There aren’t generally many surprises throughout an NBA season.
We know who the best players are.
The best teams, in due time, surface to the top.
But occasionally, maybe once a year, a player comes from out of nowhere and puts together a breakout year. It’s impossible to predict at this point, but after the preseason opened this weekend, Xavier Henry of the Los Angeles Lakers has at least put his name on the ballot.
Another day, another game, another opportunity. I’m gonna try my best to capture the moment. #EnjoyTheJourney #LakersNation #LakersRunLA
— Xavier Henry (@xhenry7) October 6, 2013
In three NBA seasons Henry has largely disappointed after being selected 12th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2010. His career average is just 4.5 points in 14 minutes per game. Henry hasn’t come very far since his lone college season when he averaged 13.5 points and 4.4 rebounds with the Kansas Jayhawks.
But things can change, and although he has played only one preseason game with the Los Angeles Lakers, 29 points and seven rebounds will, at the very least, put you on the radar. Especially when your career high is 15 points.
The Lakers have a serious void to fill at the guard position, especially without Kobe Bryant. It’s not as if Jodi Meeks has the starting shooting guard spot locked up. So there is room for Henry to start earning some more minutes and hopefully touches.
“When you move around, you never get your feet under you,” Henry said after Saturday’s 104-95 win over the Golden State Warriors. “When you have an equal opportunity like this, I’m just trying to show what I can do.”
He was a top 10 high school recruit, so it’s not as if he’s bereft of talent. It may just be a matter of finding the right situation, as so many young players struggle to do in the NBA.
Will that be with the Los Angeles Lakers?
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Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.