Gerald Henderson

gordito · Post #1 » by **gordito** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 10:08 am

What do you all think of this guy? He seems to have fallen under the radar (for a lottery pick) thus far in his career due to playing for the Bobcats under Larry Brown (where rookies get ZERO playing time). I happened to watch some footage of him from this past season and he looked pretty darn good. Started to do a bit more research on him, and he seems like he might be a player down the line.

For the last two months of the season, once Larry Brown stepped down and Gerald Wallace was traded (which effectively made him starting SG and moved Stephen Jackson back to SF), he performed on par with the other high profile sophomores (Harden, DeRozan, Evans, etc.). He possesses D-Wade size/athleticism, moves very well off the ball, seems like an elite defender, and models his game after Kobe (easier said than done, I know). If he can fully develop his mid-range/three point shot and become more aggressive, I think he'll be a force to reckon with in the league, especially with the depleted bucket of quality SGs.

With a full season as starter under his belt, and depending on how his hip surgery rehabilitation goes, I project him to be a front-runner for Most Improved Player candidate. I see his ceiling to be somewhere between Eddie Jones (late 1990s) and Michael Finley (early 2000s).

Any thoughts?

Kabookalu · Post #2 » by **Kabookalu** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 10:19 am

I think he could be a utility guy that is all around and serviceable, nowhere near where Eddie Jones and Michael Finley were at. I see potential in him but we'll see if he can make that leap forward. And by that I don't mean adding a couple more points to his ppg, but if he can keep this up with defensive pressure more aware of what he's capable of.

Post #3 » by **BigSlam** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 12:47 pm

He has a few things he needs to work on and if he can get on top of them, he could be special.

1. Has to add range to his J.
Doesn't look like that will be very hard to do because he has a very nice looking J so there is nothing he really needs to fix, he just has to get in the reps.

2. Must improve his handle.
He's awesome coming off the down screen, catching near the elbow and draining the mid range J - it really is his money shot, but he needs to be able to create for himself a lot more with the ball in his hands and with his explosive athletic ability he should be able to get to the rack with ease and finish when there.

3. He has to stay healthy.
There have been a number of issues that have kept him in street clothes already and this lastest hip problem is just another on the long list. Maybe the kid just has really bad luck, maybe he is brittle, maybe he's getting all these injuries out of the way early in his career?

Couple of good things though - like the OP said, he's looking like an elite defender already, he has a LOT of confidence in himself (not so much ego, just cool, calm confidence) and he has very good blood lines.

If he can work on his handle I think he could be a D.Wade lite type player.

Fred Williamson · Post #4 » by **Fred Williamson** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 4:58 pm

just another athletic wing coming from Duke. dude totally sucks and Bobcats should trade him for a late first if they have the chance to, to save the franchise

Blazing_royale · Post #5 » by **Blazing_royale** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 5:11 pm

he's a bust. nothing special. a bench player

gordito · Post #6 » by **gordito** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 5:42 pm

Fred Williamson wrote:just another athletic wing coming from Duke. dude totally sucks and Bobcats should trade him for a late first if they have the chance to, to save the franchise

Blazing_royale wrote:he's a bust. nothing special. a bench player

Do you guys care to elaborate?

-Kees- · Post #7 » by **-Kees-** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 9:21 pm

I actually like his game a lot. The problem is his range IMO.

Last year, during the last 2 months, he was 14/3.5/3 and still very solid D. He's a good rebounder for his size, and recently was more willing and able to pass the ball.

I think that if he stays healthy, and gets 30+ MPG, I could see a 16/5/4/2 type season out of him. His defense reminds me A LOT of Tony Allen, and he also has a great offensive game, so if he can stay healthy and everything, I see him as a core piece for a team.

MIK AGER · Post #8 » by **MIK AGER** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 9:30 pm

Meh he's similar to Derozan less of a legit offensive threat because of his size but a better defender.

gordito · Post #9 » by **gordito** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 9:48 pm

@Keeslinator: I agree, his main problem is his range. In addition (as another poster stated), he does not have ideal handles for a slasher-type player, which I think will limit him even more if not improved.

Unfortunately, it may take him even longer to improve since he's been out all off-season recovering from hip surgery. Nonetheless, I'm excited to see what he can do as a main option on a young team.

Jase · Post #10 » by **Jase** » Tue Sep 6, 2011 11:47 pm

I see him as a starter who will have some big games, but he'll never be more than that. He'll never be an All-Star, and he should never be the best player on your team. I see him as a Ricky-Davis-like, without the mental lapses.

SheedsWeed · Post #11 » by **SheedsWeed** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 12:15 am

Heard him being compared to Kobe a bit much, but I like his upside.

dhh2h · Post #12 » by **dhh2h** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 2:00 am

Basically like a homeless version of Kobe's offense with a poor man's version of prime Kobes defense

TJ27 · Post #13 » by **TJ27** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 2:05 am

He is a roleplayer and nothing more.

tugs · Post #14 » by **tugs** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 2:20 am

this topic is shaping up to be one worth mentioning in the "Worst Fail Prediction of a Player" 10 years from now.

NCHeels2008 · Post #15 » by **NCHeels2008** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 2:59 am

I think his ceiling is prime Rip Hamilton w/ better defense

JrueTheFuture · Post #16 » by **JrueTheFuture** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 3:00 am

TJ27 wrote:He is a roleplayer and nothing more.

bullsnewdynasty · Post #17 » by **bullsnewdynasty** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 3:03 am

Ronnie Brewer with a jump shot

gordito · Post #18 » by **gordito** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 6:31 am

JrueTheFuture wrote:
TJ27 wrote:He is a roleplayer and nothing more.

Lol, it seems like this is the majority opinion. We shall see. Like I said before, I haven't had a chance to see much of him from the west coast, which is why I wanted to see what some of you guys thought Nonethless, I am interested on seeing how he turns out. Just another thing to add to my long lists of reasons why I want the lockout to end asap!

guds wrote:this topic is shaping up to be one worth mentioning in the "Worst Fail Prediction of a Player" 10 years from now.

Please explain to me how suggesting a player's ceiling to be Michael Finley/Eddie Jones is shaping up to be one of the worst fail predictions of a player? Not sure if you're a new fan of the game and haven't been around long enough to know that there have been WAY worse comparisons than this (assuming Henderson never reaches this ceiling).

Stun704 · Post #19 » by **Stun704** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 7:32 am

Hendo will have a better career then Derozan, so any prediction you raptors fans have about Hendo is just knocking Derozan. Seriously Hendo is superior to Derozan in all facets of his game right now, and is a far far superior defender.

Saciid11 · Post #20 » by **Saciid11** » Wed Sep 7, 2011 8:26 am

Stun704 wrote:Hendo will have a better career then Derozan, so any prediction you raptors fans have about Hendo is just knocking Derozan. Seriously Hendo is superior to Derozan in all facets of his game right now, and is a far far superior defender.

You got be kidding Me ... Henderson better then Derozen?? Derozen is younger and already better player then Henderson, and it's not even close. Just cause Derozen is playing in Canada doesn't you have to underrate the guy by comparing him to guy whose ceiling is Dantey Jones...