Nuggets Forward Michael Porter Jr. To Compete In NBA 2K Players Tournament

NBA basketball may be suspended, but Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. will soon enter a different kind of competition as he participates in the newly-minted NBA 2K Players Tournament.

“I’ve been practicing the last two days, been on the sticks a lot,” Porter said in an interview on Altitude’s Sports Social. “But before that I really wasn’t playing a lot, so I’m kind of rusty and I know D-Books plays a lot.”

The “D-Books” in question is Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who is slated as Porter’s first opponent in the single-elimination video game tournament. The seeding for the competition is based on each player’s NBA 2K rating, followed by tenure. Booker’s rating of 86 places him in the sixth seed, while Porter landed in the 12th seed with a rating of 81.

Announced on March 31 by the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), this will be the first ever NBA 2K Players Tournament and will feature 16 NBA players headlined by Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets and Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks.

According to the NBA’s press release, the winner of the competition “will be crowned the ultimate NBA 2K20 champion and select a charity beneficiary to receive a $100,000 donation from 2K, the NBA and the NBPA in support of ongoing coronavirus relief efforts.”

Porter may have his work cut out for him in facing Booker as his first opponent. According to Odds Shark, Booker is the odds-on favorite to win the whole tournament at +350, with Porter in a three-way tie for second-to-worst odds at +2000. Booker is favored by 4.5 points in the pair’s direct matchup.

Nevertheless, Porter appears to be up for the challenge. “Honestly, my confidence is pretty high going into it,” he said in the interview. “I’m just naturally good at 2K. I’m horrible at every other game… but 2K, I’m pretty good.”

With $100,000 going to the winner’s coronavirus relief charity of choice, the cause for the event is good as well, and although fans still have to wait to see real basketball action return to the court, the tournament provides them with a way to connect with NBA players on a different level during the hiatus. NBA senior vice president of global partnerships Matt Holt described the competition as “an ongoing effort [by the NBA, NBPA and 2K] to stay connected with NBA fans around the world, while also giving back in this time of need.”

Coverage of the tournament will begin tonight on ESPN with a preview show starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT followed by the tip off at 7:30 of the competition’s first matchup between 16th seed Derrick Jones Jr. of the Miami Heat and Durant, the top seed. Subsequent matchups will continue through April 12.

For his part, Porter, who says he has never played against Booker, appears to be looking forward to their competition, even as he’s aware of the challenge he’s up against. “I know D-Book is like a hardcore gamer, so I’m excited to see how I play against him.”

Here are the seedings and 2K ratings for the 16 players in the tournament:

1. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets (96)
2. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (90)
3. Hassan Whiteside, Portland Trail Blazers (87)
4. Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz (87)
5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (86)
6. Andre Drummond, Cleveland Cavaliers (85)
7. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls (85)
8. Montrezl Harrell, LA Clippers (85)
9. Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers (85)
10. Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns (85)
11. DeMarcus Cousins (81)
12. Michael Porter Jr
13. Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards (79)
14. Patrick Beverley, LA Clippers (78)
15. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings (78)
16. Derrick Jones Jr, Miami Heat (78)