The game between the Nets and the Trail Blazers was quite exciting, despite both teams being considered underperformers. The match featured many young players who played with great energy, making it very interesting to watch. Prior to this game, the Nets had suffered five consecutive losses. Russell, a guard who was traded from the Lakers to the Nets half a month ago, had been out due to an injury sustained during a game against the 76ers. He made his return today, but the Nets did not start him; instead, they had him lead the bench squad while Ben Simmons continued as the starting point guard.
The biggest star of today's game was undoubtedly Henderson, the Blazers' guard. Henderson has been in poor form this year, averaging only 10.9 points per game. Many believe that if he continues like this, he will likely end up signing for the minimum wage after his rookie contract ends, unable to secure a substantial renewal deal. However, Henderson unexpectedly exploded today, without any warning. He shot 13 for 18 from the field, including 8 for 10 from three-point range and 5 for 8 from the free-throw line, scoring a career-high 39 points along with 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals, delivering a terrifying performance.
Henderson's three-point shooting was particularly impressive, with an 80% accuracy rate. He scored 25 points in the first half alone, with an astonishingly high shooting percentage of 9 for 10. Despite Simmons being known for his top-tier skills except for shooting, and also for his strong defense, he could not contain Henderson today and was instead dominated by him. Simmons finished the game with 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists, still showcasing his organizational and rebounding abilities. However, it cannot be denied that Henderson outperformed him in their individual matchup. Similarly, Russell, coming off the bench, struggled against Henderson, shooting 3 for 11 and scoring 13 points with 9 assists and 4 steals. While his other aspects were commendable, defense has never been his forte, leaving him helpless against the scorching hot Henderson.
Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 draft, was extremely arrogant during the draft. In the summer league, he attempted to dunk over WenbanYama and boasted afterward, "I'm not worried about WenbanYama; I'll be the Rookie of the Year." However, reality proved otherwise. WenbanYama averaged 21.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks in his rookie season, uncontroversially winning the Rookie of the Year award. In contrast, Henderson averaged just 14 points and 5.4 assists with a sub-40% shooting percentage.
Not only did Henderson refuse to acknowledge WenbanYama, but he also looked down upon Aminu Thompson, who was selected by the Rockets after him. Many criticized his playing style in the Ignite team for being too individualistic and lacking in defense with poor defensive habits. Journalists cited examples, stating that Aminu Thompson, selected after him, represented a team player with top-tier defense. This angered Henderson, who declared that these journalists didn't understand basketball and confidently stated, "I'll destroy him (Aminu Thompson); he can't keep up with my speed!" However, the development of the two now stands in stark contrast. Aminu Thompson is likely to make the All-Defensive Team this season, while Henderson, aside from today's exceptional performance, has largely faded from the spotlight.
