The weight of expectations, even of outsized hope, is not new to Kevin Porter Jr. Players that reach the NBA before their 20th birthday grow accustomed to the spotlight, to the demands they place on themselves often exceeding any that can be put on them. Porter knew they were there still, perhaps greater than ever before for him, as he joined a struggling, injury-plagued Rockets team stepping away from one era and searching for the sort of hope that can come with talent so obvious and so young. Porter, 20, barely gave any of that a thought. Even any extra attention that will come as he makes his way back after his somewhat contentious departure from Cleveland, a split that allowed the Rockets to get him for a second-round pick unlikely to ever be sent, was not a concern. “I’ve always felt like I could make it, no matter what I do,” Porter said. “If it is outside of basketball, I’m going to give it 110. If I’m passionate about it, I can make it. Basketball being the No. 1 priority for me, I definitely feel I can make it big in this league.” This was his second chance, Porter said. It could be the right fit, a good mix not just of opportunity and need, but of a young player and a team determined to help guide him. Porter on Wednesday returned from his wildly successful stint in the G League bubble where he led the lead in scoring (24.1 points per game) and was second in assists (7.3,) all after sitting out for nearly a year and making the transition from shooting guard to the point. His return was on schedule, part of a plan he and the Rockets put in pace after the Jan. 22 trade. In xx minutes against Sacramento, he played 29 minutes and scored 13 points with 10 assists. “He was behind,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said. “He didn’t have a training camp. The week or so he was with us, he was really great. Smart. Worked hard. Did everything we asked him to do. Everything was great. “It would be a longer project absent the G League. This was a great way of getting him up to speed, something we discussed with him. He was all-in on it.” Porter was not far removed from the Rockets’ thoughts, however. He said he heard from Stone, Rockets coach Stephen Silas or assistant coach John Lucas nearly every day. He laughed at the idea of recognizing Lucas’ familiar rasp on the phone in just a word or two and stories he has heard not just of Lucas’ time as a lefthanded Rockets point guard, as Porter now is too, but of Lucas’ time as a professional tennis player. Silas spoke of watching nine of the Vipers’ 15 games and of the impressions his young point guard left. “Playing the point pretty much exclusively and making plays for himself and his teammates,” Silas said. “He’s super skilled. His ball-handling is good. He’ll be a part of what we’re doing. But him getting in shape, and him getting game reps and having the success that (he had) down there is important. And it’s important to build on that.” That, along with the handful of practices before he was assigned to the Vipers, was the first part of the plan. The next part had Porter skip the G League post-season to take a weekend off and then practice on Wednesday before beginning play in the back-to-back against the Kings and Jazz as John Wall’s point guard understudy. “Me and John have known each other way before this time,” Porter said. “We already have that chemistry. We clicked right away when I came in. He is like a mentor to me. He paved the way for me, being the starting point guard and I’m the backup. Definitely, there’s a lot of things we can talk about and our relationship is going to grow over time.” Wall said he has “been a fan of his since high school. I watched him a lot. He’s a very talented guy, can score the ball, competes at a high level, creates for others. That’s another guy that can come out there and make plays for us.” The Rockets could get a chance to work with that talent because several incidents in Cleveland led to the Cavaliers’ decision to move Porter before he played a game or went through a practice in his second season. Porter had been suspended indefinitely as a USC freshman for “conduct issues” but missed just two games. That could have led to him sliding to the final pick of the 2019 first round. He was viewed as a potential steal when he averaged 10 points on 44.2 percent shooting in 50 games as a rookie before the Cavs’ season ended early when they were not among the teams in the bubble. He was away from the team this season following a one-car accident in which he was arrested for improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle, failure to control the vehicle and misdemeanor possession of mar1juana. All of the charges were dismissed when it was determined he had only briefly borrowed the car and the firearm was registered to the owner with a concealed weapon permit. But after an incident in the Cavs’ locker room when Porter reportedly returned to the team and was angry to find his locker had been moved, the Cavaliers made him available in trades. “There is a perspective that is about me,” Porter said of the incidents. “It is up to whoever wants to take it if I’m a bad guy or a good guy. Everyone that knows me knows who I am and knows a lot of the things that are out there aren’t particularly true. I don’t really pay attention to that. “Everyone doesn’t get second chances, especially in a business like this I’m very, very grateful to have this chance with Houston. They took me in with all my flaws and background and basically said we’re going to grow from it. Definitely, I feel good with this opportunity.” With that in mind, the Rockets made sure Porter felt connected to the Rockets while with the Vipers. “They made sure I was in a good state of mind and a good situation outside of basketball,” Porter said. “They always take care of us. Definitely, John, coach Silas, GM Stone checked in a lot and made sure I was preparing myself to be back a part of them.” Of Lucas, a long-time counselor for NBA players and many others who he is sure to have more to share now that Porter is in sight, Porter said, “John is a great dude and I’m happy he’s on our side and he’s on my side.” There will be a great deal to learn on the court, especially defensively. But at 6-4 with an