Attention Whore Status? (Henry Brothers)
June 30th, 2009 at 2:47 pmBy Chris
An interview in the Kansas City Star with Carl Henry, one that was semi-refuted, has caused some eyes to open about whether or not the Henry boys, Xavier and C.J., will be suiting up for Bill Self this fall. While the primary reason this is even a topic has to do with the NBA’s “one year out of high school” rule, the story received its legs when the elder Henry dropped a number of bombs in the interview in question. The KC Star article was controversial enough, Daddy Henry felt it necessary to clear the air. Twice.
The details of the initial interview are everywhere if you feel like catching up.
The gist of it was, Daddy Henry thinks his sons are better than Bill Self’s current stable of players and should be rewarded with the appropriate playing time, among other gems. Earlier today, however, the story got even more interesting when, during an interview with KC’s 610 Sports, it was revealed that the Henry brothers, especially Xavier, might not even be attending KU.
In case you aren’t sure why the recently-graduated Xavier Henry is worth this much trouble, check out what Scout has to say:
This is an elite player who slashes and shoots it deep with equal efficiency. Has a great attitude and way about him. Continues to get bigger, better and stronger each season. Tough kid with a chance to earn a serious living playing this game.
Exactly the type of basketball player coaches trip over themselves for. This would also explain why Bill Self is flying to Oklahoma City, in an attempt to convince Xavier to stay with the Kansas Jayhawks. Apparently, Carl Henry revealed during the interview that Kentucky is still in the mix for his sons’ services, something the Big Blue Nation reacted to quite quickly.
Now, the reason I use the phrase “attention whore” in my title is because if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, chances are it’s probably a duck. Same goes with attention-whoring. When parents of athletes are saying things like this to the press:
“Look, I’ve seen Collins and I’ve seen Taylor. I’m their father, I’ve coached them, and I played the game. To me, in my opinion, CJ is just as good or better than [Sherron] Collins.”
Even if you follow it up with, “I told Self to not give my boys nothing and that they will have to work for it,” the attention whore gauntlet has been thrown down. He says he wants them to earn their playing time, but his initial statement reveals what he really thinks: his boys should be playing over Self’s incumbents, experience be damned. The reason why the elder Henry is so concerned about his boys’ playing time? Exposure. He wants those who draft for the NBA to see what his sons can do, even if it comes at the expense of KU’s team chemistry, apparently.
If that’s not the case, why on earth would these things be mentioned?
“I just wanted to get the details of all of it [playing in Europe], but after seeing it all, playing at KU was better. His mother and I could see him play, so could people around the country, and the marketing here is just better for him.”
No mention of winning another championship for KU, or the benefits of playing for a coach like Bill Self. Instead, the elder Henry is more worried about the amount of exposure Xavier will receive. Here’s an idea: Instead of worrying about who is and who isn’t going to see your son play — and worse yet, talking about it to the freaking press — why not let Xavier’s talent do the talking for him, without throwing potential future teammates under the proverbial bus?
Do you really think the NBA will miss out on how good he is? If so, please show me all of that Ricky Rubio footage everybody used to base their opinions on? Wait, what? Pretty much no one besides NBA scouts, those who got up to watch basketball during the Olympics and European basketball fans got see Rubio play? Then how in the hell was he drafted in the lottery?
And that, friends, is a point Carl Henry apparently failed to process.
Oh, and I found that picture of Xavier on ImageShack. Take a good look at the related pictures and you’ll see one that probably doesn’t belong (NSFW)… Unless you equate Xavier Henry to oral sex.
June 30th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Haha!! KU fans are PISSED OFF! I think Meeks’ decision to stay in the draft has a lot to do with this whole fiasco, obvi. Bring on Xavier baby!! Should he come, this has to be the best recruiting class EVER, if it isn’t already