John Henson the best fit next to Cousins?

#31
Just a tidbit, Chad Ford just had his latest mock draft and had us draft Thomas Robinson adding in his summary, that JOHN Henson is the darkhorse at this spot.
I think Henson is very high on a lot of lotto teams draft board right now. His rebounding/block numbers are really nice considering he played next to another future NBA center, Zeller.

I think he's a great fit next to Cousins...in two or three years. He does need a lot of filling out to be effective.

I'd be fine with that pick.
 

hrdboild

Moloch in whom I dream Angels!
Staff member
#32
If we draft John Henson with the #5 pick I'm going to be pissed. His numbers look good, he seems to fill a need nicely on paper, but I've never been impressed with him. He might be able to stick as a role player in the league but that's it. And he's somehow going to have to find a way to get stronger. I liked Whiteside more as a prospect than Henson and we got him in the second round.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#33
If we draft John Henson with the #5 pick I'm going to be pissed. His numbers look good, he seems to fill a need nicely on paper, but I've never been impressed with him. He might be able to stick as a role player in the league but that's it. And he's somehow going to have to find a way to get stronger. I liked Whiteside more as a prospect than Henson and we got him in the second round.
Henson is one of those players thats hard to argue against. He had good results at North Carolina. God knows I've seen him play as much or more than any other player in the draft. I really, really, really, really tried to fall in love with him. And I couldn't... So I'm going on pure gut here. Now if I'm picking down at 12 or below, I'd be fine with Henson. But at number five, nope! As I said, its hard to argue against him. Other than the fact he's as thin as a beanpole, he rebounded well. He blocked shots, and improved his shooting and scoring from year to year. He did everything he was susposed to do. And yet, I still can fall in love with him as a player.

So I have no legitimate arguement against drafting him, other than my gut feeling that we would be passing on much better players to make a reach for a need. I certainly hope I'm wrong if we make that reach.
 
#34
Watching the Western Conference finals makes me hate the thought of adding yet another terrible shooter/ft shooter to the roster. Not that that should be the sticking point... if they feel that Henson is gonna block shots and rebound at a similar rate in the pros as he did in college then he'd be a great pickup. Just saying though... the guys high point from the stripe is 51%.
 

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#35
Watching the Western Conference finals makes me hate the thought of adding yet another terrible shooter/ft shooter to the roster. Not that that should be the sticking point... if they feel that Henson is gonna block shots and rebound at a similar rate in the pros as he did in college then he'd be a great pickup. Just saying though... the guys high point from the stripe is 51%.
Yeah, but you didn't mention the part about the final four teams right now all being exceptional defensive teams. I'd love to get to the WCF and worry about a hack-a-Drummond or hack-a-Henson when the time comes. Much better than once again missing the playoffs and not adding defensive players due to their FT shooting. Doubt many Det fans cared when Wallace wasn't a good FT shooter. They were too busy buying tickets to their next playoff game.
 
#36
Two different sources claimed Henson was in play for the Kings. Amick today, and Ford the last two days (most recently in his chat that just wrapped up.

I must say, I really like it. I would agree to a point that #5 for Henson MAY be reaching, although it's hard to tell what a reach really is until you see the player progress. Henson is another guys who's combine numbers will tell a lot. I would imagine his wingspan is off the charts, and it will be interesting to see what kind of weight, if any, he has put on since the season ended.

I've always liked the numbers. Taking the fact that it is a really high pick out of it for a second .. a 6'11 guy 13ppg on 12 shots. 9.9 rebounds. 3 blocked shots all while only fouling at a 1.6per game clip.

To be clear, If we drafted Henson at #5 I would be more happy than upset. I would say bravo to Petrie for taking a chance on his guy. I would applaud the direction. Spending a top 5 pick on a guy known for his defense and shotblocking. Drafting your future next to Cousins. I like what the Henson pick would say. It tells me that we are done with the scoring, done with the shooting, done with the purely skill guys. It tells me we are now going for the glue that makes a team a team. We are going for balance. It would tell me that we finally realize what the team needs to win in this league.

