Fans ‘Jumped For Joy’ When MPJ Left – But The SHOCKING Truth About Denver’s Defense Goes Deeper Than One Player!

The collective sigh of relief, some might say joyous roar, that erupted when the Denver Nuggets parted ways with Michael Porter Jr. wasn’t just palpable; it was practically a seismic event. For years, the frustration surrounding MPJ’s defensive contributions had simmered, then boiled over. Now, with Johnson stepping into the fray, the narrative is an obvious one: *upgrade*. But what if the “upgrade” merely masks a much uglier, deeply uncomfortable truth about the Nuggets’ championship defense?

The Unbearable Lightness of Being Michael Porter Jr. on Defense

Let’s not mince words. Michael Porter Jr. was, by the numbers, one of the worst defenders in the entire league. We’re talking about a dismal 7th percentile in defensive Estimated Plus-Minus. That’s not just bad; that’s statistically anemic. As one fan bluntly put it, “Mpj always looked so lost on D. Any player would be an improvement lol.” And they weren’t wrong. Game tapes showed defenders breezing by him, his shot-contesting efforts often non-existent, and rebounds frequently gathered by opponents right around him. “Liturally jumped for joy when we heard mpj was getting traded,” confessed another, highlighting the sheer relief felt by many who endured years of watching defenders “drive right by him for easy scores.” There’s also the nagging whisper that his defensive engagement took a nosedive “ever since he got that contract,” adding another bitter layer to his departure.

A Consistent Defensive Liability, Finally Addressed

It wasn’t just an off-night; it was a consistent, undeniable pattern. While his offensive flashes were sometimes elite, his defensive shortcomings were a gaping wound the Nuggets constantly tried to patch. The move to Johnson, even if not a defensive savant himself, represents a colossal shift from historically terrible to merely average. Johnson’s 36th percentile in D-EPM might not scream “All-Defense,” but it’s a giant leap from the defensive abyss MPJ occupied.

Johnson: A Breath of Fresh Air, Or Just Less Toxic?

So, Johnson arrives, heralded as a defensive improvement. And yes, going from the 7th percentile to the 36th percentile is indeed a significant leap. It’s like swapping out a flat tire for one merely low on air – still not perfect, but infinitely better. He’s not being asked to be a lockdown artist, especially with defensive stalwarts like Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon shouldering the toughest assignments.

Escaping Brooklyn’s Shadows

Furthermore, Johnson lands in an environment tailor-made for his success. His stint in Brooklyn was, to put it mildly, brutal: overused, battling injuries, burdened with responsibilities beyond his scope. Now, he joins a title-contending roster with veteran depth and a proven, cohesive system. With Nikola Jokić theoretically anchoring the paint, Johnson can focus on his specific role, rather than carrying an impossible defensive load. This isn’t just a fresh start; it’s a golden opportunity.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Is Denver’s ‘Anchor’ Sinking the Ship?

But here’s where the sensational headlines truly meet reality, and it’s a reality many fans might not want to confront. While Johnson’s arrival fixes the glaring MPJ problem, does it actually fix the *Nuggets’ defense*? The original article suggested Jokić was “anchoring the paint,” providing Johnson a secure defensive environment. Yet, a deeper dive into the numbers and fan sentiment reveals a far more unsettling picture.

“It’s laughable to say he’s anchoring the paint,” one comment seethed, “when the Nuggets ranked 22nd-24th in opponents points in the paint.” This isn’t just a slight statistical anomaly; it’s a full-blown red flag. The very idea of Jokić as a dominant interior defender is called into question by cold, hard facts. Remember that fateful Game 7 against OKC? Their path to victory was clear: “they figured out the way to beat that zone that was killing them was to attack the paint and lobs.” Teams with athletic bigs, like the Minnesota Timberwolves, seemingly “not bothered by the size and get offensive rebounds” against Denver.

Beyond MPJ: A Systemic Defensive Vulnerability?

So, while MPJ’s defensive ghost may no longer haunt the small forward position, the Nuggets might be facing a specter of their own making: a systemic defensive vulnerability that goes far beyond one player. Johnson is an upgrade, undoubtedly. But if the team’s core defensive strategies and paint protection remain porous, is this really the massive defensive leap it’s being sold as? Or is it simply a temporary bandage on a much larger, and far more concerning, wound that could ultimately undermine their championship aspirations? Fans cheered for MPJ’s exit, but perhaps they should be asking tougher questions about the defense that remains.