Grantland: The Arrival of John Henson (Is he part of core?)

[raferfenix]

Hopefully teams are watching around the league and offer us a first round pick. Henson is a solid backup who can play well in spot starts but he isn't part of the core moving forward.

I could see him as a very good 6th man bench big providing energy on both sides of the ball off the bench.

But I just can't see him playing major minutes with a forward tandem as slight as Giannis / Parker.

Not sure if Kidd would be willing to trade a win now piece like him for a future pick though, unfortunately.

Thinking about whether he might go for a deal with the Kings if something like this would be available:

Bucks trade: Knight, Henson, O'bryant
Kings trade: McLemore, Thompson, McCallum

[PANDEMONEUM]

i would move Henson for equal value at SG
possibly for a PG
he is not someone in the TOP8 rotation
more of a 9thman, or 3rd C
if we can accept him for that, then hes fine
if we want more or expect more, we will be disappointed
i just want him to dunk the ball, when he gets it within 3ft
its very infuriating when he catches it so deep and looks to pass out or throw up a weak layup

[Bernman]

What arrival? Because his block rate has went up somewhat in a small sample?

I don't expect him to be part of the core with the lack of body control, jumper, and mental toughness. He gets pushed around like crazy.

Also, we can less justify keeping him around now that Sanders has made himself virtually immovable.

He's likely not a part of anyone's core, and almost surely a part of ours.

[Ruzious]

The thing Lowe notes is that Henson is thriving in small ball lineups where he's got the entire post to roam and not get caught up with another big.

The thing that will make or break Henson is if he can ever get a damn jump shot. I'm not talking a three, but hitting a simple ten-foot faceup, along with getting a 75% FT percentage is what takes him from nice role playing big to top ten starting center material.

His scoring per 40 minutes has gone down from 18.4 in his rookie year to 16.5 in his 2nd year to 14.9 this season. Not sure what's cause this decline. But the rest of his stats show that he's a more than capable starting big in the NBA. And if re-develops that mid-range jumper - which wasn't bad at all at UNC - he can be a helluvan NBA player. But with his lack of bulk, can he play 35 minutes a game? That seems to be the problem with another ex-UNC big - Brandan Wright.

[AussieBuck]

He also points out that Henson has been a failure with Knight. We really should think about ponying up for Tyus Jones when the time comes.

Everyone has been a failure with Knight--correct? I assume that terrible chart from two weeks ago can be updated?

I can post info but I'm not clever enough to make a chart. As to Henson I haven't read the piece yet but I can't imagine ever being happy having paid him. I just don't trust his motor/competitiveness at all.

[paulpressey25]

His scoring per 40 minutes has gone down from 18.4 in his rookie year to 16.5 in his 2nd year to 14.9 this season. Not sure what's cause this decline.

Kidd has told him that he's a center and that he shouldn't shoot the ball unless he's deep in the post of has a specific roll play run for him. The prior two years, he was a chucker. There was no offensive discipline under the former coaching staffs and Henson would be passed the ball 15-20 feet out and Henson would just turn and chuck.

[aValpo]

The small ball center part is interesting, but I think its detrimental to have him play PF. Can't think of many PF that neither have power, post play, or a jump shot. His best play has been around the rim, so I think playing to his strengths is the right idea, rather than trying to fit him in at the 4.

[HurricaneKid]

Scoring per 40? WHO CARES?? He isn't a scorer. You shoot 43% on post attempts, and can't get to the line you don't get to be a scorer any more.

My problem has been that he can't play 4 and is useless next to a 5 and is too slight to play as a 5. But he has proven he CAN have a role. Brandan Wright was an abject failure at GSW but when he was put in a specific role under Carlisle (BTW, the EXACT role Lowe was talking about for Henson, an exclusively roll guy) he excelled. Then when he went to the Celts without a PG he failed again.

And 5s ARE shrinking. As a backup 5 who can roll to the hoop he has a role. But how valuable is a guy if his ceiling is Wright?

EDIT: Well Wright just got traded for 2 2nd rd picks.

[Dcebucks11]

just trade him.. he can never seem to get playing time anyways and teams are throwing 1st round picks around like candy.

[RayRayJones]

And then, since this is Milwaukee and these are the Bucks, crazy stuff started happening.

[raferfenix]

Suns get Brandon Wright in a deal we probably could have gotten for John Henson if we had been so inclined:

The Phoenix Suns have acquired Brandan Wright from the Boston Celtics for a first round pick.

The first round pick the Suns sent to Celtics is protected 1-12 in 2015 and 2016, and then turns to two seconds -- which is the likely result.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... VkT3jxC.99

[Giannis Parker]

Suns get Brandon Wright in a deal we probably could have gotten for John Henson if we had been so inclined:

The Phoenix Suns have acquired Brandan Wright from the Boston Celtics for a first round pick.

