Player Michael Porter Jr. thought he was better than Nikola Jokic

Transition from Denver Nuggets to Brooklyn Nets gave Michael Porter Jr. enough time to think about his trip to the Mile High City. During a recent appearance on the popular basketball podcast, the forward shared a candid story about his early days in Denver and his shocking first impression of the three-time MVP. Nikola Jokic.

When is it The Nuggets drafted Michael Porter Jr. In 2018, he admitted that he didn’t follow the NBA closely. Instead, he focused on his age group and college peers. This lack of professional context led to a hilariously inaccurate assessment of the team’s hierarchy during his first training camp.

“I didn’t think he was that good at first. I thought Mason Plumlee was better than the Joker.” — MPJ with all-time 🤣 pic.tvitter.com/VzKHbPIKShk

— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) February 5, 2026

“At first I didn’t think he was that good, I thought Mason Plumlee was better than the Joker.” Porter said honestly. However, veteran shortstop Monte Morris quickly pulled the rookie aside to set the record straight, “But I kept hearing, as Monte Morris told me, he was like, ‘Man you don’t understand, Joker could hit 50 every night if he wanted to.’ And so I didn’t see it at first in training, I think he was just, you know the Joker, he can just pass and he doesn’t have to try to dominate all the time.

The realization finally came when the regular season began. Porter Jr. saw firsthand how the center controlled the entire floor with his passing and basketball IQ. That the same size was fully displayed last Wednesday, even as the Nuggets fell in a double-overtime thriller to the New York Knicks.

Despite a 134-127 loss at Madison Square Garden, Nikola Jokic posted another huge triple-double with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. Jamaal Murray added 39 points in the effort, but the Nuggets could not withstand a 42-point explosion from New York guard Jalen Brunson.

Looking back, Porter Jr. realizes that greatness doesn’t always come in the most athletic package. Doc he now corresponds to another franchisehe will make sure he doesn’t make the same mistake in his new team.