In a recent game against the Houston Rockets, upcoming NBA point guard Henderson showcased his shooting skills from beyond the arc, nailing seven long jump shots in the first three quarters. However, his performance in the paint left much to be desired, as he struggled to convert close-range shots. Henderson went 1 of 7 in the paint during that stretch, demonstrating the need to refine his finishing abilities.

One noticeable flaw in Henderson's finishing technique is his tendency to broad jump instead of exploding upward at the rim. This results in him taking off too early, leading to numerous failed attempts known as "blown-tire" finishes. He often finds himself finishing well below the rim, forced to contend with taller defenders.

Despite this, Henderson has shown promise in executing reverse layups when driving right. This seems to be his strongest technical skill in the paint, although he still struggles with maintaining proper balance and explosiveness when going up for the finish.

NBA veteran Chauncey Billups, noting Henderson's potential to penetrate into the paint, emphasized the importance of honing his finishing craft during the upcoming summer. Billups highlighted the need for repetition and mastering various finishing techniques, including layups, high layups, floaters, and spin moves off the glass, all of which can be vital in different game situations.

Another aspect of improvement for Henderson lies in selecting the appropriate move during drives. For instance, in a game against the Golden State Warriors, he displayed a lightning-fast crossover that left his defender behind, but instead of capitalizing on his speed advantage, Henderson opted for a Euro step move and failed to elevate at the end, resulting in an easy block. Similarly, he missed an opportunity to fake out his defender and execute an easier shot by employing pivots and shot fakes.

Recognizing that his finishing skills are a work in progress, Henderson has set his sights on the offseason to address these areas. The young point guard expressed openness to participating in the Las Vegas Summer League and affirmed his commitment to continuing his development during the offseason. Henderson seeks to refine his handles, finishing abilities, explosiveness, shooting, and overall game awareness. He plans to study game film to better understand how to attack different defensive situations within his team's system.

As Henderson looks ahead to the next season, he may find himself on a revamped Blazers team, with injured players like Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant returning and the addition of another high lottery pick. The improvement of his paint finishing skills will be crucial to his success as opponents have adjusted their defensive strategies, no longer aggressively going under screens.

Indeed, the development of Henderson's finishing abilities in the paint will be key to his continued growth as a player. With a strong work ethic and dedication to his craft, the young point guard aims to make significant strides and contribute more effectively to his team's success on the court.