explosive first step, shooting range and a developing eye as a passer, the potential is obvious. The Rockets saw it up close when he scored 24 points on 9 of 15 shooting in 29 minutes against them last season, the second-most he scored as a rookie. He spent much of that game in duel with James Harden. He had worked out with Harden before his rookie season, calling the former Rockets star a “big brother” and one of his “idols in the league.” After the game, Harden told him to “Just keep going.” Neither would have guessed that a season later Porter would be in the Rockets’ backcourt and Harden would not. That could bring pressure as fans yearn for reasons for optimism. It had been five years since the Rockets’ offered that in the form of a first-round pick. The Rockets have not hinted at expectation so grand. But Porter seemed comfortable with carrying hopes he seemed to share. “Everything that happened with James, how great he was, they see something a little in me that they saw in James,” Porter said. “I think they just want to take this chance on being another franchise player or someone that can contribute in a great manner. “I feel good about having them behind me and having them to contribute and just have that light on this team. I feel good and hopefully, I can fulfil what they are hoping for.” jonathan.feigen@chron.com twitter.com/jonathan_feigen
My big takeaway with KPJ so far... PLEASE Rockets FO...get him some guys that can shoot and score. Let him be the Nets James Harden, with guys around him that can take the load off and make his job easy.
KPJ better not **** up my top 4 pick lol I was so excited and ready to compete at the beginning of the season, but with Wood missing now like half the season and being at the bottom of the west, I mean we got to try to get that top 4 lol KJP Top 4 pick Martin Tate Wood Our future is looking bright
We are going to have to rename Rafel Stone a "STONE COLD STEALER" THIS Porter move was insane. His understanding and execution is unbelievable.
Yup. Wood is in that same category. Tate and KMJ also look like great pickups. This season is shot, but Stone may have put us in a position to speedrun this rebuild.
I think the biggest thing I saw thats stands out is how much of a willing passer he is. On almost every play he's looking to pass, the only bad shots he took are when plays kind of broken down. I will say he did take some heat check 3's that missed, but you have to take those to keep the defense honest. He's like the opposite of a blackhole on offense.
That could bring pressure as fans yearn for reasons for optimism. It had been five years since the Rockets’ offered that in the form of a first-round pick. The Rockets have not hinted at expectation so grand. But Porter seemed comfortable with carrying hopes he seemed to share. “Everything that happened with James, how great he was, they see something a little in me that they saw in James,” Porter said. “I think they just want to take this chance on being another franchise player or someone that can contribute in a great manner. “I feel good about having them behind me and having them to contribute and just have that light on this team. I feel good and hopefully, I can fulfil what they are hoping for.” jonathan.feigen@chron.com twitter.com/jonathan_feigen[/QUOTE] ******************************************************************** Thanks for posting this HP, some really good insights! I've been so excited about KPJ watching him in the G-League and he hasn't disappointed in the NBA. A few thoughts and observations... - God is finally shining some sunshine on Houston; weird that Wall gets hurt in practice and can't play, which allows KPJ to take the lead in his first games after call up - With all of the coaching and scouting how has this kid not been groomed to be a PG? Our Rockets look REALLY smart in moving him to a lead guard position, because this kid is a natural playmaker--he's not perfect and gets in trouble sometime when he's caught in the air, but nothing bad - Dude looks bigger than 6'4"... his USC bio lists him at 6'6" and that seems closer to being accurate https://usctrojans.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kevin-porter-jr-/8800 - He's got the potential to be a pretty good defender; with his reach and instincts he creates problems for ball handlers. He's also showing the willingness to scrap for the ball, which I love--see him diving on the floor and wrestling for the ball--he wants it - He's already an elite finisher; his explosion, ability to squeeze through narrow creases and creativity at the hoop are dare I say "Jordanese". Think about that for a sec, I know we all see Harden in his game, but KPJ is a different kind of athlete, he's got really special physical traits and natural ball handling skills--replay that NASTY HS clip that D-Rock posted--that was simply spectacular - Some have wished he would be more aggressive, but I see him being smart. He didn't want to come to the big show and try to take over, he wanted to instead involve his teammates and blend into the team. However, I do think that's part of his 3pt shooting woes, he's trying to be overly conscious of his shots--that eased a bit in his second game and should get better as he gets more comfortable - His role going forward--when Wall returns he may become our 6th man until Oladipo is traded. I do think he can play some 2 with Wall and take 1 when JW rests. Ideally he would be our new starting 1, but as long as JW is here that probably won't happen - Rockets games are must see TV! I couldn't really watch them the last month, I was tuning in the Vipers instead. Now with the Young Guns on board, it's exciting and fun--even in the tankathon run - Expectations going forward (Tankathon Watch)--when Wood returns we're going to win some games, luckily we have a really tough schedule from here on, but a Top 4 position could be in jeopardy. Hopefully, Stone is able to jettison the vets and get some young talent, picks and/or expirings. Ladies and Gentlemen, KPJ is the H-Town Hope. You can say its too soon or he hasn't proven himself over a season or S44 you're full of BBQ, but personally I'm more excited about this young player's potential than anyone I've watched in a very, very long time.
