Philadelphia 76ers Gerald Henderson Definitely Worth Keeping
In a closely contested loss, Philadelphia 76ers Gerald Henderson held the team’s focus, proving he is worth keeping as the team assembles their roster going forward.
It was a critical moment in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics. Down by four, the Celtics had the ball. The moment was not lost on me… the Philadelphia 76ers needed a player to step up. Almost on queue, Gerald Henderson stripped the ball for a steal. In the ongoing action on the offensive side of the ball, Henderson drew a critical foul with the shot clock running out.
On a night without Joel Embiid, the team seemed to be hunting for a player to step up at virtually each momentum swing. Gerald Henderson made his presence felt.
In the game, Henderson took smart fouls, made his presence felt on the boards. He handed out some assists, and scored 13 points. The Philadelphia 76ers would lose the game by one precious point. But the team stuck together throughout the contest. Henderson was focused on the moment, on each moment, and delivered as best he could.
So far for the season, Henderson is playing above his career averages despite a four game slump as November wound down.
But he rebounded nicely in December. In fact, he is one of the constants who is content to work as supporting cast for the team’s exciting youth movement.
Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Gerald Henderson (12) passes the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
No Spotlights, Please
He is not the flashy scorer who will pump in 30 points in a night. Nor will he take over the game by pulling in boards. He’s content to allow teammate Dario Saric to find the pulse with a 21 point 12 rebound performance.
Make no mistake, this game was led by Henderson. In a game that should have been a significant margin loss on paper, the game was surprisingly competitive. The Philadelphia 76ers actually held the lead throughout the contest until midway through the third quarter, when the Celtics small ball peskiness allowed the team to go on a 9-0 run
The game was winnable, despite the absence of rookie sensation Joel Embiid. But it was a game that could have easily fallen into chaos. The Philadelphia 76ers are a team in transition. Nerlens Noel, Ben Simmons, and Jerryd Bayless continue to rehab this season. Simmons is the projected point guard, a position he will be debuting at in the NBA.
The spotlight of this team is trained on the rookies. And for good reason. Rookie center Joel Embiid is the hands down front-runner in NBA Rookie Of the Year discussions. Teammate and fellow rookie Dario Saric is runner-up in those talks.
While Henderson is not the flash and splash variety, he is impacting this team in equally important and destiny changing ways. He is a known on a team of uncertainties.
Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) directs teammates during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Team Transition
Meanwhile, the team is trying to adapt to the return of Noel to the lineup, despite the fact that Noel remains outspoken about the team’s current roster makeup.
This is a team still assembling the roster going forward, still trying to get healthy, and still trying to find an NBA identity. Or perhaps this team has found it.
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Henderson is the perfect poster child of this team’s psyche. He’s tough, passionate, and will give you 50 minutes of 48 minute regulation play. That is the mentality of the shooting guard, and his will is being imposed upon his teammates.
When Ben Simmons arrives, it’s my hope that TImothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will have elevated his game to earn more minutes to pair up with the new point guard. But as TLC emerges, Henderson’s role becomes even more important.
If NBA players truly require three to four years to mature, then Henderson is the ideal long term mentor for this team’s back court. Team president Bryan Colangelo can bring the rookies to the roster. Head coach Brett Brown can develop them into NBA caliber players. But players like Henderson are needed to forge the unshakable faith and passion for the game, the switch that “kicks in” when the game is on the line.
The Philadelphia 76ers are a team in significant transition. Gerald Henderson is needed, not only for what he delivers on the court, but for what he will inspire in these rookies tomorrow.
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