Denver, CO

When Nuggets struggled to find offense against Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. delivered: “I’ve done that my whole career”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 30, 2024

When Nuggets struggled to find offense against Lakers, Michael Porter Jr. delivered: “I’ve done that my whole career”

Michael Porter Jr. didn’t want the Nuggets to go back to Los Angeles for Game 6 of their Western Conference playoff series. He said it might’ve been spooky if they did.

So on Monday night when Denver faced a third-quarter deficit against the Lakers, Porter took it upon himself to make sure his team wasn’t preparing for another plane ride.

Down by four points, Porter drove to the rim for a layup. Moments later, he had the ultimate green light, catching a pass from Nikola Jokic and draining a corner 3-pointer that cut Denver’s deficit to one.

Jamal Murray’s game-winning jumper secured Denver a spot in the second round and continued the Nuggets’ dominance over Los Angeles. But Porter’s impressive shooting effort, which had been on display throughout the series, helped set Murray up to be the hero in the 108-106 victory in Game 5.

“I was knocking down shot (after) shot. I’ve done that my whole career,” Porter said.

As Denver struggled to find offense in the first round against the Lakers, Porter was a model of consistency. He averaged 22.8 points per game while shooting over 50% from the floor.

Against Los Angeles in Game 5, he scored 26 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Not only was he a sniper from the 3-point line, he attacked the rim and showcased his entire offensive bag.

“Michael Porter’s offense in this series was incredible,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said. “Buckets were hard to come by but Michael hit some timely shots. And when he didn’t have his shot, he was able to get downhill and get pressure on the rim.”

Whenever the Nuggets struggled or were in a tight situation, they turned to Porter.

Denver was down by six in the first quarter when Porter’s 3-pointer ignited a 10-0 scoring run that gave the Nuggets a four-point lead at the end of the frame.

In the third quarter, as the Lakers attempted to grow a three-point halftime lead, Porter scored 12 points to push Denver ahead. With 1:35 left in the third, Aaron Gordon found Porter wide-open on the corner, where he buried a 3-pointer to give Denver a 74-69 lead.

In the fourth quarter when Lakers guard Austin Reaves scored a go-ahead basket, Porter answered by knocking down his fifth 3-pointer on the other end.

“Every time we needed a big shot (or) went on a drought, he was there,” Gordon said. “(He’s) so solid.”

The Nuggets’ two-man game of Murray and Jokic has been a driving force of their success. But in Denver’s quest to repeat as champions, it might require Porter to continue being a microwave scorer.

Up next is a second-round series against the Timberwolves, one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Porter shot 46% from the floor and 38.1% from deep in four games against Minnesota during the regular season. His steady performance against the Lakers offers hope he’s ready to rise to the challenge.

“He settled us (down) all series long,” Gordon said.

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Denver, CO

New Denver program aimed at keeping teens busy and out of trouble this summer

Published

5 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Press Room

New Denver program aimed at keeping teens busy and out of trouble this summer

New program is aimed at keeping Colorado teens busy and out of trouble this summer

01:21

Denver city officials on Monday announced a plan to help keep teenagers and young adults engaged and safe this summer. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced his youth works initiative.

With the school year ending, Johnston wants to make sure young people have a way to stay busy and make a little money in the process. The summer youth employment and retention program is aimed at not only helping the youth gain employment but to also retain a summer job.

This is for youth 14-21, and the mayor has partnered with Denver Public Schools and local businesses. Those who participate are able to earn $1,000 from May 20 to Aug. 16 and can also learn job skills and explore career paths.

“We are thinking about this as a multi-pronged approach to how we can engage young people into positive activities and prevent the risks of summer violence,” Johnston said.

To be eligible — you must live in Denver, be between 14 and 21 years old, show proof of income and commit to working at least 100 hours between May 20 and Aug. 16. Applications are open today through June 30. Learn more at denvergov.org/YouthSummer.

