Charlotte Bobcats Must Retain Gerald Henderson for Next Season
First of all, I’m going to admit that I am probably the biggest Gerald Henderson fanboy out there.
He’s done more for this team than any player currently on the roster, he’s played hard through adversity, he’s been on the only decent Charlotte Bobcats team in the history of the franchise, and he’s a remarkable athlete who can get it done on both sides of the ball.
I knew last season was an indication that Henderson had emerged from his shell and that he was heading for big things. Unfortunately, an injury sidelined him for much of the beginning of the 2012-13 season, and he never fully recovered until after the All-Star break.
But once he recovered, it was a spectacle.
It seemed like every night during the last half of the season, Henderson was absolutely unstoppable. He has good length and size for his position, and he is able to even be slotted in at small forward, making him a versatile player, and a veteran that the Bobcats absolutely must retain in his restricted free agency this season.
Even with the super-athletic and highly skilled Ben McLemore on tap in the draft, Henderson is the guy the Bobcats must keep as they continue to build a decent team.
With the incredible improvement of Kemba Walker during the season, Gerald Henderson was finally not the only scoring threat on the court, like he was for essentially all of last season.
Better yet, his chemistry with Josh McRoberts both on and off the court showed, as the two Duke teammates gelled immediately once McRob put on a Bobcats uniform.
What is Gerald Henderson good at? Well, just about everything.
Offense
Henderson has a variety of tools that he uses to baffle defenders. He’s excellent at creating his own plays, driving to the hoop, making acrobatic layups and he can posterize players at times.
His bread and butter is, and always has been, his mid-range jump shot. He is most comfortable shooting from about 16-18 feet out, and he makes those shots at a high percentage.
Up until the 2012-13 season, Henderson’s biggest weaknesses offensively were three-point shooting and creating for others, but even both of those things improved pretty dramatically this season. It was clear Henderson put a lot of work in both his passing and playmaking abilities during this offseason, and he wasn’t lying when he said his top priority during the offseason had been to improve his three-point shot.
Though his 2.6 assists per game isn’t going to rock anyone’s world, it was all a matter of perspective. Henderson often made brilliant passes that led to baskets without being credited for the assist. He moved the ball very well.
His 3P percentage shot up from 23.4 the previous season to 33 percent in 2012-13. One offseason of hard work and Henderson added 10 percentage points to his three-pointer, and I think it’s going to continue to rise.
Defense
Henderson has always been highly regarded as one of the better defenders on the wing in the conference, even if his basic statistics don’t quite show it. Henderson is a fairly lockdown guy who manages to keep opposing shooting guards in check, and he’s capable of guarding up to the small forward, as I mentioned earlier.
Henderson had 1.0 steal per game in 2012-13, and he blocked 0.5 shots per game. Again, the stats don’t really do Hendo much justice in terms of what he actually did on the defensive end.
He has quick, accurate hands to disrupt ball handling and passing, his feet and lateral quickness are fantastic, and (when not being forced into zone defense like the majority of this past season) he sticks to his man like glue. Henderson will benefit from a coach, unlike Mike Dunlap, who utilizes man-defense more than zone.
One criticism that is occasionally made about Henderson defensively is the fact that he tends to try to do too much. A true team player, Henderson will pick up a man lost by one of his teammates, but as a result, he can get a bit off track and will occasionally wander out of his zone.
Charlotte had terrible perimeter defense this past season, but almost all of the blame should be pointed toward Mike Dunlap’s absurd notion that his 2-3 zone defense wasn’t broken. Henderson is a high-octane defender, and he’ll continue to prove that with a better coaching scheme.
What about Ben McLemore?
I’m also a huge Ben McLemore fan. He’s easily the most polished player in this draft, and he will eventually be an All-Star one day.
Mac and Hendo share some similarities—they’re roughly the same size (Henderson having a little more length and muscle), they’re both top-notch athletes, and they’re both very good offensive producers.
However, despite McLemore‘s ability to score with consistency from three-point land (42 percent with Kansas in 2012-13), he is not exactly what anyone would call a “playmaker” yet. He doesn’t do nearly as well as Henderson off the dribble, and Henderson’s ball-handling skills are vastly superior to McLemore‘s.
The point is, while McLemore would be an absolutely fantastic addition to this team if Henderson wasn’t around, the Bobcats should stick with Hendo. McLemore would be a rookie, and Henderson is already a fantastic leader with local ties to the city of Charlotte. He knows this team inside and out, and he’s absolutely irreplaceable in terms of intangibles.
The bottom line
Henderson is probably going to get a much-deserved raise this summer. But he wants to return to Charlotte and help make this team respectable. The Charlotte Bobcats should make it a priority to keep Henderson this offseason, as long as a team doesn’t make an absurd offer for the shooting guard.
Players respect him. He’s proven to be a clutch player, an exciting player, and the rock of this team. With a new coaching staff coming in, and a lot of changes coming this team’s way in the next two years, it would be a travesty if they let Hendo go.
