Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr. started in the NBA as a reticent prospect. But over the years, he has learned to find his voice. He has become unafraid to speak his truth, even if he might ruffle some feathers.
Porter is expected to carry the Nets, who have struggled to garner attention because of their continued mediocrity. Clearly, they want to change that in the upcoming season. But it will not be easy, especially since even their home crowd has not been really supportive.
The 28-year-old Porter expressed his frustration about it, citing their recent clash with the Philadelphia 76ers at Barclays Center.
“We just played a preseason game the other night against Philly. You would've thought we were in Philly. We gotta get the Brooklyn Nets fans back in there and actually be louder than the opposing team. When we play (New York) Knicks, (Boston) Celtics, Philly, (Los Angeles) Lakers, it's mostly their fans. It's crazy,” said Porter in a video posted by SNEAKO.
Michael Porter Jr. tells SNEAKO that there were MORE Philadelphia 76ers fans than Brooklyn Nets fans at their own HOME preseason game, revealing that opposing teams regularly take over their arena. 😭💀
"We just played a preseason game the other night against Philly. You… pic.twitter.com/ZYf7puXTUx
— Daily SNEAKO (@dailysneako) October 13, 2026
The Nets beat the 76ers, 114-108. According to ESPN, 16,785 people were in attendance. But most likely, the majority were there to watch LeBron James make his preseason debut with the 76ers. Philadelphia fielded its new starting unit of James, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid.
Article Continues BelowLast season, Brooklyn averaged 17,412 fans per home game, which was the eighth-fewest in the NBA, according to ESPN.
The Nets are not considered a contender in the Eastern Conference, with Porter, Julius Randle, Egor Demin, Day'Ron Sharpe, and Mikel Brown Jr. leading the core. Still, they could pull off some surprises if they find the right mix and ideal culture.
Then perhaps the home crowd will finally have something to get loud about.