If that is the going rate (two 2nd round picks) for decent Center only 27 years of age, I am just fine with keeping Henson as our primary backup of the future.

This also greatly weakens any chance we had of moving Zaza for anything worth mentioning, even expirings.

[AussieBuck]

He also points out that Henson has been a failure with Knight. We really should think about ponying up for Tyus Jones when the time comes.

Everyone has been a failure with Knight--correct? I assume that terrible chart from two weeks ago can be updated?

Henson with Knight:

51.8 TS%, 15.4 USG%

Henson without Knight:

61.2 TS%, 20.5USG%

It's probably mostly a pick and roll ineptness thing but those numbers are the pattern through the team.

[Baddy Chuck]

He also points out that Henson has been a failure with Knight. We really should think about ponying up for Tyus Jones when the time comes.

Everyone has been a failure with Knight--correct? I assume that terrible chart from two weeks ago can be updated?

Henson with Knight:

51.8 TS%, 15.4 USG%

Henson without Knight:

61.2 TS%, 20.5USG%

It's probably mostly a pick and roll ineptness thing but those numbers are the pattern through the team.

Where are you getting these? I used to use nbawowy but I can't see to get it to work this season.

[AussieBuck]

Everyone has been a failure with Knight--correct? I assume that terrible chart from two weeks ago can be updated?

Henson with Knight:

51.8 TS%, 15.4 USG%

Henson without Knight:

61.2 TS%, 20.5USG%

It's probably mostly a pick and roll ineptness thing but those numbers are the pattern through the team.

Where are you getting these? I used to use nbawowy but I can't see to get it to work this season.

Works for me but maybe that's because I'm a forum member there. You'd cry if you saw Giannis' numbers.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Suns get Brandon Wright in a deal we probably could have gotten for John Henson if we had been so inclined:

The Phoenix Suns have acquired Brandan Wright from the Boston Celtics for a first round pick.

If that is the going rate (two 2nd round picks) for decent Center only 27 years of age, I am just fine with keeping Henson as our primary backup of the future.

This also greatly weakens any chance we had of moving Zaza for anything worth mentioning, even expirings.

I think you're mostly right although I could see Henson having slightly more value than Wright because he's still under his rookie deal next season while wright is a FA. But wright is probably a better player right now so maybe it's about equal.

[Bernman]

Suns get Brandon Wright in a deal we probably could have gotten for John Henson if we had been so inclined:

The Phoenix Suns have acquired Brandan Wright from the Boston Celtics for a first round pick.

The first round pick the Suns sent to Celtics is protected 1-12 in 2015 and 2016, and then turns to two seconds -- which is the likely result.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... VkT3jxC.99

You figure firsts and decent prospects have always been available for a number of our players individually or in combination, it's just that a lot of fans here were projecting their worth to us on to other teams, and the right person(s) (Kidd, apparently now) in the organization isn't motivated to sell because of the competitor in him and the conflict of interest between his official and unofficial roles.

[Insomniaac]

Henson with Knight:

51.8 TS%, 15.4 USG%

Henson without Knight:

61.2 TS%, 20.5USG%

It's probably mostly a pick and roll ineptness thing but those numbers are the pattern through the team.

Where are you getting these? I used to use nbawowy but I can't see to get it to work this season.

Works for me but maybe that's because I'm a forum member there. You'd cry if you saw Giannis' numbers.

nbawowy works fine for me this season and I didn't join the forum

[Johnlac1]

The thing Lowe notes is that Henson is thriving in small ball lineups where he's got the entire post to roam and not get caught up with another big.

The thing that will make or break Henson is if he can ever get a damn jump shot. I'm not talking a three, but hitting a simple ten-foot faceup, along with getting a 75% FT percentage is what takes him from nice role playing big to top ten starting center material.

His scoring per 40 minutes has gone down from 18.4 in his rookie year to 16.5 in his 2nd year to 14.9 this season. Not sure what's cause this decline. But the rest of his stats show that he's a more than capable starting big in the NBA. And if re-develops that mid-range jumper - which wasn't bad at all at UNC - he can be a helluvan NBA player. But with his lack of bulk, can he play 35 minutes a game? That seems to be the problem with another ex-UNC big - Brandan Wright.

Other than more experience (same as most young players), Henson needs to get a little stronger and start hitting the 10-15 footers to improve his game and get more time. He's constantly underrated by Bucks fans. He has the potential to play two positions, block shots, and score inside. Not a lot of players in the league like that. Which is why his PER is usually among the highest on the Bucks.

[Baddy Chuck]

Developing defensive awareness and a 10-15 foot jumper is a lot easier said than done.