Send Gerald Henderson to the D-League? Why?
by David A. Arnott on Dec 14, 2009 9:11 AM EST
38 comments
Rick Bonnell floats an idea that terrifies me -- I really hope there's no basis for this other than his own musings, that it's not something the team is testing through him.
Crazy idea that I don't think is so crazy: Send Gerald Henderson to the D-league for a bit.
I don't comment on Bonnell's posts much, but this one requires comment with a theme you've seen here before:
What does Stephen Graham do that either Brown or Henderson can't do? Furthermore, even if you think Graham is better right now than either of those guys at the 2 and 3 (I don't), does that present-day production outweigh the benefits of giving the rookies real NBA minutes? He may be a great guy, but he's not a good basketball player, and he has no future on the Bobcats, so why is LB messing around playing him more minutes than the guys who ostensibly do have a future with this team?
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To be fair, I'm a big fan of the D-League for just about any young player...
but there is also something to be said for giving young players a shot at NBA playing time before they are declared a “project.”
Also, why would LB need to shorten his bench when he’s already playing his starts 35-42+ minutes per game already?
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
My general stance on sending players to the D-League is that there are guys, like Ajinca last year, who get close to nothing from being in the NBA. They’re not good enough to learn and improve from playing against the top competition in practice and in games. Therefore, send them to Iowa to learn and improve until they’re good enough to actually get something from the big club. Henderson isn’t even close to that. Dude holds his own whenever he’s on the floor. He’s probably best served by playing against NBA competition more than he is by playing 35 minutes per game against D-Leaguers.
by David A. Arnott on Dec 14, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
In his case I happen to agree with you...
however, the D-League does proide young guys the opportunity to specifically work on their short-comings in game situations. For Gerald this could be helpful, as his ball handling and jumpshot could both use work. But given the needs of the Bobcats, and the relative maturity of Henderson’s game, there shouldn’t be much reason for D-League time.
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
I figured it's not a bad idea
the actual problem is that Brown won’t play him, right? I assumed Bonnell is operating under that assumption.
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by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 14, 2009 10:57 AM EST reply actions
I’d hate to think the best practical solution involves making a roster move to save a player from our coach. Isn’t the better solution to overrule LB and tell him to give Henderson more minutes? If that’s a problem for LB, then that begs the question of what he’s actually trying to do.
by David A. Arnott on Dec 14, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
who's higher than LB?
I think he’s on a golf course somewhere (sorry).
USE THE SOFTWARE. Actions-> Rec/Flag. Reply to comments with the reply button. Rec good fanposts/fanshots so the crud gets pushed down.
by your friendly BullsBlogger on Dec 14, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
No he and Antoine Walker are hanging out with strippers.
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
You're kidding yourself if you think Brown isn't calling every shot here.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
Ditch Graham
Seriously, GH can play ball… or at least hold his own. Of course that only happens if he gets minutes. Stick him in the rotation please. I’d like to think he’s part of the future of this franchise.
Sending him to the D League would be counterproductive and just be discouraging.
by CharginChuck on Dec 14, 2009 11:38 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
agreed
I honestly don’t know what Larry Brown sees in Graham. Is his disdain for rookies so great that he would rather play Graham over them? I sure hope not.
There’s has to be a reason. Investigative journalism—go!
by Roger, Roger on Dec 14, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
Stephen Graham
I honestly believe that Graham’s dearth minutes are due, at least in part, to the Bobcats’ plans (of using him along with others in a package deal) to make a big trade that will shake up the front-line of the team. I suspect a trade is in the works: possibly sending Graham, Mohammed and/or Diaw and one PG somewhere, ultimately netting the Cats two or three big men in return.
We’ll see what happens, but i would be surprised if the Bobcats were NOT shopping Graham if as nothing more than filler in a larger deal.
His 1-5 or 1-7 shooting nights can't be helping this process.
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
Why would you shop a mediocre journeyman who barely got into camp with one of the worst teams in the league.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha +1,000,000
This.
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
for the reading impaired like Procto
shopping Graham if as nothing more than filler in a larger deal.
read above jerk
So why do you need to play him if he's nothing more than a throw-in?
