Mike Richman here, the host of the daily Locked On Blazers podcast, with your daily Locked On Blazers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Blazers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Can Scoot Henderson Thrive as a Pass First Point Guard?
Jan 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The NBA landscape has shifted dramatically over the years, and with it, the role of the point guard. Watching Scoot Henderson develop in his second season with the Portland Trail Blazers, an intriguing question arises: Is he a player out of time?
This idea was first proposed by a listener nearly a year ago, suggesting that Henderson might be an anachronism – a player whose style belongs to a different era. At the time, it seemed premature to make such a judgment. However, as we approach 1.5 seasons of the Henderson experience, the question has gained more traction.
Henderson has undoubtedly improved in his sophomore year. His decision-making, comfort level, and timing have all taken steps forward. Yet, his individual scoring hasn’t made the leap many hoped for. This has led to speculation about whether Henderson is evolving into a pass-first point guard in a league that increasingly demands scoring from the position.
The NBA has largely moved away from traditional pass-first floor generals. Today’s star point guards are expected to be scoring threats first, with playmaking as a complementary skill. Players like Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Paul, who balance scoring and playmaking, are rare exceptions rather than the norm.
This shift poses a challenge for Henderson’s development and potential ceiling. While there’s still a place for pass-first guards in the league, they’re typically relegated to backup roles. Players like Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, and T.J. McConnell exemplify this archetype, but they’re not the focal points of their teams’ offenses.
The concern isn’t about Henderson’s talent or potential. It’s about whether his natural inclinations align with the demands of a modern NBA lead guard. To reach star status, Henderson will likely need to develop into a more potent scoring threat.
However, it’s crucial to remember that Henderson is only 20 years old. His game is still evolving, and it’s far too early to pigeonhole him into a specific role. The key for Henderson and the Blazers will be finding the right balance between his natural playmaking instincts and the scoring aggression required in today’s NBA.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Scoot Henderson’s development and the changing landscape of NBA point guards, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
• The impact of losing on team culture and player morale
• Anfernee Simons’ struggles and the challenges of rebuilding
• The potential of Donovan Clingan and his fit with the Blazers
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview The Portland Trail Blazers face off against the New Orleans Pelicans in a key matchup. Keep an eye on Zion Williamson and the dynamics between Sharpe, Simons, and McCollum.
Injury The Trail Blazers’ injury report includes Jerami Grant, Deni Avdija, and Matisse Thybulle, affecting their upcoming game against the Pelicans. Check out the latest injury updates for more details. (Blazers Edge)
Prediction Updated win-loss predictions for the Trail Blazers in the 2024-25 NBA season suggest an intense battle for playoff positioning. Explore the full predictions to see how experts are forecasting the remainder of their season. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Trail Blazers are taking on the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Blazers podcasts.
Deni Avdija Is Finding His Rhythm But Trail Blazers Lose in Memphis The good news: Deni Avdija is finding his footing. The bad news: Pretty much everything else.
Anfernee Simons Delivers in the Clutch as Trail Blazers Get Bounce Back Win in Houston Anfernee Simons scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and the Trail Blazers avenged an ugly loss on Friday night with a clutch win over the same Houston Rockets on Saturday.
Can the Trail Blazers Follow The Houston Rockets Rebuild Path? | Game Preview with Locked On Rockets A crossover edition of the show with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets, previewing the Trail Blazers two games against the Rockets on Friday and Saturday.
