Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. is having a great run, averaging 24.2 points per game in this NBA season. But besides that, he is also finding himself in the mud for some of his words and statements that he has been saying out loud lately.
Recently, during a guest appearance on the “Ball in the Family” podcast, MPJ said he could defeat top female college basketball players just as a teenager. Furthermore, he also added how he would have been able to dominate in the WNBA when he was in the eighth grade.
To add some context, Lonzo Ball started out the topic by saying he would have gone “crazy” on the court against WNBA players when he was in ninth grade. But Porter Jr. took it up a notch further. He said,
“I’m probably going with 8th grade because I have real experience doing this. I played my sisters. They played at the University of Missouri, and I was still a young kid. They had me playing on the scout team, and they had a few WNBA players on their team, like Sophie Cunningham and a couple others.”
He also added,
“I was in the 7th or 8th grade, going crazy. So, I have real-life experience. It’s just a difference, and I wish this would stop being a conversation because it should be common sense. I appreciate common sense. I feel sometimes that’s lost a little bit.”
Michael Porter Jr. says he wants people to stop comparing WNBA players to men and claims he would’ve dominated the WNBA as an eighth grader
“I’m probably going with 8th grade because I have real experience doing this. I played my sisters. They played at The University of… pic.twitter.com/s2EYqH2Vcr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 19, 2025
Many fans are finding the timeline of MPJ’s narrative quite absurd, as Sophie Cunningham and MPJ are 29 and 27 years old, respectively. However, Sophie Cunningham seemed to agree with the idea MPJ was trying to present. On her podcast, when co-host West Wilson brought up this topic, Cunningham said, “I would say that that’s probably true. It’s probably true! I don’t want to be unrealistic or delusional. Like, men are just stronger, bigger, athletic. They just are a different build. So if you put them up against females, yeah, they’re gonna win.” However, Cunningham also added that it wouldn’t be a fair matchup.
Analyst Robin Lundberg reacted to this whole exchange and praised how calmly Sophie Cunningham handled Porter Jr.’s statements. Although he suspects Cunningham to catch some heat from the WNBA fans and fraternity, Lundberg was amazed at Cunningham not taking it as seriously as she should have. He said,
“She’s not afraid to speak her mind. She did it very calmly, that’s what I liked about her. She had some fun with, she didn’t take it too seriously, she addressed it calmly. We should probably suggest a moratorium on Michael Porter Jr. WNBA vs. Boy tie. i feel like he’s reached his quota.” (7:57)
While MPJ is impressing everyone in the NBA with his performance this season, his off-the-court presence is drawing quite a lot of negative attention. Since the off-season, MPJ has given several controversial statements which weren’t taken in good taste by many.
Brooklyn Nets Ask Michael Porter Jr. to Refrain From Controversial Podcast Takes
It seems like Michael Porter Jr.’s controversial and hot takes on the podcast are not going unnoticed by his team, the Brooklyn Nets. During his appearance on the “Ball in the Family” podcast, MPJ revealed how the Nets issued a warning to him while speaking on certain topics. He was also asked to be more aware of his statements. Explaining the same, MPJ said,
“Even the (Nets) organization, we just had conversations that they would appreciate it if I steered clear of certain topics. That’s why the WNBA thing is just a topic that’s kind of sensitive nowadays. I try to be just aware of that. … But for the most part, I’m chilling. I’m not trying to say nothing crazy no more.”
Nets GM Sean Marks also expressed his thoughts on Porter Jr.’s off-court presence over the offseason. Though he did not delve into the specifics of it, he did say that MPJ is still adjusting to a new norm now that he has joined a new organization.
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