If you remember my NBA Draft preview, I had touted Alabama’s Richard Hendrix as the steal of the draft. He put up great numbers for the Tide, had a track record of improvement in college and almost perfectly fit the profile of players like Carlos Boozer, David West and Paul Millsap (power forwards who put up dominant numbers in college but slipped in the draft because of worries about their size).
My reason for liking his game is here, but to sum it all up: I can’t see anything not to like about Hendrix, and I think the people who get all wound up about him being one inch too short are idiots.
Hendrix was sent to the D-League by Golden State, where in 8 games he pretty much treated the league in the same manner that Ramon Sessions did: he stuffed the box scores nightly.
And now, in order to make room for Monta Ellis, the Warriors let Hendrix go.
Big mistake.
In the D-League, Hendrix averaged 13.9 points on about 55% shooting and10.9 rebounds. He had an IPM in the 0.950 range and also averaged about 1.5 blocks and steals per game. He spent a couple of games in foul trouble and had a few 4+ turnover games but I don’t care about that — in a glorified exhibition game like the D-League, I’d rather a player be aggressive and throw his body around all night.
I’m not saying that Hendrix could step in at power forward for the Bucks and dominate. But I think he could be a solid 15-20 minute guy right now, providing a little high-percentage scoring and some shot blocking and — that one skill that you can’t teach — rebounding. He’d be the type of guy who you would say “he gave the bench a boost” just about every night. And next year, yes, he just might be the starting power forward.
To sign him the Bucks would have to cut Austin Croshere, and I can’t find any details on if his contract is guaranteed or not. But it’s a no-brainer move: the Bucks aren’t contending for a championship, so pick someone up now who might really help you in a year or two!
At the very least he’d do wonders for the Mad Ants right about now.
Sign Richard Hendrix today!
4 responses so far ↓
1 Sylvan Zarwell // Dec 19, 2008 at 10:52 pm
So how do we get Hammond’s attention?
2 Brian // Dec 26, 2008 at 12:36 am
However many of us are still considered such…..
Hendrix for the roster spot that is now Elson or Croshere? Stop teasing us with these kind of things…
On Mbah-a-Moute, I’m glad I’m not a scout (as of yet..) A taller Moncrief with good knees? Great Pick!!
And finally, it looks like an actual team on the floor again, I might even renew my tickets…
Go Bucks Go….
3 Lucas Uriniuk // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:15 am
Yes… someone get the attention of the Buck’s Hammond to give Hendrix a roster spot before some other team does.
4 Lucas Uriniuk // Jan 8, 2009 at 10:24 am
He appears to be on the Memphis D – League team Dakota Wizards… I don’t know, but can the Bucks still sign him to their NBA team even if he is on another team’s D – League team?
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