If the vagueness still reigns as much around the future of Damian Lillard, Portland can already be satisfied with having recovered, with Scoot Henderson, a player who says he is ready to “become the face of the franchise” and to “take over” from “Dame”.
“Determined to dominate”, as his motto so aptly puts it, the new playmaker of the Blazers has, despite a shortened Summer League stint in Las Vegas due to a shoulder injury, already had time to show why the leaders of Oregon were very happy to select him in 3rd position in the Draft (behind Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller).
At only 19 years old, Scoot Henderson is indeed a raw talent and, for his first year in the NBA, he should have plenty of time to be able to express himself within a young team launched in an operation (re) construction.
Still, the rookie season of the former Team Ignite player (G-League) will not be a long calm river, like any self-respecting beginner. But, in order to best approach this 2023/24 exercise, he will be able to benefit from the valuable advice of four former playmakers who have passed through the Great League: Chauncey Billupshis coach, as well as Scott Brooks And Eugene “Pooh” Throwhis assistants, without forgetting Jason Hartthe one who has led him for the past two years at the lower level.
” Any leader has been in the same situation, but everyone has had varying fortunes, everyone has gone about it differently “Judge Scoot Henderson in the columns of The Athletic, about his four mentors. ” I’m just trying to find out how they handled certain situations in games, in the dressing room, in the way of leading a team at a young age. This is how I go about it. Hearing all this from Chauncey, Pooh, Jason and Scott was the best thing that could have happened to me at 19, and even 17 with Pooh and Jason. »
Parentage with Chauncey Billups, similarities with Russell Westbrook
In addition to his long-time mentor Eugene “Pooh” Jeter, the new nugget from Portland should be very close to Chauncey Billups, with whom he has shared a common point for a few weeks: that of having been selected in 3rd position in the Draft, at 26 years apart (1997 and 2023).
” It’s something that’s close to my heart, because I remember being a 3rd draft pick myself, with expectations. “Explains the Blazers coach, when asked if he would almost not feel invested with a mission with his young phenomenon. ” I want to give Scoot what I needed back then and I can do it. I accomplished everything he wants to accomplish in this league, but I struggled a lot in the beginning, which I can’t imagine going through. […] It was really hard for me, because once I felt comfortable in Boston, I was transferred to Toronto, where I started playing well…just before the season ended. Then there was the lockout and when it finally ended I was moved to Denver. I was never really able to get my bearings, until I found some stability after two, three years. »
Inevitably, given this filiation and the potential of the very talented Scoot Henderson, Chauncey Billups does not intend to leave him aside, left to himself (or almost).
” I won’t let him skip a step “, warns the MVP of the Finals 2004. “ I’m going to be on his back, I’m going to coach him and he’s going to have to play the right way, for the team. He’s going to be a star in this league, but I’m not going to let him skip the steps and he’s probably going to be mad at me at times. Except that he will always be grateful to me. He’s a special kid, he’s going to become a very good player. »
” You have to tell me things, whether I like it or not, because I’m always listening. »
Good news: Scoot Henderson wants Chauncey Billups to be tough and direct with him.
” You have to tell me things, whether I like it or not, because I’m always listening “, announces the native of Marietta, Georgia. ” So whether Chauncey tells me good things or bad things, I’m going to hear them, take note of them and apply it all on the pitch. »
Words that can only be validated by Scott Brooks, who already finds in Scoot Henderson a renowned playmaker that he had under his orders in the past…
” What I noticed is that he is very attentive “Says the former Thunder and Wizards coach. ” He’s always on the lookout, he always wants to improve and he always wants to listen. Once, he came to me without my asking him and he said: ‘Coach, I can’t wait to steal your knowledge’. And I’m excited about that, because obviously I’ve been able to coach some very athletic and dynamic point guards, and one of his favorite players is none other than Russell Westbrook. I’ve been around Russell for seven years, got to see his work ethic, and in just two weeks alongside Scoot, I’ve already seen so many similarities between them. The most important? It’s his approach to the game, how serious he is. Nothing is left to chance in his work, it’s consistent and he doesn’t talk about anything else: he just wants to improve and he’s serious about it. »
Scoot rides on affect… and challenges
A state of mind that Scoot Henderson forged in particular in contact with Jason Hart, in G-League, within Team Ignite. A coach to whom he was indeed very close.
” In fact, he was stopping by my house and we were having a good time together “, recognizes the Portland player. ” He was like my first veteran. It’s rubbed off on me so much, especially in everyday life, learning how to be a good person, not taking anything for granted, that kind of simple stuff. This is how our relationship was born. On the pitch, he taught me to stay confident, to have faith in my shot, that kind of stuff. It’s huge coming from someone who has been there before me, who had his chance and who was able to lead a team. »
But Jason Hart did not forget either to be as severe as possible with his little protege. By using a method that is, to say the least, conflicting.
” If you challenge someone very good, then they will take it as a challenge, they will take it personally. And that is precisely what was happening. I challenged him like this: ‘You don’t defend, you don’t involve your teammates’, and he took it to heart. That’s what I wanted: for him to be angry and show me the opposite. I think I would challenge Scoot all the time if I could, because there’s a kind of wolf in him that’s constantly trying to dominate, he’s looking for a challenge. “, considers the one who went through nine NBA franchises between 2000 and 2010.
One of the challenges that Scoot Henderson was able to face last season was that of becoming the vocal leader of “his” Team Ignite. The one where he had already played for a year, unlike others.
” Year two was the veteran among the rookies “explains Jason Hart. ” It’s a role that involves communicating, leading with your voice, because that’s what you’d expect in an NBA locker room, especially when you’re drafted high. And this season he was able to lead, he was our vocal leader. »
” He already asks a lot of questions and they are always good questions. »
What to benefit to help Scoot Henderson, but also to the Blazers, in full in their process of reconstruction. An ideal destination in this sense, or almost, and which makes the Team Ignite coach say that the air of Oregon can only be beneficial to the career of the 3rd choice of the 2023 Draft.
” I was so happy that he landed in Portland… “, delivers Jason Hart. ” Of course, you always want to be drafted as high as possible, but I always say drop where you can grow first because, when it comes to Scoot, [Brandon] Miller and [Victor] Wembanyama will all get a max contract later. But for Scoot, it was kind of a blessing, because he’s been around a playmaker for two years, and now he’s going to be around an MVP-caliber playmaker. [des Finals]. Which will take it to another level in terms of learning, because they will speak the same language on a daily basis. I think it will give him an advantage over a lot of guys. »
A Chauncey Billups, mentioned in this statement therefore, who will ensure that Scoot Henderson pays particular attention to the famous “ small details ” Game.
” We won’t let him forget [les petites choses] “, repeats the former illustrious leader of the Pistons. ” I will be on his back. But he already asks a lot of questions and they are always good questions, when young players are sometimes too shy to ask or they don’t know what questions to ask. He’s just very curious and he wants to be somebody. »