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Gerald Green’s Creativity Will Net Him Second NBA Dunk Contest Title
The biggest stars, including LeBron James will not participate in the NBA’s 2013 Dunk Contest. Gerald Green (a former Dunk Contest champ) and others skilled at the slam dunk will be, though.
There’s no reason not to tune into the Saturday night’s main event. If you like basketball you’ll love the creative and dynamic performances these six individuals will have on display.
Green, 27, who is making his return after a five-year hiatus, won the 2007 competition, but failed to defend in 2008, in spite of demonstrating great creativity. He was trumped by the antics of the much more popular Dwight Howard.
Back during those two competitions, Green showed true originality, though, while getting the fans and judges involved in the action. Selling dunks and getting people into the charade is part of the deal. That buildup only added to the hype for his slams, as he followed through and executed them perfectly.
There were an awful lot of “10′s” after Green was done throwing down, including a perfect score on his final leaping windmill that brought the crowd and judges to their feet.
Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Devine spoke with Green on Friday and the former champ had some surprising news to report:
I think I want to do something different. I want to try to do something that … obviously, you know, I think this is going to be my last dunk contest, so I want to do something that everybody will remember.
With Green likely set to retire for good from the competition, he will likely come out guns blazing.
In Green’s likely last hurrah in the contest, will we see another display like in 2007, a mixed bag like in 2008 or an epic finale that people will be talking about for years to come?
Only Green knows what he’s going to unleash and we’ll have to wait to find out.
It’s true that the other five competitors are no slouches, but Green’s looking to go out with a bang. There’s no doubt he’ll have something unbelievable in his bag of tricks to win the event and leave a statement that will not soon be forgotten.
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Kobe Bryant posterizes Gerald Williams and Kris Humpries with one huge slam (Video)
NBA superstar Kobe Bryant posterized Brooklyn Nets defenders Gerald Williams and Kris Humphries with a huge slam dunk down the stretch of Tuesday night’s L.A. Lakers road game at the Barclays Center.
Bryant’s dunk brought the fans to their feet and even had them chanting “MVP!” down the stretch of the Lakers’ 92-83 victory.
Bryant led the Lakers with 21 points, and proved with this dunk that he still has plenty left in the tank.
Video via NBA.
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Kobe dunks on Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries
Kobe still has flashes of Young Bean in regard to getting up on the dunks. He can’t do it often, but when he does it reminds of the type of explosiveness he had in his prime. The Lakers without Dwight Howard, Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol who injured his ankle during the game still were able to get the win against the Nets. Highlighted by the NEO Bryant dunk. H/T @CJZero
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Gerald Wallace Rips Brooklyn: ‘Typical Nets Basketball, We Don’t Play Together’
The Brooklyn Nets have lost three of their last four games, and Gerald Wallace is disgusted.
Per Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com, Wallace didn’t attempt to hide his displeasure after the Nets dropped their 13th consecutive game to the Miami Heat (0-3 this season):
“Typical Nets basketball,” Wallace said of the third. “We don’t play together. Careless turnovers. We don’t execute offensively. And defensively, we don’t do anything. We don’t defend. We don’t guard the ball. We don’t help each other out. It’s the same story as it’s been all season.”
As brutal as Wallace’s sentiments may be, he has a valid point. In Miami’s three victories over Brooklyn this season, it has won by an average of 21 points.
And as Wallace points out, that margin of victory doesn’t bode well for the Nets’ championship aspirations:
It’s disappointing, because in any sport you measure yourself against the champions, and they’re the champions, and they’ve embarrassed us all three times. What does that say for us as a team trying to be a championship team?
To answer Wallace’s question: Not much.
Brooklyn is 6-17 against opponents above .500 this season, a showing that’s hardly indicative of a playoff-caliber team, let alone a championship one. And the 100-plus points it has allowed in three of its last four games (all losses) doesn’t justify its identity as a defensive juggernaut.
Internal critiques can often be misconstrued as griping, but Wallace was merely venting—while speaking the truth.
Chalking the Nets’ most recent loss up to the added motivation Reggie Evans provided LeBron James may seem logical, but that’s merely an excuse. And the Nets have officially run out of excuses.
“I really don’t know what’s wrong,” Wallace said.
That he could even admit that suggests Brooklyn’s struggles are approaching a point beyond repair.
*All stats used in this article were compiled from Basketball-Reference, Synergy Sports and 82games.com, unless otherwise noted.
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Gerald Wallace calls out teammates
The Brooklyn Nets had a lot of hype surrounding them coming into this season, and unlike their New York counterpart Knicks, they have not quite lived up to it. With a deep roster and star power, the Nets were expected to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Their frustrations were summed up by swing man Gerald Wallace, who called out his teammates for their complacency amongst a bad streak. Always enjoy talking to Gerald because he gets it. He has no problem saying what’s on his mind & he brought the heat during a postgame chat — Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 27, 2012 Gerald: “Guys are content with the situation we are in & I’m f—— pissed off about us losing, especially losing the way we are losing.” — Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 27, 2012 This is coming off of a game where the Nets looked very bad against another struggling team, the Boston Celtics, on Christmas day. It is still early in the season, but not early enough where bad losses can just be shrugged off. Th
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What’s Gerald Wallace’s Frustration Say About Deron Williams and Co.?
