Xavier Henry comparison

[hotshotschamp]

I don't see Henry having the wiggle to his game like a Harden has. Harden has sorta that Paul Pierce'ish ability to get to the free throw line, even though he doesn't possess that athletic ability.

Xavier just seems so content to stay behind that 3 pt line and wait for the ball, and not try to force things. I'm not sure he's even capable of really driving it to the hole and creating a consistent basis.

Maybe that's just his role, but he doesn't seem confident in his dribble game, and willingness to force the issue and score inside.

I'm not sure who the perfect comparison is, but I don't really like Harden.

[It_Was_Typed]

Henry is nothing like Harden.

I seen Harden play since he was a freshman in high school. He came into college with more polished all around skills than Henry. Henry is the better athlete and probably shooter than Harden, but hasn't shown the ability to make plays off the dribble for others like Harden did.

[ManualRam]

I don't see Henry having the wiggle to his game like a Harden has. Harden has sorta that Paul Pierce'ish ability to get to the free throw line, even though he doesn't possess that athletic ability.

Xavier just seems so content to stay behind that 3 pt line and wait for the ball, and not try to force things. I'm not sure he's even capable of really driving it to the hole and creating a consistent basis.

Maybe that's just his role, but he doesn't seem confident in his dribble game, and willingness to force the issue and score inside.

I'm not sure who the perfect comparison is, but I don't really like Harden.

i wouldnt say harden has much "wiggle" to his game. his right is still weak and his overall ball-handling ability isnt that great. he gets by his man via jab steps and the threat of the outside shot.
i think xavier has the ability to do that as well, although he does settle too much for jumpshots.
if xavier had more responsibilities on his team, i think he'd be more willing to put the rest of his game on display. like harden, he doesnt have a great first step and isnt a dynamic ball-handler, but he gets that extra step on his defender cuz he is such a threat from the outside.

[Cammo101]

Xavier Henry = John Salmons

[some_rand]

^does he have the play making ability of salmons though?
remember, salmons can run point for periods of time

[Cammo101]

^does he have the play making ability of salmons though?
remember, salmons can run point for periods of time

Somewhat. He is not as good with the ball as Salmons, but they are similar kinds of players with similar bodies.

[vincecarter4pres]

Henry is just nothing like Harden what so ever. I question people that are making this comparison, have you even seem either player play?

[ManualRam]

Henry is just nothing like Harden what so ever. I question people that are making this comparison, have you even seem either player play?

i've seen both of em play and i see similarities. the difference is their respective roles on their college teams as well as harden's passing skills which are replaced by xavier's offensive versatility (pull-up and mid-range game).
i still see their games translating similarly to the next level. i think both will become primarily deep threats who have the ability to pump n go, have the ability absorb contact once they get in the paint.
xavier might not seem like much of a passer right now ( i think has more to do with his role) but he is a heady offensive player.

[Cammo101]

I don't see the Harden comparisons.

[hotshotschamp]

plays nothing like harden imo.

[ManualRam]

I don't see the Harden comparisons.

i dont see the salmons comparisons.

i also dont think as highly of hardens as far as his potential as an NBA player like most on this board so that could be part of it...
like i said, i see em both as primarily lefty deep threats with some ability to finish in the paint. neither are anything special IMO.

[vincecarter4pres]

Henry is a spot up shooter with an NBA body and the ability to get out and finish, absorb some contact. Little ball handling and playmaking ability. Can pass a little, but that's about it.
Maybe like Dan Majerle even.

Harden is a playmaking guard with a very good handle, very good playmaking ability and high BBIQ, less then stellar athleticism but still solid, similar to a Manu Ginobli.

No comparison whatever. It's like comparing Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler.
Or shall we make it Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell with a better jumper.

[ManualRam]

Henry is a spot up shooter with an NBA body and the ability to get out and finish, absorb some contact. Little ball handling and playmaking ability. Can pass a little, but that's about it.
Maybe like Dan Majerle even.

Harden is a playmaking guard with a very good handle, very good playmaking ability and high BBIQ, less then stellar athleticism but still solid, similar to a Manu Ginobli.

No comparison whatever. It's like comparing Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler.
Or shall we make it Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell with a better jumper.

that's the thing. i dont think harden's handle is all that great (his right hand's still weak). he's not beating anyone off the dribble, and when he is it's becuz of the threat of the outside jumper, utilizing picks and/or his jab steps. i think xavier will be effective at the next level in the same way. harden's a high bball iq player, but so is xavier.
also, i dont think harden will get even close to manu cuz of his lack of quickness.

it's obvious that i dont think as highly of harden as you do. i see him as more of a spot up shooter+ in the NBA.

[Bubstubbler]

I've watched all of his games this year, and most of this talk of Henry just being a spot-up shooter (in terms of his ability, not in terms of his role) is totally nonsensical.

Do you understand that he plays for Kansas? Do you understand what that means? They're a complete and balanced team. Henry is doing exactly what his coach is wanting from him.

Henry can (and does) get to the basket and finish whenever he wants. The guy could average 30 ppg on 50% shooting if his coach wanted him to. He also shows great court awareness and above average passing ability for a sg. He also has pretty ridiculous athleticism and a flair for monster put-back dunks.

Seriously, people need to differentiate between his role and his abilities. His role on a great and stacked Kansas team is to be a spot-up shooter and spread the floor to give Aldrich and the Morris twins room to operate in the interior and to open up lanes for Collins to drive. In no way, shape, or form does that mean that Henry's abilities are limited to that of a spot-up shooter.

He'll probably be a mix between Redd and Vince Carter.

[Ruzious]

He's a tough one to grasp for me....

He's got great size, nba body, amazing shot.

But I just don't see his athleticism and ability to guard tough nba 2's and create his own shot, and make players around him better.

Seems like when I watch him he's always just chilling at the 3 pt lane, waiting for a kickout. He seems kinda 1 dimensional to me. I dunno.....he could prove me wrong.

He's an athlete in the mold of Tyreke Evans. Like Evans, he doesn't need to have a 40 inch verticle to be special, because he's got tremendous size, strength, and length for a guard. He's actually stronger than Evans. He's got a different game than Evans, but the great body and body control plus their natural scoring ability and the effortless way they dominate opponents is similar. Henry has the better jump shot, and Evans has the PG skills.

[SeattleJazzFan]

CJ Miles. Miles might be a little bit more athletic and tad bit longer and Henry stronger in the upper body, but both are southpaws, both are mostly shooters, but can put it on the floor when needed as well. Miles goes 6'7" and Henry 6'6". Neither is going to wow you with his playmaking or passing ability.

[PerkinsFor3]

could henry play the sf position?

[Upperclass]

Martell Webster

[SeattleJazzFan]

Martell Webster

Henry's a much better run/jump athlete than Webster.

[Ruzious]

could henry play the sf position?

I think so. At 18, he's already stronger and more physically imposing than most college PFs. Maybe he's used up most of his size projectibility, but he ain't gonna shrink.