3 Developments Blazers’ Scoot Henderson must make to reach his ceiling
By Reese Kunz
Sometimes, a player’s best attribute can also be a weakness. That’s the case for Blazers’ No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson. His aggressive, downhill, attacking style of play is what made Henderson such a coveted prospect. But, at the same time, this style of play can get him in trouble at times.
Similarly to the likes of Russell Westbrook, you have to live and die with this type of player.
More often than not, it will be to the Blazers benefit and contribute to winning. However, if both Henderson and the Blazers want to take that next jump, there are certain areas Henderson will need to focus on developing.
Here are three key areas he can focus on improving during his rookie season.
Scoot Henderson’s No. 1 Development: Offensive decision-making
One area of improvement will be improving his decision-making on offense. With an average of 3.4 turnovers per game last season with the G League Ignite, Henderson displayed a lack of ball security.
His high turnover rate disrupts the offensive flow and gifts easy scoring opportunities in transition. To reach his full potential, Henderson must maintain better ball control, read the defense more effectively, and avoid risky passes or dribbles that lead to turnovers.
Additionally, Henderson’s shot selection has been inconsistent at times. There are instances in which he settles for contested shots or takes early shots in the shot clock without settling in on offense.
Again, this can be attributed to Henderson’s confidence in his shot-making ability, which is a positive trait. However, it will be essential that he makes more of an effort to optimize possessions with the Trail Blazers.
A part of this is a result of Henderson’s young age of 19, but it’s also ingrained in his style of play to a certain extent. The key for Henderson and the Blazers will be to find that balance between being Portland’s go-to ball-handler and playmaker while keeping that aggressive style of play that makes him so special.