Idiotic thinking.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 10:54 PM EST up reply actions
FYI
http://www.ridiculousupside.com/2009/12/14/1200025/should-gerald-henderson-be
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
I could see shipping him to the Mainiacs.
if it were for the right reasons.
The Red Claws are part of the Development League. Players go there because they need to learn specific skills or improve in areas where they lack NBA abilities. It’s also commonly known as the “do or die” stint for borderline players. Sending Ajinca there made sense and if he doesn’t get it together the NBA will never see him again. It was a very clear message from management that they weren’t seeing enough skill and effort in practice to even deserve a chair courtside for NBA games.
Whenever asked about Henderson, LB lauds the effort the young man makes in practice and then rankles at being nagged again about using his rookies. Gerald seems to have a good attitude and works hard to be noticed. These are the some of the same qualities that LB speaks of when talking about Raymond Felton. A stint in D League won’t change that about Henderson and not once has Brown mentioned a single thing about Henderson’s game that needs to be beefed up. There’s nothing to develop! Furthermore, dropping him to D League will send a nod/wink message to the NBA that something is wrong with Henderson’s game and make him even less attractive to other teams. It means ink will be needed to justify his return and reverse the damage to his reputation. A trip to D League for a first round pick is like a mark on your permanent school record, a record that follows you for (you know the rest)
DJ Augustin has been given ample time and attention to get his feces into one pail. He’s played the entire season, getting quality minutes. Henderson has been given none of that. It seems to me (others are quicker and better at producing per 36 figures than I) that Gerald’s numbers are comparable to DJ’s without the benefit of previous time in the league. DJ continues to decline and I strongly believe the Bobcats gain more by sending him to Maine in an effort to answer once and for all whether he will be able to step into Felton’s shoes should Raymond leave for greener pastures. This frees up minutes for Henderson. Given the minutes he will improve or actually display that he’s just not good enough. In D League Henderson will show us if he can play at a level below NBA quality. If Augustin went to Maine it would be obvious to all the moment he regains his mojo and is ready to return. I don’t think it’s even worth considering if Henderson will be better schooled in Maine or by guarding (or observing from the bench) the elite guards of the NBA.
How does letting Augustin destroy mid-major all-stars help us project his future?
Nothing about the NBDL provides legitimate evaluational tools for players (like Augustin) who have already established themselves as above-average NBA players. He didn’t’ suddenly forget how to play basketball. And, again, minutes that are going to Augustin would not go to Henderson. They’d go to Murray, because Murray’s a PG; Henderson is not.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
There is something about Charlotte that makes awesome young players forget how to play.
Adam Morrison’s Rookie Year-11.8 ppg, 2.1apg, 2.9rpg
Morrison’s next season(44 games w/ Charlotte)-4.5ppg, .9apg, 1.6rpg
DJ’s Rookie Year-11.8ppg, 3.5apg, 1.8rpg
DJ’s 20 games this season-5.2ppg, 2apg, 1.1rpg
I know they both had their minutes cut but there are reasons for that. What makes these guys lose their confidence? Why are they so fragile? Are they intimidated by other players and/or their coaches?
Adam Morrison has yet to recover, except in summer league. I hope thats not the case with DJ.
Morrison was a different case.
Publicly, I haven’t seen such support for Augustin’s failures. People reveled in every single missed shot by Morrison.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
Morrison and Augustin aren't in the same ballpark... they're not even in the same sport.
Morrison came into the league not only being labeled as ‘the savior of the Charlotte Bobcats’ but also ‘heir apparent to Larry Bird’. He had impossible hype to live up to.
Furthermore, those rookie stats omit some fairly important elements:
- Morrison (rookie): 29.8 mpg, 0.376 FG%, 0.337 3PT%
- Augustin (rookie): 26.5 mpg, 0.430 FG%, 0.439 3PT%
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Dec 14, 2009 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
Its the one that says Bad Mother F***er
I hope Augustin is nothing like Morrison but their numbers are eerily similar. Augustin is a better shooter but with the same amount of time, they produced equally.
So morrison had lots of excuses to play bad. What is Augustin’s? At what point does it go from a slump to a transformation. Im starting to get really worried. We’re 1/4 of the way in the season.
Produced equally? Hardly
Morrison was drafted to be a go to scorer, Augustin was not.
Morrison took 944 field goals and 258 threes his rookie season.
