Gerald Henderson Strikes Again

January 31, 1980

Chris Ford calls Gerald Henderson "Quick." Rival coaches have had recent cause to call him "Destructive."

The rookie guard from Virginia Commonwealth is making his coach look good. Bill Fitch had crawled several feet out on the shakiest tree limb last June by declaring that the free-agent guard from the Western League was "the equivalent of a first-round draft choice." There were many a November and December night when Henderson made that statement inoperable. But in the past week, Henderson suddenly has become a very valuable Celtic.

He had been on the floor when the team put away the Rockets Jan. 22. He had been instrumental in the victory at Chicago Tuesday. And last night he came up with 14 points on six-for-nine shooting, and he again was a member of the game-deciding Celtic unit in the fourth period. His gorgeous baseline drive really gave the team a big lift (not to mention a 93-86 lead), and Fitch later stated that he liked what Henderson was doing at the other end even better.

The Cavaliers were impressed. "He penetrated well and caused us a lot of problems," said Cleveland coach Stan Albeck. "I think he lends a lot to their bckcourt. He doesn't make many mistakes. I think he's a key player for them.His improvement and growth have really helped their club."

Ford likes talking about Henderson, and to him, a major area of improvement is basic offensive court awareness. "He always had confidence in his game," Ford explained, "but what he's learned is when to accelerate off a pick and when to take it to the hoop. He really knows when to turn it on offensively now, and he can really penetrate."

"He pushes the ball very well to the sides," said Larry Bird. "It's a different motion than Tiny has, and I think the coach uses them real well. That shot Gerald made from the left baseline was a very big play for us."