A leadership role is to be taken on the Portland side. Damian Lillard is no longer there and the Blazers will look for a face, a player to rely on. With his status as third choice in the 2023 Draft, Scoot Henderson seems to be the natural candidate for the years to come.
However, he remains a rookie, and we should not expect miracles from him immediately. Chauncey Billups insists greatly on this point, on the patience that he, during his first season, did not have from the Celtics.
“I’m going to be for him what I needed at his age,” explains the Blazers coach Andscape. “I needed someone who knew what I should do. I needed someone who could help me learn the game, who was going to be patient with me knowing there were going to be bad matches. I didn’t have that. I promised to be that for him throughout his career. »
Before becoming an All-Star, a Finals MVP and a champion in Detroit, Billups took a few seasons to find his place. Above all, he was transferred in his rookie year, when he was drafted third overall in 1997 – like Scoot Henderson.
“I hadn’t heard this story. I think it’s almost impossible today, you really have to do something crazy to make it happen.” confides the Portland player regarding the experience of his coach. “I had a lot of pressure, we needed to win,” remembers the coach. “My coach, who was good, had no patience, which is necessary with rookies, especially in my position. I didn’t have a coach who was a former playmaker. It’s a comfort that allows you to be at ease. If that had been the case, perhaps my career would have been different. »
An army of former leaders to surround him
The playmaker, who is also starting to explore the fullback position, is well surrounded in Portland. Not only does he have Chauncey Billups on the bench, but also Malcolm Brogdon in the squad, not to mention Pooh Jeter, his mentor and former teammate on the G-League Team Ignite.
“Support is fundamental”, he assures. “It’s huge to know that someone has your back. Everyone in the franchise is extremely invested in the players. I will take the pressure for myself but knowing that I have the trust of my coaches, I will respect them even more. »
We can also add Scott Brooks, Billups assistant and former NBA point guard, who can help Scoot Henderson. Especially since the former Thunder coach had Russell Westbrook under his command and according to him, the two players are similar.
“They are very smart, tough, competitive and determined,” analyzes Brooks. “Their will to prepare is as great as their will to win, and that’s rare. I’m not even talking about the athleticism at their position. There are a lot of similarities, it’s disturbing. I had Westbrook for eight years, when he was 20, Scoot is 19. He has everything you want in a young player and we know he is on the right track to become a great player . »
