INDIANAPOLIS — “My mentality is simply to come back out and play basketball and be myself.”
That is Portland Path Blazers rookie Scott Henderson, hours away from the NBA Rising Stars Problem. He got here out, knocked down the shot, and scored 10 factors in a 40-35 loss within the evening’s four-team mini-tournament. It was the epitome of a quiet rookie season for Henderson, as soon as once more overshadowed by his friends.
Among the many sea of Tyrese Haliburton jerseys on the snowy streets of Indianapolis had been a couple of bearing Victor Wembanyama’s No. 1 — to match his choice within the 2023 NBA Draft. His Rookie of the 12 months battle with Chet Holmgren dominates the dialog about first-year gamers, they usually had been the primary attraction Friday.
Brandon Miller’s current rise has pushed Henderson additional down the rookie rankings, behind fellow first-round picks Jaime Jaquez Jr., Derek Energetic II, Keyonte George and Brandin Pozzimski .
When requested in regards to the success of different members of this yr’s rookie class, Henderson mentioned: “I find it irresistible. I am all the time going to indicate love. I am by no means going to hit on anyone, whether or not I believe they’re kind of. I simply attempt to Give the love again and understand we’re all on this collectively. It is enjoyable to see different individuals develop.”
They’re all right here to kick off the All-Star Weekend festivities, and it is the one present on the town. And there is Henderson, who gives one other alternative to not solely show that he belongs, however to re-establish himself as an elite member of the 2024 class – to step up and play basketball and be… Scoot.
Friday is not Henderson’s popping out celebration, however he believes he is getting nearer.
“I believe it is largely the little issues,” he informed Yahoo Sports activities, “persevering with to know the sport, sure conditions — the entire recreation. As some extent guard, you need to watch the entire recreation. I’ve to verify the massive man is sweet . I believe simply little issues like that can make me an incredible level guard on this league.”
There was a time when Henderson was the unquestioned No. 1 choose within the American draft. Solely Wembun Yama and Miller had been ranked forward of Henderson, and the Path Blazers felt assured sufficient in that choice that they traded franchise icon Damian Lillard to liberate their level guard of the long run. house. Henderson was a pure shooter — a 6-foot-3, 200-pound teenager with explosiveness and creativity.
But his rookie season was something however a logical subsequent step ahead. Henderson left highschool earlier than his senior yr and at 17 turned the youngest member ever to hitch the G-League. He performed for Ignite for 2 seasons and took part within the Rising Stars Problem annually. This was his third look and was speculated to showcase improvement in lieu of school beneath the NBA umbrella.
There have been indicators Friday of what was to come back. Easy mid-range bounce shot. Pull-Ups 3. Fingers of left hand roll over Walker Kessler. With Holmgren main the way in which, he stepped again and hesitantly dribbled for a circus layup (additionally a one).
He is within the movie room early to grind out tape with Portland assistants Vinnie Jeter and Scott Brooks, and within the gymnasium late to shoot with rookie teammate Rayon Rupert. His progress wasn’t linear, although. Henderson severely sprained his proper ankle 5 video games into the season, lacking three weeks and dropping his beginning job to veteran Malcolm Brogdon. Throughout the Christmas interval, Henderson averaged 26.1 minutes per recreation, 10.8 factors (37/25/78 taking pictures), 4.1 assists, 3.1 turnovers and a pair of.7 rebounds.
This isn’t the job of a probably transformative flooring common. Maybe that is what to anticipate from a first-year playmaker on a crew that is destined to fail. Possibly our expectations had been an excessive amount of, having seen him on this rising star stage twice earlier than. For no matter cause, Henderson did not develop into a star… Nonetheless.
So, who’s it that makes Henderson nonetheless consider in his skill to attain this purpose?
“S***,” he informed Yahoo Sports activities, “I rattling myself. Understanding the photographs aren’t going to fall, understanding tips on how to make them go in — that is approach, and that goes again to the way in which I practice at house. Mentally, I Simply ensuring I am all the time locked in – studying a e book, not enjoying video games all day. Issues like that actually simply preserve me locked in to a tee. That confidence comes from understanding that I am who I’m, and I am nonetheless a canine .”
Earlier on Friday, Henderson referred to as Allen Iverson the previous participant he most needed to work with, and his “Welcome to the NBA” second went up towards Russell Westbrook, who’s One other nice instance of his recreation.
“They had been cheering for us,” Henderson mentioned of the 123-111 loss to Westbrook’s Los Angeles Clippers within the season opener. “I used to be like, ‘Okay, I am right here now, so let’s Let’s kick the rating up a notch. .’”
Effectivity did not come as shortly for both Iverson or Westbrook. It takes time, particularly for younger level guards, and nobody is aware of that higher than Path Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, who at age 29 blossomed into an All-Star and future prospect. Corridor of Famer who beforehand performed for 5 totally different groups.
“Having Chauncey as a coach and a mentor, he informed me I might come to him anytime,” Henderson informed Yahoo Sports activities. “Having that on my aspect, having him as the pinnacle coach, it means so much as a result of I can belief him. I can belief the knowledge he is giving me. I can belief the place he is coming from as a result of he is telling me he is who I’m. “
Even when which means Billups could also be somewhat more durable on him than he’s on gamers at different positions.
“I’ve taken the laborious coaching very well,” added Henderson, who is 2 weeks shy of his twentieth birthday. “My dad was actually robust on me once I was rising up. He taught me classes and I am glad I went by these issues once I was youthful as a substitute of simply studying them now. I’ve coaches [Jason] Hart was not straightforward to educate final yr. Chauncey was attempting to educate me, but it surely was extra of a message than only a hit on me. “
Henderson is absorbing the knowledge. The outcomes are already beginning to present. Since Christmas, he is averaging 18.9 factors (35.4% from lengthy vary), 6.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds per 36 minutes. Billups claimed Thursday that he simply regained his beginning job whilst Brogdon returns from harm.
The mixture of all of that — the pedigree, the physique, the arrogance and (slowly) the outcomes — is sufficient to persuade Henderson that the following time he makes the All-Star break, it is going to be on Sunday.
“I believe it is going to include time and course of,” Henderson informed Yahoo Sports activities. “It is in God’s arms. All I can do is put within the work and belief the individuals up there, so that is what I’ll proceed to do.”