Why can't Henson be Ibaka? ESPN list's Ibaka at 6'10 235. Draft Express lists Henson at 6'11 220 .. so 15 pounds mean's Henson can't be that kind of impact player? He can put on that weight. Hell, this organization is actually pretty good at that stuff. Look at the progress Whiteside has made on his body. Henson's little jumper has also been progressing the way Ibaka has developed his. Henson's post game is also OK. Not great, but at least there is something there to possibly build off of.

 
Last edited by a moderator:

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#37
Two different sources claimed Henson was in play for the Kings. Amick today, and Ford the last two days (most recently in his chat that just wrapped up.

I must say, I really like it. I would agree to a point that #5 for Henson MAY be reaching, although it's hard to tell what a reach really is until you see the player progress. Henson is another guys who's combine numbers will tell a lot. I would imagine his wingspan is off the charts, and it will be interesting to see what kind of weight, if any, he has put on since the season ended.

I've always liked the numbers. Taking the fact that it is a really high pick out of it for a second .. a 6'11 guy 13ppg on 12 shots. 9.9 rebounds. 3 blocked shots all while only fouling at a 1.6per game clip.

To be clear, If we drafted Henson at #5 I would be more happy than upset. I would say bravo to Petrie for taking a chance on his guy. I would applaud the direction. Spending a top 5 pick on a guy known for his defense and shotblocking. Drafting your future next to Cousins. I like what the Henson pick would say. It tells me that we are done with the scoring, done with the shooting, done with the purely skill guys. It tells me we are now going for the glue that makes a team a team. We are going for balance. It would tell me that we finally realize what the team needs to win in this league.

Why can't Henson be Ibaka? ESPN list's Ibaka at 6'10 235. Draft Express lists Henson at 6'11 220 .. so 15 pounds mean's Henson can't be that kind of impact player? He can put on that weight. Hell, this organization is actually pretty good at that stuff. Look at the progress Whiteside has made on his body. Henson's little jumper has also been progressing the way Ibaka has developed his. Henson's post game is also OK. Not great, but at least there is something there to possibly build off of.



Here's the difference in the Robinson reports and the Henson reports. The Robinson reports make me grind my teeth because they seem to be the result of wrong thinking. Bad strategy. Non-recognition of our problems and team structure.

The Henson reports worry me too...but they worry me because I have concerns about the player, and specifically his ability to bang bodies with the grown men of the NBA. However, it is the right STYLE of player. Interest in Henson is not wrong thinking. If the front office gets to #5 and they take Henson over Drummond because they truly think Henson will be a better defender/shotblocker than Drummond in the NBA...well, I am worried they are wrong. But at least they had the right idea and I'll just have to cross my fingers on the ir talent assessment.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#38
According to SHC, the Kings have Henson coming in Monday for a workout.

Scott Howard-Cooper ‏@SHowardCooper
PF John Henson has Kings workout Monday. No. 5 is high for him, but makes sense. SAC needs that position and definitely needs that defense. Henson only about 215 pounds, a problem. But one exec said Carolina PF will be a superstar on D. Others see game-changer potential as well.
 
#40
Here's the difference in the Robinson reports and the Henson reports. The Robinson reports make me grind my teeth because they seem to be the result of wrong thinking. Bad strategy. Non-recognition of our problems and team structure.

The Henson reports worry me too...but they worry me because I have concerns about the player, and specifically his ability to bang bodies with the grown men of the NBA. However, it is the right STYLE of player. Interest in Henson is not wrong thinking. If the front office gets to #5 and they take Henson over Drummond because they truly think Henson will be a better defender/shotblocker than Drummond in the NBA...well, I am worried they are wrong. But at least they had the right idea and I'll just have to cross my fingers on the ir talent assessment.
I guess we'll have another thing to check out when the combine measurements are out - Henson's weight. I think he can fix that faster than Robinson can fix his height and Drummond can fix his problems.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#41
According to SHC, the Kings have Henson coming in Monday for a workout.
Scott Howard-Cooper ‏@SHowardCooper
PF John Henson has Kings workout Monday. No. 5 is high for him, but makes sense. SAC needs that position and definitely needs that defense. Henson only about 215 pounds, a problem. But one exec said Carolina PF will be a superstar on D. Others see game-changer potential as well.
Only 215 lbs would be a problem? Ya think? Tyreke has apparently trimmed down this summer...and is still 219. String beans who made it like Theo Ratliff were still 225. So were ones who didn't like Justin Williams (225) and Michael Stewart (230). Kevin Durant is listed at 235 anymore.
 
