Scoot Henderson’s No. 2 Development: Overall shooting
Another significant area Scoot needs to focus on improving is his shooting ability. While he has shown glimpses of potential as a shooter, there are areas of improvement that can help him become a more well-rounded offensive threat.
One aspect of his shooting that needs development is pull-up jumpers – he shot 31 percent on off-the-dribble threes last season with Ignite. Improving his pull-up jump shooting will make Henderson a more dangerous offensive weapon.
Defenses will be forced to fight over screens in pick-and-roll situations, which would create more space for him to drive or make plays for his teammates. One of Henderson’s most significant strengths is his athleticism and ability to attack the paint off of pick-and-rolls, so adding that extra dimension to his game would give both him and the Blazers a considerable boost.
This also helps in isolation situations. In past seasons, teams have frequently sagged off Henderson, forcing him to shoot. Adding a 3-point threat to his arsenal will give Henderson more room to operate, as teams will have to respect his shot.
Keeping the defense honest in pick-and-roll and isolation situations will not only space the floor better, but give Henderson more room to operate, making it easier to attack the paint.
Henderson’s catch-and-shoot efficiency is also relatively weak, with a 33.3 percent shooting percentage on catch-and-shoot jumpers. As a result, this limits his effectiveness as a spot-up shooter and makes it challenging for him to play off the ball.
Improving his catch-and-shoot efficiency would make him a more valuable asset in these situations, as defenders would have to respect his shooting threat even when he’s not handling the ball; this is particularly important with Portland’s current roster construction, having guards Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons as its other current foundational franchise pieces.
Developing Henderson’s overall shooting skills, particularly in pull-up jumpers and catch-and-shoot situations, is critical for his growth as an offensive player. By becoming a more reliable shooter from various positions on the court, Henderson would demand more attention from defenders, open up driving lanes and elevate his scoring capabilities to become a more versatile and well-rounded player.