Memphis Grizzlies' Xavier Henry earns rare praise
He has a long way to go in order to directly account for ticket sales and have a segment of a fan base believe he could be mayor of Memphis.
Yet at 19 years old, rookie guard Xavier Henry is already receiving arguably the highest praise bestowed a player wearing the Grizzlies uniform.
Griz coach Lionel Hollins unleashed the adoration just the other night. Henry had just spent two hours mightily helping the Griz hold Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant to 9-for-25 shooting Tuesday night.
But it wasn't just that game that moved Hollins to remember his thoughts after a pre-draft meeting with Henry. The 6-6 guard, now in the starting lineup, is making an impact that belies his NBA experience.
"I went away saying 'that's Shane Battier all over again,'" Hollins said. "He is just poised and mature beyond his years. He understands the big picture of what's going on. That's what you like to see in all your players - come in the league mature."
There have been more talented players to wear the Griz uniform, but Battier remains the most revered. Battier returns to FedExForum tonight with the Houston Rockets as the only former Griz to have a poster night while playing for another team.
As a member of the inaugural Memphis Grizzlies, Battier was a man about town, a coach's dream and a player who maximized his potential on and off the court. Henry was just 10 years old when Battier entered the league, and he'll finally come face to face with the standard.
"I just have to make sure that I'm making the right decisions and taking the opportunities that I have," Henry said. "I don't want to force anything. I think I'm getting more comfortable with just playing. I'm trying to make a good impression and do it in more games. If I can do that, coach will be more confident with me on the floor."
Henry seems Battier-esque on the floor because of his high basketball intelligence, attention to detail and unparalleled work ethic. Off the floor, Henry is just as conscientious and accommodating.
Henry is the most active member of the Grizzlies' Read to Achieve All-Star team. He also leads all Grizzlies in player community appearances.
"The kid has a smile that lights up a room and he's so genuine. That's one of the similarities between him and Shane," said Teresa Dickerson, Griz director of community investment. "I never tell him what to do. He just knows. He's really young, but he gets it. He's always prepared and professional off the court."
Henry is averaging eight points on 46-percent shooting in his last three games. The Grizzlies are 4-2 with Henry in the starting lineup. He's made his first career start Nov. 20 in a win over Miami. However, the NBA's 12th overall draft pick's performance review isn't limited to statistics.
Teammates talk about intangibles when they are asked about Henry.
"We're going to need the rook," forward Zach Randolph said. "He's a big body and I told him the NBA is about working and getting chances and getting better. He's doing the extra stuff to get better. He's real mature. He takes things as they come. He's always in the right spots. He spaces the court real well and he plays good defense."
Sound familiar?
Along with those corner 3-pointers, Battier hung his hat on defense while in a Griz uniform. He remains the franchise's all-time steals leader with 507. Slowing the opponent's most explosive scorer is what Henry is being asked to do.
Overall, temperament is what comes to mind the most when comparing Henry to Battier. Forgotten is the fact that Henry missed the entire summer experience with the Griz over a contract dispute.
Henry seems to have more than made up for lost time.
"There's more to come from him," Griz forward Rudy Gay said. "I told him earlier that I don't know if I could do that - come in two days before training camp and try to jell with a team. For the most part, he's done that. He's going to be a great player in the next few years."
