Jordan Takes Henderson Under Wing

[cdandi1]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/20/2945434/drive-to-succeed.html

Bobcats owner Michael Jordan recently gave Henderson a video that Jordan helped edit. For lack of a better description, it was the good and bad of Henderson’s first dozen games this season: Plays that succeeded, others that didn’t.

Mostly, it was about how best to get to the foul line, something Jordan excelled at throughout a Hall of Fame career.

“It was so helpful,” Henderson said following Friday’s practice. “I watch tape all the time, but to get someone else’s eyes on it, you get such a different outlook. Particularly when it’s him.”

Jordan has taken a great personal interest in Henderson’s development. It started before the lockout when Jordan advised Henderson to focus on his ball handling, because without the ability to drive to the rim, Henderson was forfeiting what’s best about his game.

Over time, they’ve developed a bond.

“He’s a great kid with the right work ethic. He can be a really good basketball player, and if I can do what it takes to get him there, I will,” Jordan told the Observer. “I told him to work at shooting 50 percent from the field – don’t just take a lot of shots. And free throws are just what they sound like – free points. Someone with his abilities should be getting to the line all the time.”

The video Jordan gave Henderson spliced Henderson’s performances with what the best in the game do. The video staff found examples of how Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony create trips to the foul line in just the way Henderson should emulate.

“For a lot of guys, talking basketball is just blowing smoke,” Jordan said. “It’s not with him – he’s determined to improve, and that’s what I wanted to see.”

Jordan recalls Henderson seeking him out in training camp. Jordan forwarded Henderson his schedule and then laid back, waiting to see how Henderson would react.

“He searched me out,” Jordan said. “That told me how serious he was about improving.”

It’s a strange pair, these two: The penultimate North Carolina Tar Heel mentoring a Duke Blue Devil. But Jordan is Henderson’s biggest advocate. When former coach Larry Brown suggested trading Henderson because he wasn’t playing, Jordan always countered it was too early to give up on Henderson’s potential.

Now it’s paying off. Henderson is averaging 15.1 points and 4.7 rebounds. He’s shooting 47 percent from the field. And after Jordan passed on that video, Henderson started attacking the basket to great effect.

Henderson took 31 free throws in the last three games. Compare that to the first 12 games, when Henderson totaled 16 free-throw attempts.

That’s about Jordan and his gravitas.

“He’s the best player of all time – everybody knows that,” Henderson said.

“He’s got a basketball mind – he’s always thinking the game. It helps me more than it would a lot of guys because we play the same position. He knows the angles and everything you need to know to be successful at that position. The shooting, the driving, the defense – he’s used to guarding guys who look just like us.”

How often do they talk?

“Whenever he’s around. We have a very good relationship – he’s one of my biggest supporters,” Henderson said. “Obviously growing up, he was my favorite player.”

I found this encouraging and interesting...Henderson's development has really taken off in the last year or so.

I went through and compiled some stats from Henderson's first 12 games compared to the last three (since Jordan's sit-down with Hendo)..strictly offensively.

First 12 Games v Last 3 Games

PPG: 13.4 v 21.6

FG%: 42.75 v 59.3

FTAPG: 1.3 v 10.3

I hope these newer trends turn into the usual.

[d-run]

I found this encouraging and interesting...Henderson's development has really taken off in the last year or so.

I went through and compiled some stats from Henderson's first 12 games compared to the last three (since Jordan's sit-down with Hendo)..strictly offensively.

First 12 Games v Last 3 Games

PPG: 13.4 v 21.6

FG%: 42.75 v 59.3

FTAPG: 1.3 v 10.3

I hope these newer trends turn into the usual.

Yeah I said in a different thread that Hendo hadn't taken the step this year that I had hoped for. The way he has played the last few games is the step I was talking about. Hopefully he keeps it up and continues to grow as a player.

[Swarly]

as a massive UNC fan Henderson is probably my favorite Bobcat. I see so much potential in him, I just wish our team wasn't so fuging awful.