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Jordan watches second Williams-Henderson workout
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Published: June 23, 2009
CHARLOTTE
Terrence Williams was so nervous at seeing Michael Jordan that he was sweating profusely -- while stretching. Gerald Henderson was drier, but he had to endure relentless grief about being a Duke guy.
As Jordan, the Charlotte Bobcats' managing partner, sat on an exercise bike just off the practice court yesterday, Williams and Henderson did their best to impress him. After all, it could be Jordan who decides between the two shooting guards when the Bobcats pick 12th in Thursday's NBA Draft.
"He was talking all that Carolina mess," Henderson said. "He said he had his old shorts underneath his jeans, and if he took them off I'd be scared to death. He's always talking junk. It's cool, though."
Although it was the second time this month that Henderson and Williams, from Louisville, auditioned for Coach Larry Brown, it was the first time that Jordan attended one of the pre-draft workouts.
The Bobcats are trying to address a lack depth at shooting guard, and both players have the defensive pedigree Brown craves.
"They told me in my interview that Mr. Jordan was coming into town, and they wanted me to come back," Williams said. "It was an honor to be in the same city as Jordan, let alone the same gym."
Jordan, who has the final say on the Bobcats' basketball decisions, knocked down some mid-range jumpers after the workout, then slipped out a side door and didn't address reporters.
It left Brown to offer his critique of Henderson and Williams, athletic, strong defenders who have slightly different games.
Brown sees the 6-4, 215-pound Henderson, who left Duke after averaging 16.5 points as a junior, as strictly a shooting guard.
"I don't think he's even come close to tapping what he's capable of doing," Brown said.
Williams, listed at 6-6 and 220 pounds, could play shooting guard and small forward and bring the ball upcourt to beat the press, according to Brown.
"I think he's a little bigger and stronger (than Henderson) right now," Brown said. "I think they're both going to have long NBA careers."
The Bobcats need help for starting shooting guard Raja Bell, who will turn 33 in September and was plagued with injuries late last season, but they have no clear backup on the roster.
And they might not get to choose between Henderson and Williams. New Jersey, which has the 11th pick, is bringing in both players for workouts today.
"There are sources that say that with the Bobcats, it's between me and Gerald. There are sources that say with New Jersey, it's either me or Gerald," Williams said.
"It's just an honor to be mentioned with those teams at those positions where they're picking, not 20-something or 30-something."
Neither player is a great shooter. Williams has steadily improved his 3-point shot but made 58 percent of his free throws last season. Henderson made just 33 percent of his 3-point shots.
Still, Henderson, who said that his shooting has improved as he has traveled to workouts this month, thinks he could be a good fit in Charlotte.
"I think I can bring a presence and really defend somebody out on the perimeter," Henderson said. "Coach Brown was preaching that all workout, so I think I can bring that to the Bobcats."
Williams believes he'd be a good choice for Jordan, too.
"He didn't know my hands were that big. My hands are the same size as his," Williams said. "I think it was a great showing. It's three days away, so hopefully I'm a Bobcat, to be honest with you."
If Henderson ends up in Charlotte, he knows that he'll face constant ribbing from Jordan, Brown and numerous other North Carolina alums in the organization.
"I can give it back, too," Henderson said.
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