The honeymoon period in Brooklyn is over.
Professional sports returned to the city, but did so in the form of the 14-14 Nets.
They’re not the laughing stock they have been in recent seasons, but their uninspired play of late has borne some resemblances.
Following the team’s most recent showing, a 108-93 drubbing at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, emotions have started to sink in.
With just three wins in their past 12 games, the Nets have gone from playoff lock to hopeful in a matter of weeks.
And that fact doesn’t sit well with star forward Gerald Wallace, who suggests that it may not be taking the same toll on all of his teammates:
Gerald: “Guys are content with the situation we are in & I’m f—— pissed off about us losing, especially losing the way we are losing.”
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 27, 2012
Wallace isn’t the first NBA star to ever voice his complaints. But his words carry a different meaning than most.
His approach to the game of basketball (win at all physical and emotional costs) has earned him the nickname “Crash.” Frankly, his style is one seen far too infrequently in today’s NBA, particularly among players who, like himself, would have a spot on an NBA roster even without giving their best effort on a nightly basis.
But Wallace understands that the only way to maximize his natural abilities, and therefore put his team in the best position to win, is by showing that same intensity that makes him a fan favorite among basketball purists and casual fans alike:
Wife/daughter reached quick consensus: Gerald Wallace is favorite Net. Wife likes his defense. Daughter likes that he’s called “Crash.”
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) December 23, 2012
He knows how to read his team, and adapts his game accordingly.
Luckily for Brooklyn, he has the kind of game that affords him that versatility. When the team needs points, he’ll find them (six 15-plus-point outings already this season). When his team needs a defensive stop, it’s Wallace drawing the assignment on both post and perimeter players.
And when there’s a loose ball on the floor, it’s a safe bet that a diving Wallace isn’t too far behind.
With Deron Williams (wrist) sidelined for the aforementioned Milwaukee game, naturally it was Wallace who led his club with a game-high eight assists.
The Nets have the superstar talent to not only grab a playoff berth in the weaker Eastern Conference, but also grab a series win or two before their season is over.
But the NBA won’t just hand them a free pass to the postseason, no matter how much cake their flashy ownership group and fancy arena can bring the league and the city.
It will take an effort like that of Wallace’s. Frankly, it will take an effort far greater than what’s been put forth by a number of his teammates throughout the 2012-13 regular season.
*All statistics used in this article are accurate as of 12/26/2012.
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Gerald Henderson’s huge dunk vs. Lakers
Usually when the Lakers are in a highlight on here, they’re the ones throwing down dunks or tossing around sweet alley-oops, but not tonight. Tonight that award belongs to Gerald Henderson of the Charlotte Bobcats. Yes, you read that right. In the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 101-100 win over the Bobcats on Tuesday night, Henderson gathered a pass in the lane and took off, throwing down a dunk over Dwight Howard while being fouled. It was, in a word, sick.
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Dwight Howard Watches as Gerald Henderson Throws Down Dunk-of-Year Nominee
You know those moments in an NBA game that cause you to jump out of your seat and make sounds that aren’t found in an English dictionary? That just happened.
Dwight Howard could only watch as Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson threw down a dunk-of-the-year nominee.
If you thought Blake Griffin’s dunks over Kendrick Perkins and Pau Gasol were phenomenal, wait until you see someone five inches shorter do the same thing over D-12.
You know you’re doing something right when you have the “Wow!” moment on a night which Joakim Noah posted a triple-double and Tim Duncan put up 31 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals.
Twitter instantly erupted, crowning Hendo as the man of the evening.
LakersNation easily had the Tweet of the night.
Gerald Henderson is my favorite Slamball player.
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) December 19, 2012
As for those who believe this wasn’t a dunk, don’t forget how D-12 won a Slam Dunk Contest. Per his own rules, that was an official throwdown!
Just ask ESPN’s J.A. Adande.
Per Dwight Howard’s own rules, that Gerald Henderson throwdown counts as a dunk even though he didn’t hit the rim. Lakers up, 92-89
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) December 19, 2012
You don’t have to say it, SportsCenter already did.
Gerald Henderson just jumped into the stratosphere to throw down an #SCtop10 worthy dunk.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 19, 2012
This is the type of highlight that will define Henderson’s rapidly rising career. Just don’t think he’s limited to that, folks, this kid is special. This was just the video he’ll show his grandkids when they speak of D-12 being an all-time great.
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Gerald Wallace fined for flopping
The NBA has issued a $5,000 fine to Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace for flopping.
The fine was issued for Wallace’s second violation of the NBA’s new rules against the practice which encourages referees to issue fouls after a player over-exaggerates the impact of contact from another player.
Please Click Here To Read This Story & Watch A Video Of The Flop That Got Wallace Fined.
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