Sunday’s matchup between the Rockets and Cavaliers was the first one in Cleveland with Kevin Porter Jr. playing for Houston.
While Porter was traded by Cleveland in January 2021 after several concerning off-court incidents, an injury prevented him from playing in last season’s meeting there. Because the Rockets and Cavaliers play in different conferences, they only travel to each other’s home once per season, and the 2020-21 meeting came when Porter was still ramping up to play with Houston’s G League affiliate.
Thus, Sunday was the first on-location reunion for Porter and the franchise that drafted him in the 2019 first round. Now 22 years old and in his fourth NBA season, Porter is having statistically his best year as Houston’s starting point guard, averaging 18.6 points (43.6% FG, 35.0% on 3-pointers), 5.9 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game.
But with Porter, on-court production is only part of the journey. According to head coach Stephen Silas and general manager Rafael Stone, as well as former head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in Cleveland, he’s also developed on a personal level during these two-plus years.
From Sunday’s pregame media sessions, here’s what each of them had to say on Porter and his growth.
Stephen Silas on Kevin Porter Jr.
Silas on Porter (via Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle):
I’m really proud of him. I’m happy for him. After everything he’s been through from the day he left here to tonight, there’s been a lot. He has matured and grown, changed positions, and done a good job.
Rafael Stone on Kevin Porter Jr.
Stone on Porter (via Vanessa Richardson, AT&T SportsNet):
He’s growing up, just like everyone does in their early twenties. He’s physically, mentally, and emotionally a different person than when he came to Houston two years ago, and in a very positive way. He’s worked really hard. I’m very happy with his effort to improve himself, on and off the court.
JB Bickerstaff on Kevin Porter Jr.
Bickerstaff on Porter (via Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle):
I think Houston is a perfect place for him. Stephen [Silas] is a perfect coach for him, a guy who cares about him as more than just a basketball player, but cares about him as a person, and is patient and wants to help him … develop. He’s just getting started, too.
ICYMI, Kevin Porter Jr. happy to play in Cleveland for the first time since he left. https://t.co/Ha1w1krQDW https://t.co/zzJG4pXwTd
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) March 26, 2023
