Jordi Fernandez reveals the real reason Michael Porter Jr. should be an All-Star

Michael Porter Jr. he had high expectations of entering the NBA. Porter didn’t just expect to be an All-Star, but the best player in the league. While injuries slowed him earlier in his career, he is making up for lost time Brooklyn Nets.

Porter has firmly entered the All-Star conversation as he breaks out as the Nets’ No. 1 option. Jordi Fernandez said there’s no question the 27-year-old deserves his No. 1 pick.

“He’s an All-Star. He played like an All-Star, you just have to watch him play, and how much better he’s gotten,” Fernandez said. “He’s been in a different role and he’s proven that he can do that. And it’s not just about shooting, which I think if you’re an NBA fan, you just watch Michael shoot and shoot, right? It’s the way he worked the ball to get those shots, and also the rebounds, career rebounds and free throws, it all affects all those things as a group. (We try) to compete at the highest level. … We competed for a lot of games, and he is a big reason why he’s just doing his job, and it’s not about him, it’s about his competitive impact, and that’s why Mike would.

Jordi Fernandez asked about Michael Porter Jr. who could potentially earn his first All-Star selection:

“He’s an All-Star. You just have to watch him play. … If you think about his impact on competitiveness, that’s what All-Stars do, and that’s why Mike should be there.” pic.twitter.com/jhZZ7ZlKiN

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) January 9, 2026

Porter averaged 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists on .491/.404/.838 shooting in 30 games with Brooklyn. He, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only NBA players averaging 25 points and seven rebounds on over 49 percent shooting this season.

Will Michael Porter Jr. end the Nets’ season-long All-Star drought?

As Fernandez noted, though, Brooklyn’s success with Porter at the helm is the most compelling aspect of the forward’s All-Star case. The Nets are projected to be in the running for the NBA’s worst record this season.

However, they are 11-13 in their last 24 games with Porter in the lineup. Most impressively, they posted a positive net rating (2.8) in Porter’s minutes during that span.

Porter finished ninth in the Eastern Conference in the final round of All-Star fan voting. However, since the Nets star is unlikely to be selected as a starter, NBA head coaches will decide whether he will be drafted. Fans (25 percent), players (25 percent) and media (50 percent) vote for the starters, while coaches select seven reserves in each conference.

Porter would mark The Nets’ first All-Star since Kevin Durant in 2021-22 and seventh since the team moved to Brooklyn in 2012. Durant (2020-21 and 2021-22), Kyrie Irving (2020-21), James Harden (2020-21), D’Angelo (2020-21), D’Angelo (2020-21) (2013-14) and Brook Lopez (2012-13) are the only Nets All-Stars during the Brooklyn era.