Nuggets speak to Michael Porter Jr about ‘population control’ claim
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the entire world into disarray with many conspiracy theories emerging as people try to rationalize and understand just what is happening. One such person is Denver Nuggets’ second-year forward Michael Porter Jr who took to Snapchat recently to explain to his fans what his thoughts on the matter were.
“Personally, I think the coronavirus is being used obviously for a bigger agenda,” Porter said on Snapchat, via ESPN. “It’s being used for population control in just terms of being able to control the masses of people. I mean, because of the virus the whole world is being controlled.
“You’re required to wear masks,” Porter added. “And who knows what will happen when this vaccine comes out? You might have to have the vaccine in order to travel. Like, that would be crazy.”
Needless to say, the Nuggets were not entirely pleased with Porter Jr’s comments and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly ensured that he spoke to the player about it according to Denver’s head coach Michael Malone.
“I know that Tim Connelly, our front office, has talked to Michael about his comments long before I realized what was said,” Malone said on a Zoom conference call with reporters, via ESPN. “So it has been [discussed with] him; he understands the situation. Once again, we as an organization, I’m not going to put a muzzle on anybody.
“If somebody has a strong belief on something, they have the platform and freedom to use that. We will just try to educate guys so that they understand the impact of what they may be saying.”
Malone made it quite clear that players are allowed to have their own beliefs and can have an opinion on current affairs, but they need to be more careful in the current climate.
“Obviously, I’m not the thought police,” Malone said, via ESPN. “I’m not going to tell any of our players what they can and can’t say. All I would say is just be sensitive to the current situation in our country and throughout the world in regards to coronavirus.
“Michael Porter and any other player on our roster, they’re entitled to their opinions and ability to have free speech, and I will respect that as long as it doesn’t become a distraction. What Michael stated, being around our players this morning at breakfast and practice, has not become a distraction at all.”
The Nuggets are scheduled to play their first meaningful game since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in mid-March on Saturday against the Miami Heat. Denver currently sits third in the competitive Western Conference prior to playing their seeding games that will take place before the playoffs kick off. As it stands, the Nuggets would meet the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs
The NBA is finishing the current campaign in Orlando, Florida, with players staying inside the league’s bubble at the Walt Disney World resort to ensure the health and safety of all players. Despite Porter’s comments, the 22-year-old did not opt out of playing the remainder of the season although all players did have the option.
