Scoot Henderson: 'I think we’ll pan out to be one of the top teams in the league pretty soon'
Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson discussed what to expect from Portland’s young squad in the future, learning from Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups as his coach, replacing Damian Lillard, growing as a locker room leader while also having a signature PUMA sneaker at 20 years old, what to expect from his new Scoot Zeros II sneakers in collaboration with NBA 2K, and more with HoopsHype.
How would you describe this Blazers team?
Scoot Henderson: I think we’ll pan out to be one of the top teams in the league pretty soon with the young core that we have and the dogs on our team. You’ve got Donovan Clingan, who’s shown little glimpses of what he can do, and Shaedon (Sharpe). I try to get those guys the ball, and I try to do my thing. My main thing is getting guys the ball, letting them rock out, and letting the world see their talent. I’m trying to be a leader on and off the floor and get to know the guys a little bit more. I think we’re a core that plays hard and is going to shock a lot of teams throughout the season.
Not that you’re in your second season, what are the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in your NBA journey so far?
SH: I think some of the valuable lessons are to not look at how somebody else is playing. Don’t wish you had this or that. I knew that a long time ago, but I’d say that’s pretty valuable for any of the young players coming up. Control what you can control. That’s how you work, play, and prepare yourself mentally and physically. Take care of your body and mental health.
What’s it been like behind the scenes playing for a Hall of Fame point guard, Chauncey Billups, as your coach?
SH: First, congrats to him on becoming a Hall of Famer. Everybody knew that was going to happen. It’s fire for him to be my coach as a Hall of Famer at the same time, which is kind of crazy. I think I’ve learned so much from Chauncey, like all of the little things in the game. He’s told me how I could work out, and Pooh Jeter has. Chauncey makes sure I’m calling out the plays and attacking in drills while getting into plays that guys like on offense and being vocal. Chauncey was vocal and the leader of his group when he played. Little things in his game he’s trying to instill in me.
How do you try to lead as a point guard while only 20 years old in the NBA?
SH: I think it’s showing them you’re capable of doing it, taking accountability for yourself, and telling the other guys where you’re going to get them the rock. It’s about trying to lead the guys to good things in what they’re doing and when they’re messing up as well. I think men respect you so much more than you capping to them and lying about something. In the locker room, they show me a good amount of respect. I think our young group is so together right now. We all have the same respect for each other.
What’s it been like for you as one of the young cornerstones of the franchise, especially as the point guard following Dame Lillard’s departure?
SH: I think it’s been really good for me to grow. I’m not trying to take over what Dame had. I want to do me, Scoot Henderson. I want to win some games and give the city a reason to come to the games. With the young core we have, I want to make it exciting for fans around the world to see that the Trail Blazers are on the come up, especially with our young core and the veterans on our team who are buckets. I think it’s been a good learning experience these two years being here. I think I can go nowhere but up. I’m ready.
What are the next steps in your development as a player?
SH: I think my next steps are controlling the pace of the game and locking in when it’s time for us to slow down and run our plays fully through to get time off the clock or getting stops on the defensive end and knowing when it’s time to get a bucket and play fast.
Have you kept tabs on Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller after you all were drafted in the first three picks in your class?
SH: Not at all, honestly. I keep tabs around the league. If one of them pops, then I’ll see it, or when we play them. I want to be one of the best in the league. I don’t want to be one of the best young guys. That’s my goal.
What does it mean to have your own signature PUMA shoe at 20 years old?
SH: It’s a blessing knowing that I’m one of the youngest players to have a signature sneaker in the league. Going back to me being blessed, I know that PUMA took a chance on me to be that. I can’t do anything but try to repay them in ways that show respect. I don’t take it for granted.
How involved were you in creating the Scoot Zero II sneaker design?
SH: I was heavily involved with it. Me, my sister, and the PUMA team worked pretty much together throughout the whole process. I gave my insight on how I wanted it to look. They went back and did a great job of making my dreams come true.
How did the colorway selection and features on the sneakers come about?
SH: For the most part, there will be a lot of colors, but some will be plain or regular for anybody to wear. The colors were my imagination, and the PUMA team came back with what it would look like, and I told them I liked this or that. It was a lot of trial and error with the colors and certain grades of the colors.
What have your interactions with PUMA throughout the year on your sneakers as an athlete been?
SH: I’d say pretty often. Since I’m so involved in the making of my shoes, I was pretty involved throughout the season. We would have a meeting, and it would be twice during the season. Whenever I would think of something, I’d hit the group chat and say I’ve seen this today, and I think this would be a good idea, or I’ve seen these colorways next to each other, and it looks fire. I’d share thoughts from my head, and they do a great job of making them come alive.
Is there anything else you’re working on with PUMA that fans should know about?
SH: Right now, I want all eyes on the Scoot Zero II. In the future, it’ll present itself. I want to see the feedback from the fans. I wore my Scoot Zero II on Media Day, and I’ve been wearing them throughout the season.
You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Scoot Henderson: 'I think we’ll pan out to be one of the top teams in the league pretty soon'