Last edited:
#43
Well then I guess Anthony Davis is going to be a bust as well. He's only 5 pounds heavier than Henson. Obviously neither guy will be able to play at their current weight in the NBA post without getting killed. They both need to meet with their team trainer after the draft and get on a program to add muscle.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#44
Well then I guess Anthony Davis is going to be a bust as well. He's only 5 pounds heavier than Henson. Obviously neither guy will be able to play at their current weight in the NBA post without getting killed. They both need to meet with their team trainer after the draft and get on a program to add muscle.
There is a difference. Henson has been trying to put on weight for the last four years. He came out of highschool weighing around 185 pounds. Now he weighs 215/220. Davis came out of highschool weighing 220. Plus he has a bigger frame than Henson. If for some reason we draft Henson, we need to get him into the weight room and on a diet to put on muscle.
 
#46
Only 215 lbs would be a problem? Ya think? Tyreke has apparently trimmed down this summer...and is still 219. String beans who made it like Theo Ratliff were still 225. So were ones who didn't like Justin Williams (225) and Michael Stewart (230). Kevin Durant is listed at 235 anymore.

To be somewhat fair, it's not just height in the NBA that is exaggerated. So is weight. In a couple years, Henson will be listed at 225, regardless of whether he actually weighs that. That said, it's obviously a problem that he is so light. I did think he got a little bigger from his second to third year, and I'm sure he can put on more weight with professional help. There is no way that he has reached his genetic potential already. Whether he actually reaches that is another story altogether!

I like Henson. I think he's a very good defender and shotblocker, as well as rebounder. He also developed a little offensive game so he won't be a liability. The problem is obviously the weight. I'm just in two minds about whether he can overcome it. At least it shows the FO are looking in the right general direction.

BTW, Henson is a pretty smart kid with a good attitude. Always important for a young team in particular. He's also a pretty damn good athlete apart from the strength. Surprisingly explosive given his size.



Some of those blocks will have Brick drooling (rightly so).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
#48
Henson vs Drummond is an interesting one.
If Drummond had Henson's production in college we would be talking about him now being in contention as the #1 pick. Drummond's ceiling is significantly higher but the only thing standing between Henson being a great defensive pro is that body. No one is convinced he can put on enough weight to bang with NBA bigs on a nightly basis. Look at those legs, they are like 2 toothpicks :(

I like Henson as a player but I am a skeptic when it comes to him actually developing a body for the NBA. Someone mentioned Ibaka...not even close. Ibaka just about had a perfect body for a PF. The dude is a unit, check out his shoulders and then compare them to Henson's shoulders...chalk and cheese.

Henson is a Kevin Martin of PFs.
 
#49
If Drummond had Henson's production in college we would be talking about him now being in contention as the #1 pick. Drummond's ceiling is significantly higher but the only thing standing between Henson being a great defensive pro is that body. No one is convinced he can put on enough weight to bang with NBA bigs on a nightly basis. Look at those legs, they are like 2 toothpicks :(

I like Henson as a player but I am a skeptic when it comes to him actually developing a body for the NBA. Someone mentioned Ibaka...not even close. Ibaka just about had a perfect body for a PF. The dude is a unit, check out his shoulders and then compare them to Henson's shoulders...chalk and cheese.

Henson is a Kevin Martin of PFs.
I agree with you on Ibaka for the most part. When I compared the two I was just talking about weight and how they can impact the game, not body type. Henson is clearly the lanky guy while Ibaka is built like a house, but it terms of actual weight, they are only about 15 pounds away from each other (depending on which sites you believe).

I think Henson is a special shot blocker though. Much like Ibaka is a special shot blocker.

I believe in John Henson, but I can see why some people have their doubts. The truth is, unless MKG slides to us I have doubt's about the other potential picks at 5 as well. Is Robinson too short? is Drummond the next Thabeet (I happen to like Drummond as well) ... aside from Davis, all of the other players have their own flaws. I only mention MKG as being 'flawless' because he can flawlessly fill what we need, but if a team is looking at him as there #1 star for the future, well than I have plenty of doubts he will ever become that.
 
