Xavier Henry
He had a quick start no doubt, but as of late he has become content popping 3's rather than drive to the bucket or pull up for mid range shots, or even use his size to post up smaller players. In this kind of slump offensively(though he is still shooting a solid 40% from 3 and 44% from 2), I will say he has been crashing the boards more and filling the passing lanes nicely. He had 7 steals against Baylor and has improved his defense considerably since the beginning of the year. I'm sure he'll find his stroke again, but in my opinion, I think he needs to solidify and prove to scouts and GM's that he is more than just a long range gunner with a big body on offense to be taken in the top 10. If he does so and Kansas has a deep run in the tourney I think you can count on him in the top 10, but if his slump continues throughout the season I think he could drop to late lottery to 18-20th pick. thats just my 2 cents, i've seen him play a lot this season.
I think it is all where he is drafted, If he gets taken at 17 and averages 14 points on his career I wouldn't consider him a bust, but if he is taken at 7 or 8 then maybe. Depending on how he improves through conference play and post season tournaments I think he could benefit from another year in college, however, I don't think he will.
He has all the potential in the world, but I think best case scenario he is a Jimmy Jackson type player ( props to nbadraft.net for that comparison ) and worst case he is a beefy Brandon Rush, a good defender who just jacks 3's and doesn't really take it to the glass hard or create that many shots for teammates.
I think if he works hard he can be a more consistent version of Jamal Crawford. He has great size for a SG. I think he has hit a wall as a freshman who is playing Big 12 ball. I think if he gets back to beginning season form then he will be a lottery pick. I think he can be a solid #2 option and a very good #3 option on the right NBA team. I also think he would make a nice 6th man early in his career if paired with a top flight SG. He is going to need a good PG in order to succeed to his full potential.
Yeah. Jim Jackson was awesome. I agree that Xavier reminds me of him. Not athletic on D, but tough nosed enough to frustrate good scorers.
If Xavier can be an effective spot up guy who plays good defense, he'll be quite the asset on a championship caliber team. I Honestly want to see Henry as more of a second option-third option than a star, just because of the skill set he's shown.
No team NEEDS four guys to create off the dribble, but EVERY team NEEDS to have a few guys like Henry who spots up and plays D.
James Posey 2.0 anyone?
BTW, Worst Case, I think is Morris Peterson during his 20s (10-13 points a game, being the secondary scorer; spots up mostly and can create off the bounce a little while playing frustrating D)
ive watched him a lot and i love his game. he should be going to the basket more bc he's so strong and can absorb contact. my comparisons to him would be....
best case IMO: Retired Players: Allan Houston, Jimmy Jackson....
Current Players: a bigger Rudy Fernandez, Brandon Rush and Galinari- all good shooters, good intangibles, can beat you off the dribble and have the ability to be good defenders
I wouldnt worry about him. He's clearly suffering from the longer college season, though as joewolf said, he's improving his impact in other areas. He's still growing as a basketball player, but he no worse an athlete than Tyreke Evans was a PG prospect. He improves his conditioning he's definitely an impact SG-SF combo. He's not as dynamic as PP was at Kansas, be he definitely profiles as a Pierce light in the league. He has the skills and instincts. He needs to polish his ball handling considerably, but that and conditioning are the only thing holding this guy back.
I haven't seen much of him this year, but from what i have seen he has looked extremely overrated. Besides his size and his three point shot, what does he offer?