4. He is supremely confident
At the NBA Combine, Porter took little time to let everyone know where he ranks himself among his fellow rookies.
“I’m still the best player,” Porter told reporters. “I know without a doubt. I’ve played against all these guys. They’re all great players. But I’m the best player in this draft and I can’t wait to show what I’m capable of.”
Porter also isn’t shying away from making lofty comparisons to current stars. When asked to liken his game to another NBA player during a recent radio interview, Porter compared himself to Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Tracy McGrady. One NBA analyst said Porter didn’t do well in his pre-draft interviews with teams.
ESPN NBA Front Office Insider, @BobbyMarks42 says #Mizzou‘s Michael Porter Jr. did not interview well with teams in Chicago, and right now projects him to fall somewhere between 7-10 in the #NBADraft
— Bernie Miklasz Show (@BernieShow) May 31, 2018
Porter says he’s heard the concerns about whether he is too arrogant. “Because people didn’t get to see me play this college year, a lot of people would make assumptions that I’m not a team player, I’m cocky, I’m not humble,” Porter told Sports Illustrated. “ Weird stuff that I would hear that I never heard before this last year when I didn’t play. A lot of that isn’t true.
