Michael Porter Jr. is one of the most outspoken personalities in the NBA, but it seems that Brooklyn fillets encouraged him to moderate his online presence. During a recent podcast segment, Porter explained that the organization would prefer to avoid weighing in on sensitive cultural topics, especially during the season. For a player who has never been shy about expressing his opinion, this marks a notable change in the way he approaches social media.
“Being on the Internet for something other than basketball, I feel like it’s a summer activity,” Porter said on the “Ball in the Family” podcast. “We just had conversations about how they would appreciate me staying away from certain topics. The WNBA, it’s just such a sensitive topic these days.”
Porter recently made headlines for claiming he could have dominated the WNBA as a sixth grader. This take is just one of his many outlandish podcast moments, and the Nets have made it clear they want to stay focused on basketball as they try to stabilize their season. As the WNBA talk becomes one of the most volatile debates on social media, the team believes it is in everyone’s best interest to avoid any potential controversy.
“For the most part, I relax, I don’t try to say crazy things anymore.”
Porter’s comments could easily be interpreted as an insult to the WNBA, but it goes beyond that. It completely discredited women’s football, provoking strong reactions from fans.
Of course, this is just one of Porter Jr.’s many viral comments lately. Since the launch of his podcast, he became more and more daring with his takesincluding when described his ‘perfect woman’ and claimed her high school team could beat the WNBA All-Stars.
Porter Jr. often gets personal on his show and touches on topics that many would consider inappropriate. For a Nets team that’s floundering at 2-12, it can’t afford any distractions, and that means Porter Jr. has to find a way to avoid unnecessary headlines.
Instead, averaging 24.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, Porter Jr. needs to elevate his game for Brooklyn and continue to serve as a stabilizing offensive presence. As a former champion Nuggets, he already has the experience, and now he must have the discipline to do what is necessary.
When it comes to his hot spots and WNBA-related topics, the Nets feel it’s best for him to stay quiet, and they may be right. No one on a 2-12 roster is in a position to criticize another league, and Porter Jr. quickly discovered what can happen when he tests the limits of his team’s patience.
Porter’s talent gives the Nets a real foundation to build on, but his focus will determine how far he can take them. Brooklyn needs leadership and consistency more than ever, and avoiding unnecessary controversy is part of that responsibility. If he channels his energy toward production rather than headlines, Porter Jr. can help the Nets climb out of their doldrums and back toward respectability.
