2023 NBA Finals Preview: Ranking players from SEC

3. Michael Porter Jr.

The third best player for the Nuggets is Michael Porter Jr. and he, much like Jamal Murray, is helping Denver reach the Finals after finally getting healthy.

Only playing in 9 games last season, Porter Jr. underwent the third back surgery of his career and there were many questions about whether he could be the impact player we see today.

But during this postseason he has been exactly that and he’s even transformed into a 2-way player, putting in high quality minutes on the defensive end.

Starting in 15 games for Denver during the playoffs, he is averaging 14.6 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, is shooting at a 40.8% clip from three-point range, and is 81% at the free throw line.

And one thing that’s obvious when you watch him play: he has the green light.

Porter Jr. will take the shot when he gets the rock and for Denver to win this series, they will probably need at least one big game from him.

College Days

For Porter Jr., there weren’t very many college days. In the first half of his opening game at Missouri, Porter Jr. injured his back.

The injury would require surgery and it was initially thought he would be out for the rest of the season.

But he returned to come off the bench for the final two games of the year. Once in the SEC tournament, and the other in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.

While it was encouraging he was able to return, injury concerns still caused Porter Jr. to fall in the draft, opening the door for the Nuggets to select him at 14. He would sit out his rookie season, undergo a second back surgery, and Denver would be patient.

Now, almost 5 years later, he is an integral part to their 2023 NBA Finals run.