Otto Porter introduced himself yesterday to a captivated national audience (Credits: Nate Shron, Getty Images) |
At a first glance, Otto Porter comes off as a lanky wing player who seems like he'd probably have an awkward game. He's not the fastest and he doesn't overwhelm you with his strength or size. But then you watch him play and his game just seems to flow. Everything comes so naturally to him; his whole game moves with the style and grace that is quite easy on the eyes. Offensively he is absolutely complete and his on-court IQ is through the roof. But what really separates his play from his companions is the effortlessness with which he executes. Not only does it look silky smooth, but it looks as if, at times, he's not even trying. Still, the effort consistently remains.
So then comes arguably the biggest game of his career on the road in the Carrier Dome and what does he do? Goes off for one of the most memorable regular season college performances we've ever seen. His 12-19, 33-point, eight-rebound, five-steal game on Saturday was not only eye popping on the stat sheet but it beyond passed the eye test. Porter was electric all night scoring from about every point on the floor. He was efficient from deep going 5-for-10, while slicing the Orange defense for multiple easy buckets.
As there always is in big-time performances by big-time players there were a few plays that stood out in my mind from yesterday and they all took place in the second half when Georgetown was making it's foot-on-the-throat run. After making back-to-back three pointers on a couple previous possessions, Porter picked off an errant Michael Carter-Williams pass turning it into a 2-on-2 the other way. With Syracuse in perfect defensive position to take a charge, the Hoya sophomore opted to pull up at the the free-throw line and swish a jumper. Again it wasn't so much about making the free-throw line jumper but it was manner that he did it. To simply have the wherewithal to think of pulling up in that situation in order to conserve energy is impressive enough. Yet, having the body control to stop yourself in a full sprint, pull up and perfectly nail a shot...it's just on another level. Of course he picked off another ugly 'Cuse pass on the next possession and hit D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera for a three-pointer that gave the Hoyas a eight point lead with a little more than 11 minutes remaining.
Obviously the more memorable daggers from Saturday's contest came a little bit later. With the Otto Porter show in full effect, Georgetown came out of a time out up four trying desperately to seal the deal on 'Cuse's 38-game home winning streak. But a good defensive possession by the Orangemen left the Hoyas with little time to get off a good shot. On cue, Jabril Trawick hit Otto Porter with time slipping away, who then rose and got off a deep three-point look. He was knocked down on the play, but the ball swished through the hoop, a whistle sounded and the Orange crowd stood in stunned silence. Porter swished the free-throw, Hoyas back up eight with five remaining and the game slipping from Syracuse's grasp.
You might as well have ended the game right there. Everyone in the building knew it. Otto Porter had just hushed the usually frenetic Carrier Dome crowd once and for all. Now came the fun part. The Hoyas with a seven point lead with a minute and a half remaining, essentially game in hand, fed a cutting Porter with a pass. Porter drew contact, contorted his body in mid-air sliding past the 'Cuse defender and laid the ball up as he was fading away. The ball danced with the rim for a few moments before falling and eliciting multiple jaw-drops across the country. Porter's final and-1 was a cherry on top of what had been a explosive, captivating performance that will most likely not be forgotten. And of course he swished the free throw.
Don't take this as Porter becoming the next NBA superstar. He could easily be the next Jeff Green, enthralling the Georgetown faithful by leading them to a Final Four before fizzling out as a mediocre NBA player. But what I am saying is for now take this guy seriously. Big players make big plays on big stages. Can you get any bigger than an #11 vs. #8 Georgetown-Syracuse game? Not too often. America, say hello to Otto Porter Jr., he'll be around for a while.
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