine games this season, Porter was averaging just 9.9 points on only 36% shooting from the field. He was connecting on only 21% of his 3-pointers so far this season, too.

Also, prior to season: The Nuggets signed Porter to a max contract extension this offseason, five years at $172 million, with $145 million of it guaranteed.

maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Wasn't there back issue for him coming into the league?

knicks1248 wrote:Wasn't there back issue for him coming into the league?

Did you what martin quoted? He missed most of this “Lone season” and had surgery his rookie year.
Its why he went 14th. The money, all in that breif quote.

At that position you take the risk. The contract? Easy in hindsight to be glad its not ours but last year he really was playing to his potential. Knick fans were doing the regret thing then.
Denver one of those teams that if they can get it all together are true contenders. They did everything right and we can all see just how hard it is.

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Dude is an egg.

I wanted Mykal Bridges over both Knox and Porter

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

Vmart wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Wait, what? When did that happen?

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

I liked both Bridges and both Bridges would be better.

martin wrote:

Vmart wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Wait, what? When did that happen?

I still have hope for Knox and Fournier has been playing so badly, I'm wondering if we don't try to turn Knox into a SG!

now what he meant to say was Knox is a very good player on a really bad team.

Frank is now part of another franchise, and the numbers there are no different than what they were here. The only thing is his groin hasn't gone out yet.

Knox might flourish on a bad team that needs to trot five guys out every night. Kinda maybe like Fournier did in Orlando!

Do we really have to do this over and over to ourselves? We all wanted Mykal. We all watched him at Villinova win a chip. Who DIDN'T what to draft him? It was THE safe pick.

You'd of assumed that Denver would have great knowledge of his back's condition by now- crazy they took the risk of a max (I just assumed they knew for sure it wouldn't be an issue going forward). Originally the LA Clippers doctor at the draft said he'd likely never play again, which is why they passed on him twice. That turned out to be wrong, but then Denver seems to have gone too far the other way.

I do think this offseason will be a big wakeup call to a lot of teams who gave premature/unnecessary contract extensions- going to be a lot of buyers remorse over the next few seasons (hope Randle isn't one of them!).

Nalod wrote:Do we really have to do this over and over to ourselves? We all wanted Mykal. We all watched him at Villinova win a chip. Who DIDN'T what to draft him? It was THE safe pick.

I, much like Fiz, was won over by Kevin Knox after watching one (yes ONE, because in another one he looked awful) pre draft workout video- in fact I think I posted on these boards we should go for Knox because I "was in a gambling mood"- this (along with many other horrific takes over the years) is why I should never be given the keys to the franchise😂

smackeddog wrote:You'd of assumed that Denver would have great knowledge of his back's condition by now- crazy they took the risk of a max (I just assumed they knew for sure it wouldn't be an issue going forward). Originally the LA Clippers doctor at the draft said he'd likely never play again, which is why they passed on him twice. That turned out to be wrong, but then Denver seems to have gone too far the other way.

I do think this offseason will be a big wakeup call to a lot of teams who gave premature/unnecessary contract extensions- going to be a lot of buyers remorse over the next few seasons (hope Randle isn't one of them!).

KP still has a chance to go down, and then Dallas and Denver can trade damaged goods.

Where is Scott Layden when you need him?

franco12 wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

I liked both Bridges and both Bridges would be better.

Same. I saw the attraction to Knox but really liked both Bridges.

Knixkik wrote:

franco12 wrote:

Philc1 wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

Bridges was the obvious pick in that draft. Our perimeter D with both him and RJ right now would be pretty sweet

I liked both Bridges and both Bridges would be better.

Same. I saw the attraction to Knox but really liked both Bridges.

Was definitely team Miles, with Mikal as the second choice. Admittedly, I got talked into Knox by Fiz. Dude is a trash coach, but he spits a smooth game as evidenced by the wife he was able to pull.

Vmart wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Knox may be one of the worst players in the league in that he seems to possess talent and athleticism. If he were playing at even 50% of his overall potential he could be a solid rotation player - but instead he offers 20% and rots on the bench.

Julius Randle looks REALLY GOOD right now.

jskinny35 wrote:

Vmart wrote:

franco12 wrote:maybe we weren't wrong for passing on him! Can't say the same for many of the other players we passed on to pick Knox.

We have to stop blaming the players and look at the team. Knox is a very good player. The biggest problem with the Knicks is the organization itself. Poor player development is the calli g card for the Knicks. Do you guys realize the recent moves of adding Kemba and Fournier actually sets Quickly, Obi and other players progression back. If there is ever an organization you don’t want to be drafted by it has to be the Knicks and Kings.

Knox may be one of the worst players in the league in that he seems to possess talent and athleticism. If he were playing at even 50% of his overall potential he could be a solid rotation player - but instead he offers 20% and rots on the bench.

He has zero lateral quickness. He runs the floor beautifully on offense but the Knicks have never had a pg who could unlock that

The guy the Knicks could have gotten over either Bridges was SGA.

I was a little surprised that Calipari pushed Knox as the guy when SGA looked like he had better all around tools and better ability to create for himself and others. Knox had the sweet looking shot and looked a bit like Durant or Ingram - so talented but still growing into his body.

Anyway, MPJ - Looking like a star, getting paid like a superstar then getting hobbled is the kiss of death for a franchise. They’re also dealing with the same thing with Murray. ACL’s seem to be something that players can come back from (esp young) and still be very good. These back problems can be debilitating and there isn’t really a reliable answer - outcome varies from player to player.