Wow, I had no idea that John Wall and KPJ know each other professionally. The pupil is looking like the "master". Wall needs to wake up and work with the kid plus Wood, KJM, Tate. I want us to win, but I'm more than okay with tough losses. We need the 4th pick at the least. I believe Silver will punish Houston for blatant tanking. He undoubtedly changed the rules to ensure Lebron got the 4th pick. I don't think that would have happened if Lebron was in Cleveland. @ApacheWarrior @Nook @Deckard @D-rock @Clutch
why are they going to get punished? It's not tanking on purpose. Wood went down , Olabricko looks like he just picked up a basketball
“He was great. Kevin was super positive and understood the reasoning behind it. We laid out the plan for him beforehand and he embraced it,” Vipers GM Travis Stockbridge said of Porter Jr.’s assignment. “You could see it in the way he interacted with his teammates and the rest of the staff.” “Biggest thing was, he just hadn’t played in 11 or 12 months. We wanted him to use this as a springboard to get comfortable in our system and everything we want to do. It helped him get used to the roles and expectations he’ll have,” Stockbridge continued. “It was also just a way for him to get his legs back under him, playing 5-on-5 basketball again. It’s a lot different from just working out in the gym, so this was an opportunity for us to use RGV to ease him in slowly instead of just throwing him into the fire in Houston.” “If he was going to be involved in Houston, he needed to take advantage of this opportunity and he did that,” head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah said. “He worked just like every other player and did a great job of accepting the situation and his role.” “That’s something we pride ourselves in between Houston and RGV. Everything is an extension of what’s going on in Houston,” Stockbridge added. “It’s not two different organizations. It’s an extension of culture. We try to have as much togetherness as we can between the two staffs.” “We put that plan in place very early on,” Stockbridge said of Porter Jr.’s time with RGV. “We were proactive, and Kevin deserves credit for being so open.” “He can do so many things. He has the ability to play with or without the ball and that means creating for his teammates or getting shots for himself,” Stockbridge pointed out. “Throughout the season, we talked about needing more rebounding from him. You could see him making the extra effort. It all comes down to his versatile skills.”
That’s the Rockets twenty-something Rice intern Morey was grooming. Good to see he’s still got the Vipers job
Needs to work on 1. His handles 2. His shooting 3.his defense his handle does not seem tight enough. He always seems close to losing the dribble to me. If he can get his handles up that’s one of the primary skills that elite guards have in the nba. Rock solid handles that allow them to get to their spots easier. his shooting is looking questionable in the 2 games he has played. Hopefully that’s a natural development for him but he won’t be a star without shooting better his defense needs work. Gets blown by easily now. Like Harden at the beginning.
I know you're right, but I don't trust the League office because of it's bias towards the Lakers, GS.
He does almost lose the ball quite often, especially when he's looking down the court trying to figure out how to pick apart the defense, it's like he stops thinking about what he's doing with the ball sometimes. I think that's something that will come along with experience. His shot on the other hand, that needs a lot of work this off-season. I don't think it's fundamentally broken or anything, but for him to maximize the player he can be, he needs to be able to hit the 3 at something like 35% or better and that only comes with putting in the work. Since he's only about 5 years old, there's plenty of time for him to develop into the guy we all hope he'll develop into.
FWIW, he doesn't seem to be getting ripped very often. Harden fumbles around with the ball quite often when sizing up an opponent and I think defenders are already showing him respect by not hounding him as he's fumbling with it. Good defenders can sense when someone is genuinely losing their handle on the ball. Obviously needs some work, but I don't think his ball handling is a concern at all at this point in time
