Carmelo Anthony Challenges Michael Porter Jr. in New Nets Role

Brooklyn, NY – On October 29, 2025, Carmelo Anthony issued a challenge to Michael Porter Jr. regarding his new role as a key player for the Brooklyn Nets. This comes after Porter Jr. transitioned from the Denver Nuggets, where he played behind stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

The 6-foot-10 forward is stepping into a lead offensive role for the first time in his career, following his trade. Porter Jr. expressed how important it is for players in the NBA to set aside their egos to help the team succeed. He acknowledged his previous struggles but expressed confidence in his ability to score from anywhere on the court.

“That confidence and feeling like I can make any shot on the court, that never left,” Porter Jr. said during a press conference in Brooklyn. “To go from that to this role, I feel kind of at home in my head.”

Porter Jr. is now one of the Nets’ only established scorers alongside Cam Thomas, with the team featuring three rookie point guards. He shared that having the ball in his hands more often will allow him to showcase his skills and possibly rack up assists, contrasting this with his previous role in Denver where he felt limited.

Anthony, familiar with the pressures of leading a team, urged Porter Jr. to keep up the efficiency he demonstrated in Denver. “I wanna see you do it in an effective and efficient way,” Anthony said. “Win, lose, or draw, you still should challenge yourself to do that.”

Last season, Porter Jr. averaged 18.2 points, 2.1 assists, and had a 50.4 shooting percentage in Denver. So far this season with Brooklyn, he has slightly increased his scoring to 19.0 points per game while maintaining a commendable shooting efficiency.

However, despite his offensive improvements, Porter Jr.’s defensive performance has been criticized. He currently holds one of the lowest defensive ratings among forwards in the league. As he moves forward with the Nets, Porter Jr. has one year left on his $40.8 million contract, and speculation continues regarding his future with the team.