B

baller13

Guest
#51
I believe Perry jones can play some small forward too. Also did anyone see the tournament game when baylor lost to kentucky? Baylor lost but in the last 10 minutes of the game they started giving the ball to jones who was being guarded by anthony davis. Perry jones abused him on the block and on the wing. Not saying he will be better than davis but the potential is there.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#52
If Drummond had Henson's production in college we would be talking about him now being in contention as the #1 pick. Drummond's ceiling is significantly higher but the only thing standing between Henson being a great defensive pro is that body.
Systems differ in college of course, and people's concerns about Drummond go as much to his body language as his perfromance. However I do find it kind of curious how this:

Henson, as college JUNIOR:
29.1min 13.7pts (.500 .511) 9.9rebs 2.9blks

is such a far cry from this:

Drummond as college FRESHMAN:
28.4min 10.0pts (.538 .295) 7.6reb 2.7blk

Should note as a frosh Henson averaged 5.7pts 4.4rebs 1.6blk shot .486 from the field and .438 from the line.
 

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#54
If Drummond had Henson's production in college we would be talking about him now being in contention as the #1 pick. Drummond's ceiling is significantly higher but the only thing standing between Henson being a great defensive pro is that body. No one is convinced he can put on enough weight to bang with NBA bigs on a nightly basis. Look at those legs, they are like 2 toothpicks :(

I like Henson as a player but I am a skeptic when it comes to him actually developing a body for the NBA. Someone mentioned Ibaka...not even close. Ibaka just about had a perfect body for a PF. The dude is a unit, check out his shoulders and then compare them to Henson's shoulders...chalk and cheese.

Henson is a Kevin Martin of PFs.
Well, this guy was a stick but a pretty good NBA defender and shotblocker.
 

rainmaker

Hall of Famer
#55
If we were to take Henson, just pick Chuck as his vet next year, as every rookie has a vet partner. Hang out with Chuck and he'll beef up in no time. If he can't gain weight while hanging with Chuck, he most likely never will.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
#57
Yeah, Keon was always listed at 220, so that's a good example.

But you could see in that Thunder/Spurs game tonight the huge issue. Even with Ibaka, who is thin by nature but pumped himself up in the last few years and is now ripped, when Perkins went to the bench Ibaka was jsut not strong enough to hold off Duncan, and the Spurs went right at him -- it ws about as obvious a demonstration of the difference between Ibaka (weakside shotblocker) and Perkins (man defender) as you are going to see. And Ibaka is listed at 235. Now make that Henson out there at 215...how on Earth is he going to be able to play man defense on these guys? We may have to play a permanent zone.
 
Last edited:
#58
Yeah, Keon was always listed at 220, so that's a good example.

But you could see in that Thinder/Spurs game tonight the huge issue. Even with Ibaka, who is thin by nature but pumped himself up in the last few years and is now ripped, when Perkins went to the bench Ibaka was jsut not strong enough to hold off Duncan, and the Psurs went right at him -- it ws about as obvious a demonstration of the difference between Ibaka (weakside shotblocker) and Perkins (man defender) as you are going to see. And Ibaka is listed at 235. Now make that Henson out there at 215...how on Earth is he going to be able to play man defense on these guys? We may have to play a permanent zone.
That's what Chuck was signed for. When Cuz isn't in the game, Hayes is. Hopefully they resign JT, then Henson will always have a wide body beside him.
 
#59
Well, this guy was a stick but a pretty good NBA defender and shotblocker.

Well, Keon is just a shade under 7 feet. John Henson was measure at 6'-9 (in shoes) at the Lebron Skill Academy. If Henson turns out to be 7 ft tall then I may change my mind.

.
 
Last edited:
#60
That's what Chuck was signed for. When Cuz isn't in the game, Hayes is. Hopefully they resign JT, then Henson will always have a wide body beside him.
Using a five-player rotation at the 4/5 is not how I envision things. Instead, why not just draft guy who can both defend man to man and block shots?