Jordan Henriquez-Roberts

Jordan Henriquez

Henriquez intrigues simply because of his height, fluid athleticism, and excellet shot blocking instincts. However, everything else has always needed significant improvement, and it hasn't happened. Henriquez is something of an offensive liability, with terrible free throw shooting, no handle, scant little post-up game, and a jumpshot which he keeps trying to use but which isn't very effective. He rebounds through size alone, and, for all the impressive shot blocking numbers, he is easily moved off the spot and fouls too much. Henriquez has a couple of innate skills that cannot be taught. But the ones that can, he hasn't learnt.

It also didn't help that Jamar Samuels has also struggled this season. With all the aforementioned losses, Samuels was expected to take a bigger offensive role, but last year's hugely effective sixth man has struggled to make any kind of shot this year. Samuels plays very hard on both offense and defense, and it's this combination of athleticism and aggression that gets him to the basket, lets him be a disruptive presence on defense, and which brings in the rebounds. Yet he's fouling just as much as ever (3.3 fouls in 24mpg), and shooting only 41% from the field, down from 52% last year. Having to create every shot for himself now is proving a problem for Samuels, who is a finisher, not a creator. All this frontcourt turmoil conspired to create a bigger role for 7'0 freshman Jordan Henriquez-Roberts, who has had some good moments. JHR is not an offensive player, save for some left-handed finishes around the rim and better-than-expected interior passing. But his size, length and good mobility for his size make him a presence defensively, as well as a fairly prolific rebounder. He is easily outmuscled and commits a lot of fouls as a result, but at least he makes fewer mistakes now.