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Denver, CO

Report: Pittsburgh, Denver 'In The Running' For Hosting 2026 NFL Draft

Published

12 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Press Room

Report: Pittsburgh, Denver 'In The Running' For Hosting 2026 NFL Draft

The city of Pittsburgh and the Steelers organization are awaiting word on the bid they submitted in February to host either the 2026 or 2027 NFL Draft. The NFL owners are meeting this week in Nashville, and an announcement is possible this week. Team president Art Rooney II expects word this week, and it would make sense with the meetings going on to discuss several league matters.

According to Carolina Panthers beat writer Joe Person of the Athletic on X, Pittsburgh is in the running alongside Denver.

Host cities for 2026 and ‘27 NFL Draft could be announced this week at spring meetings. Denver and Pittsburgh in the running. Charlotte still interested in hosting a future draft, but did not submit a formal bid for this round.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) May 17, 2024

Charlotte is interested but has not yet submitted a formal bid. I don’t know all of the specifics around the decision or the situation, but if Pittsburgh and Denver are the two teams that have submitted bids, then it would make sense that one of the two cities will host in 2026 with the other in 2027.

WPXI’s Jenna Harner interviewed several people close to the process in Pittsburgh in an article on Sunday, and the VisitPittsburgh CEO said that the level of detail the league is getting into at this point in the process seems promising for Pittsburgh. That would suggest 2026 could be the likely outcome, but we won’t have to wait long to find out.

The city of Detroit broke the draft attendance record with 775,000 fans over three days last month. That brought in an estimated $165 million in net economic impact for the city. Hosting the draft would be an event unlike any other that Pittsburgh has hosted, and it would be a welcome economic boon for the city.

Roger Goodell appeared on The Pat McAfee Show during the 2024 NFL Draft and said “that may be coming soon” when asked about Pittsburgh potentially hosting a future draft, so all signs point positive for the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh.

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Denver, CO

PFF named Quinn Meinerz the Broncos’ most underrated player

Published

19 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Press Room

PFF named Quinn Meinerz the Broncos’ most underrated player

Pro Football Focus went about finding every team’s most underrated player and with the Denver Broncos they went with guard Quinn Meinerz. I’m not sure how underrated he is outside of Denver, but he is surely rated very highly among us Broncos fans.

Pro Football Focus

He was already called the Broncos ‘secret superstar’ back in January by this same PFF outlet, so he certainly hasn’t been underrated by them. In their offensive linemen grades, Meinerz came in fifth overall and third among the guard position.

5. RG QUINN MEINERZ, DENVER BRONCOS: 83.7
Meinerz’s movement ability and strength at the point of attack are incredible assets on the interior of Sean Payton’s offensive line. The Broncos guard proved to be a wrecking ball on the move, amassing the league’s best interior run-blocking grade when pulling (88.3). While he was limited to just 17 pull blocks this past season, his incredible 41.2% impact block rate ranked first among interior linemen with 10 or more.

That 83.7 is one of the better overall grades we’ve seen from an offensive lineman in Denver over the last decade and his 88.7 overall run blocking grade is just insane. He is just the type of guard that fits Sean Payton’s run-heavy scheme, so he is definitely one of the better draft picks in recent years.

In fact, I like the Broncos offensive line heading into a season for once. It seems like they have found a good mix of players there, but we’ll have to wait and see how they go about filling the hole left by Lloyd Cushenberry’s departure. Either way, I’m liking what Payton has done so far with the offensive line.

Horse Tracks

All eyes are on Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix
As quarterback Bo Nix went through the many texts and calls he received after being drafted by the Denver Broncos, he saw a message of support from Hall of Famer John Elway, someone who knows the exact path Nix is embarking on.

Russell Wilson Will Want To Show He’s ‘Still The Guy’ Against Broncos In Week 2
Mike Golic Sr. lists Russell Wilson’s return to Denver in Week 2 as his most anticipated reunion of the season.

Denver Broncos could resurrect career of former All-Pro wide receiver
A wide receiver currently sitting on the free-agent market could make sense for the Denver Broncos for more than one reason.

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