« Me you, me you. » This is the code name for the two-player game between Scoot Henderson and Deandre Ayton. In the final seconds of the game against Jazz, the Blazers playmaker heard his pivot calling for him.
Lauri Markkanen had just planted a big 3-point shot to equalize (120-120). Anfernee Simons (8 points at 3/12 on shots) on the bench during money time, Scoot Henderson brought the ball up with the intention of making the difference. “ I was going to end up taking the last shot anyway. I had the ball in my hands », Says the 20-year-old player, ensuring that he made this decision himself.
After taking advantage of his pivot's screen, Scoot Henderson initially thought of going to the circle. But Walker Kessler blocked his access.
So the playmaker stopped, pivoted and sent a very complicated “fadeaway”, because it was contested by Isaiah Collier. “ I just took a little break and then I faded. We dream of this kind of action. »
« I appreciated his confidence. I enjoyed this shot. I decided not to call a time-out and let the game continue with the crowd behind us. “, explains Nate Bjorkgren, who served as “head coach” in place of Chauncey Billups, who was absent due to his grandmother’s funeral.
The trust still there
With his 27 points coming off the bench, Deni Avdija would have made a good candidate to take this last shot. He was content to stay on the outskirts on this last action, after having claimed the ball. “ Scoot has a lot of confidence in himself and that he knows where he wants to go on the pitch. I am very happy for him because he works tirelessly. When I see him hit that big shot with confidence, that's what a player needs », he judges.
It must be said that this decisive gesture comes at the end of a dark streak in the playmaker's young career. In his six previous matches, he averaged just under 9 points with less than 30% shooting…
Much more inspired last night, he signed his first double-double of the year with 18 points (6/12 on shots) and 10 assists, with only one lost ball. “ It was the best possible situation for me. It was nice, nice to play this match overall. I don't think I felt any different. I was simply put in a position to play the game “, he summarizes.
While downplaying the idea of needing a big match to regain confidence. “ I don't need anything. I need my family, my support and God. Everything else will be ups and downs anyway. So I don't think I need a match like this. »
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
