C.J. Holmes: Michael Porter Jr.'s four-game dip doesn't rewrite season with Nets

"Before the break, Porter was building the kind of season that usually earns you a real All-Star conversation. In 41 games, he averaged 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 47.7% from the field, 38.5% from 3-point range and 85.3% at the free-throw line. That wasn't a hot week. That was a half-season of production, the kind that puts a scorer in the room even if he doesn't end up getting the call."

"The thing is, this slump has a shape. Porter's still converting his 2-point field goals at a 65.7% clip. That's not a player who's lost his touch everywhere. That's a player whose jumper isn't cooperating, even while the rest of the scoring package is still alive. The misses stand out because that shot is usually the cleanest part of what he does."

"I could be playing better. I've got to get back in rhythm. Before the All-Star break I didn't play a couple games, and then I honestly didn't do much over the break, so I've got to get back in rhythm and play better. It's the feel. It's the timing."

Michael Porter Jr. demonstrated All-Star caliber performance before the All-Star break, averaging 25.0 points with elite efficiency across all shooting categories in 41 games. Post-break, his production has declined sharply across four appearances, averaging 20.0 points with significantly reduced efficiency. His three-point shooting has been particularly affected, converting only 17.2% from distance compared to 38.5% before the break. However, his two-point conversion remains strong at 65.7%, indicating the issue is isolated to his perimeter shot rather than a complete loss of touch. Porter attributes the slump to disrupted rhythm caused by limited playing time before and during the All-Star break, emphasizing how timing and feel are fragile for shooters.

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