Michael Porter, Jr. isn’t experienced enough to be top pick for ESPN

Missouri’s Michael Porter, Jr. did not make the top spot in ESPN’s ‘dream team.’ Sure, why not? What else is new? And the saga of “Mizzou isn’t good enough” continues.

We all know that Michael Porter, Jr. being selected second on some know-it-all’s dream team has no bearing on how MPJ will actually do when the rubber hits the road, but as usual, it’s another ranking where we feel someone has been slighted.

I suppose that the projected No. 1 overall 2018 NBA draft pick was selected second behind North Carolina’s Joel Berry, II, who was the “Most Outstanding Player” from the Tar Heels’ recent title run could carry a little weight.

On the other hand, that an athlete from Missouri made the top 5 in an ESPN ranking also impresses me. So I’m not sure if I should feel slighted or elated. I mean after all, No. 2 isn’t bad, and it takes the pressure from being No. 1.

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As if sensing an underlying tone, Myron Medcalf of ESPN stated, almost begrudgingly, “Yes, we’ll add the projected top pick in the 2018 NBA draft to the starting five.”

As if Medcalf heard, loud and clear, the amount of disrespect Missouri fans have endured since the program joined the SEC, but then the tone used was as if to soothe a whiny child.

"No. 2 pickMichael Porter, Jr., forward, Missouri TigersYes, we’ll add the projected top pick in the 2018 NBA draft to the starting five. Two months ago, Cuonzo Martin told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch the 6-foot-10 Porter played like a prep version of a Kevin Garnett-Kevin Durant hybrid. By all accounts, Porter on any team would dramatically elevate the potential of the program. He’s a big, polished athlete who can handle the ball, shoot 3-pointers, block and alter shots, and create a 40-minute offensive monsoon in transition."

While I could have done without the chiding tone, what he offered about Porter was actually really good. Porter draws comparisons to NBA talents Kevin Garnett and Durant. He also played one-on-one against Steph Curry, who he outplayed.

Next: Missouri Basketball: Living up to the hype

When a high school athlete entering his freshman season for a D-I program can out-talent a talented NBA player and draws comparisons to others, it’s probably a safe bet to hedge that he can be the No. 1 player on any current dream team.