Gerald Henderson vs Ben Gordon

[mrknowitall215]

Position battles are a part of NBA training camps and Coach Dunlap made that very clear in the beginning by stating “over the next month we’re going to have an open competition for all spots...there’s nobody who has their spot locked down going into training camp...we’ll try a lot of different (combinations).” I found this year's SG position a debatable subject as much as the annual PG debate, so I'll present the pros and cons to evaluate between both players.

Hendo's Pros:
* one of the longest tenured Bobcats on the roster; named team captain
* team's leading returning scorer (15.1 PPG)
* decent midrange shooter
* solid defender
* one of the best rebounders at his position

Hendo's Cons:
* marginal starter; miscast as a go-to guy
* poor 3-point shooter
* relies too much on midrange jump shots, the least efficient shot in the game
* inconsistent player that has the tendency to disappear in stretches
* lack court vision & ball handling skills

BenGo's Pros:
* one of the best shooters in the NBA; career 41% 3-point shooter
* a great scorer from mid to long range; can create his own shot or spot up
* clutch; has reputation for making big shots in 4th quarter
* experienced winner who led Bulls to playoffs in 4 out of 5 seasons in Chicago
* renowned work ethic; powerful, short-armed build

BenGo's Cons:
* undersized, lack ideal size of starting SG in NBA
* bad defender; in particular, post-up guards give him problems
* turnover-prone ball handler
* production has declined with minutes in Detroit over the past 3 seasons
* streaky shooter, has the tendency to go on cold streaks

Stats thru 5 preseason games
Henderson: 11 PPG, 3 RPG, 2 APG, 1 SPG 40 FG%, 13 3P%
Gordon: 16 PPG, 2 RPG, 2 APG, 1 SPG, 41 FG%, 33 3P%

[Walt Cronkite]

I would probably start Gordon, but I dunno, Hendo's tenacious defense is something every starting 5 needs. Good to have competition. Start the guy that seems most with it that day, be quick with the hook if he's **** up. Let the guy that's playing the best get the most run. Start again next game.

[Liver_Pooty]

Doesn't matter as both guys will see extensive minutes.

[countryboi]

How is BenGo undersized and hendo ain't? I would start hendo just because I think BenGo is better off the bench

[HornetJail]

Like I said in the Kemba/Sessions thread. If Kemba's starting, then start Hendo, because Kemba and Gordon aren't going to mix too well IMO. If you start Sessions, then start Gordon for extra scoring.

[James Gatz]

Like I said in the Kemba/Sessions thread. If Kemba's starting, then start Hendo, because Kemba and Gordon aren't going to mix too well IMO. If you start Sessions, then start Gordon for extra scoring.

Completely agree with this. But I'd give preference to Kemba and Hendo.

[Red Larrivee]

Gordon's scoring will be more valuable coming off the bench I think.

[BigSlam]

Like I said in the Kemba/Sessions thread. If Kemba's starting, then start Hendo, because Kemba and Gordon aren't going to mix too well IMO. If you start Sessions, then start Gordon for extra scoring.

Except that BG is much better at creating his own shot as opposed to Hendo who needs someone creating it for him.

That being the case isn't BG a better fit with Kemba and Hendo with Sessions?

[SWedd523]

Gordon:

Better hairline
doesn't play golf
didn't go to Duke

Hendo:

Middle name McKinley, and is a Jr like myself
Better smile
Looks great with a UNC backpack (http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_asset ... 74/lak.jpg)

[fatlever]

i like gordon in the 6th man role. we have never really had a true 6th man and it is something every team needs. ben is good in that role and is used to that role.

that being said, hendo needs to pick it up. he has been rather invisible so far in the preseason.

[Eoghan]

BenGo has a nice track record of being a good 6th man. Regardless of who starts at PG, Sessions and Kemba are both average at best defenders so Hendo's D is vital to not getting blown out.

[Kembastockton]

BenGo... hmm...I like it.

BenGo's performance so far in the preseason is making me warm up to the idea someone brought up of trading Hendo for a pick or young big man.

[mrknowitall215]

Dunlap said Ben Gordon is definitely under consideration to start in the regular season.

source - @rick_bonnell twitter

Such a move would bump Gerald Henderson to the bench or to SF, but if he moves to SF prized rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would come off the bench.

[SWedd523]

Moving him to SF would give us a smaller starting 1-2-3 than the one Kentucky is going to trot out next year.

[MKGsMotor]

Hendo has been playing like a bench player so let him come off the bench. BG can hit shots if Kemba looks up when he drives.

[Kembastockton]

Hendo has been playing like a bench player so let him come off the bench. BG can hit shots if Kemba looks up when he drives.

There will be plenty time for him to come off the bench once we draft Shabazz this summer.

[mrknowitall215]

Final Preseason Stats

Gerald Henderson - 26.5 MIN, 12.1 PTS, 38 FG%, 17 3P%, 3.3 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.4 STL, 0.6 BLK, 1.9 TO

Ben Gordon - 25.6 MIN, 13.9 PTS, 39 FG%, 41 3P%, 1.6 REB, 2.0 AST, 0.7 STL, 0.1 BLK, 1.0 TO

[James Gatz]

I'm finally convinced we need to start BG. We need the spacing and Hendo's development just isn't cutting it.

[mrknowitall215]

The 'Cats have until Wednesday, October 31st, to extend Hendo. I haven't heard or read much about the negotiations, but I'd say if they don't offer him an extension then there'd be no reason to start him over BG. That would only allow him to pad his stats enough to make it more difficult for them to retain him during the offseason as a RFA if they chose to.

[fatlever]

same goes for mully. i wonder if thats why mully pulled down 19 boards and took 25 shots last night.