BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Unencumbered by the schematic restraints that characterized his seven years in Denver and kindled his eagerness to start anew, Michael Porter Jr. turned to the basket and sized up his opponent. His eyes narrowed as his nearest teammate cleared out through the lane, taking a defender with him. That left Jamal Murray alone, guarding Porter two steps inside the 3-point line on the right wing.
Porter was free to act on instinct. He was working with a 7-inch height advantage over Murray, but as the Nuggets know well, it might not have mattered who was standing in his way.