Augustin took 621 field goals and 246 threes his rookie season.
So, while on a superficial level they ‘produced equally’ Augustin was more efficient. It’s not what you score, sometimes it’s how you score.
Furthermore, that 3 minute difference added up to 270 extra minutes for Morrison during the season, or 5.6 games more.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Dec 15, 2009 8:22 AM EST up reply actions
Good point about the 5.6 extra games.
We already agreed that Augustin is a better shooter but 11.8 ppg w/ nearly 30 minutes per game is not that great. When looking at his numbers, it seems to me that Augustin only played great as a starter. I dont think he has ever played extremely well off the bench. Hes had some good games but the numbers are nothing compared to starting him and giving him an extra 10 minutes per game.
Raymond is playing awesome. He definitely deserves to be the starting pg, but because we dont know if hes gonna be here next year, the Cats have to give Augustin a shot. We should start DJ against a couple lesser opponents and see what he can do as a starter before we give up on him and ship him to NY. At least give him one shot. If its a trainwreck, hey, we sacrificed one game to have more clarity of our future.
Im not trying to start another Raymond/DJ argument because I love Raymond, probably too much. Im a Duke fan and I dont care, Hes a badass. I just think it would be smart to give DJ a shot before we give up on him. Maybe being a starter gives him the confidence hes always had.
I'm the flipside I guess... lol
I’m a die hard Carolina fan, but I’m also one of these NBA fans who has no loyalty to players after they leave college. I can separate their NBA careers from their college ones (I sense you can do the same), and while I always appreciate what Ray did for the ’heels I also can be critical (sometimes overly so) of his NBA game.
I still advocate we should send DJ to the D-league for a stint. Let him play 30-40 minutes for a week or so to get his confidence back then when he seems to have found his shot again bring him back into the fold and stop this Flip Murray crap.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Dec 15, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
hahaha
for players (like Augustin) who have already established themselves as above-average NBA players.
That’s good for a laugh!
He certainly was last year.
You think that happened by accident?
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
Michael, DJ didn't forget how to play.
(BTW, do you prefer Mike or Michael or some other nickname? I’ve been assuming “Procto” isn’t your monicker of choice)
He’s forgotten how to believe in himself. His problems are all in his head. His pressures are all being added to by the constant glares and distain he receives from his coach. So he goes to Maine for a few weeks and is instantly able to relax and play against players that can’t handle the skills we all know he possesses. He tears it up for a half-dozen games and regains his confidence. Steady minutes and drilling from LB haven’t pulled him out of the funk. Isn’t this worth a try? I’d much rather exhaust all options than give up on him and package him off to someone else.
I didn’t get into detail as to how the move would increase Henderson’s minutes. I know Gerald isn’t a point and cannot easily be transitioned to the position. Your original response really did clarify that for me. I’m not talking about using him at point. Acie can pick up some minutes at point and Henderson would pick up some shifts where Augustin played the sg position. They aren’t copious, but Deej does still swing between both spots. The purpose of my argument was to say there was a better guard option to send to Maine than Gerald Henderson. Your mileage may vary and as usual that’s fine.
by Ourdaywillcome on Dec 14, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
Fair enough.
And at this point, I don’t really much care what people call me. It usually changes based on location. So if Procto’s what’s stuck, it’s fine with me.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 15, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
Send Larry Brown to the D-League
Something happened to him in New York, and he’s lost his touch. Hopefully, retirement is calling soon.
by ClipCat on Dec 14, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This.
Overheard in press box, from local reporter: 'If this Moore kid was any good, they'd be up 31-0 right now.'
--Darin Gantt, on CAR@NE
by MichaelProcton on Dec 14, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions
LB is still coaching college ball
He sits players with 2 fouls in the first quarter like they used to in the old 5 foul college days.
He sits rookies in the NBA because when he looks at them all he sees is underclassmen & junior varsity that couldn’t possibly have the skills of his Juniors and Seniors.
I say we work out a deal where he goes to Duke and we get Coach K. That way the Carolina fans will never run out of exciting things to say.
by Ourdaywillcome on Dec 14, 2009 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Hahaha...Southtunnel will lose it.
Blogging at Ridiculous Upside, where my terrible writing meets people's eyes.
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