“We’re very fortunate to have him, I know that,’’ Van Gundy said. “It would be a major failure on my part, to be quite honest, if that kid’s not a good player. Look, he’s not only got the size and the skills, he has the talent. He has the approach and the makeup. It’s not like you’re telling him things and he’s ignoring them. He’s got a long ways to go. What he does in the weight room with Jordan (Sabourin) will be huge. What he does with Otis (Simth) and the other coaches … the teaching and development will be huge. What we do coaching him will be huge.
"He has the right approach. Henry was terrific today. He’s a sponge. He wants to learn everything.’’
Van Gundy said he would go with veterans first in the regular season because there’s a trust factor and history. But the rookie is lurking in the wings as his defense and rebounding improve.
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/10/18/detroit-pistons-henry-ellenson/92373684/