Kofi Inkoom
When Scoot Henderson took the court on his NBA debut for the Portland Trail Blazers against the LA Clippers on Wednesday night, there was a high expectation among Blazer fans that he would perform at a level similar to the rookie version of Damian Lillard.
However, his performance fell significantly short of those expectations. Scoot encountered difficulties in his NBA debut.
Even after the tough debut, Clippers’ All-Star Paul George remains confident that the third overall pick will ultimately become a great player.
Following the Clippers’ victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on opening night, Paul George took a moment after the game to express his admiration for Scoot Henderson.
“This is not a game to judge him on,” George said. “It’s his first game, he’s a helluva talent. You can tell he’s going to be good. I’m a fan of his game, I like his game. I’ve seen him and watched him for a while now.”
Paul George on Scoot Henderson:
“This is not a game to judge him on. It was his 1st game. He’s a hell of a talent. You can tell he’s going to be good…. He was attacking, he was trying to find guys. He was trying to be aggressive. And he’ll figure it out”pic.twitter.com/L7QFya2PAQ
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 26, 2023
In his first appearance on the court, Henderson recorded 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while making 5 out of 11 field goal attempts.
It’s worth emphasizing that the bulk of Scoot’s points were accumulated during the late stages of the game when the outcome was no longer in doubt.
For the most part of the game, Scoot encountered considerable difficulties and had a tough time.
Paul George also remarked, “It’s a typical scenario, his first game, a learning process.”
He acknowledged that the challenge was formidable as Henderson faced one of the NBA’s top 5 defenses.
Henderson encountered formidable defenders in George, Kawhi, Russ, RoCo, and others, which made it challenging for him to find a rhythm in his approach and gameplay.
George expressed confidence in Henderson’s potential, particularly under the guidance of a great coach like Chauncey Billups. He commended Henderson for his aggressiveness.
George further emphasized that not every exceptional player starts off as extraordinary from the beginning.
He cited examples of legendary figures like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and even Kobe Bryant, who didn’t achieve greatness immediately.
He encouraged Scoot Henderson not to be disheartened, to learn from his mistakes, and to seek guidance from seasoned veterans like Paul George.
Scoot’s NBA journey remains promising, and he could potentially find an opportunity for a comeback as the Trail Blazers face off against the Orlando Magic at the Moda Center this Friday.