the thing about a good port is that even if the duration is relatively short, the torque (VE) beyond peak torque RPM does not drop off very rapidly, therefore the motor still makes good/great HP despite having what (on paper) looks like too small a cam. This holds true as long as the induction/compression and exhaust are also suitably matched. Fuel injection has a ton to do with that as well because you only need to move AIR through the manifold (fuel displaces about 7% or so of the available area of a wet port)

The modern Hemi or the Chevy LS2 are very good examples of what an efficient port can do.

I have an '06 trailblazer SS (I use to tow my Mopars) that at 364 cubes makes ~430 at the crank and pushes 4800 pounds to 13.6's at 102+ mph with really only a PCM tune and an electric fan conversion. The cam duration is something like 204/211 @.050

A good port and a small cam will still make great power and very broad torque. Cam timing is a big factor, but it isn't the only way to extend the RPM range.

Where you run into limitations is a proportionally huge port (like a Cleveland Boss 302) on a small displacement motor, it's hard to avoid a peaky (light switch) type torque and power curve with that type scenario. you effectively kill as much duration as you can to try to give it some "passable" bottom end....and (like ford) you gear the wee out of it (4.33 gears, etc).