BTBP Roundtable #3: Draft, Playoffs, Free Throws

Jan 4, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center John Henson (31) shoots against New York Knicks center Jason Smith (14) and New York Knicks small forward Cleanthony Early (17) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

John Henson’s free throw shooting makes him a real liability at times, do you think that could be part of the reason he can’t crack more minutes in the rotation?

AMcG: It’s not the only reason, but it’s got to play a factor, particularly with Zaza being so reliable from the stripe. I love so much about Henson’s game, but there’s nothing I hate more than watching players pass up freebies and there’s no Buck more regularly guilty of that than him.

TW: That and the fact that his pouting often leads to technicals and free points for the other team certainly is a large chunk of the reason. Until he cleans up his attitude and conduct on the court and makes free throws like a pro, he won’t see starting minutes, and I can’t fault Jason Kidd for that.

DG: Just to drop a few names: Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan, Steven Adams, Hassan Whiteside, Mason Plumlee, Josh Smith, Elfrid Payton. Per NBA.com, all of those players are shooting free throws at a worse percentage than John Henson (59.2 percent) and they seem to find minutes. I find it hard to believe that Henson is having trouble cracking the rotation solely on the merits of free throws.

JT: That definitely plays a factor into it, but I think his lack of consistency is the biggest thing that has frustrated fans and coaches alike. He puts up good defensive numbers which is his strength, but besides his lefty hook, he’s incredibly limited on offense. It’s starting to feel like his ceiling may just not be that high, as some fans having jokingly referred to him as Dan Gadzuric 2.0 and after a big enough sample size, he may be just that.

AL: What’s costing Henson minutes is his offensive ineptitude when the clock is running. His screens are weak, his go-to move is easier to spot than me at a 2 Chainz concert, and his rebounding is hot and cold.

BA: Maybe. To me though, I don’t think poor free throw shooting is typically a reason to limit a player’s minutes as much as Henson’s have been. I think the primary reason he hasn’t gotten more playing time just has to do with Kidd’s trust; Zaza has it, and Henson doesn’t. I think Zaza runs the offense much better and anchors the defense with a high basketball IQ, something Kidd obviously values.

Next: Front Court Future