Tyrus Thomas and Gerald Henderson are the Future of the Bobcats

As good as the Charlotte Bobcats have been for the past two seasons, they have proved the age-old fact that a team can only go so far without star players. In the past, they have tried to hand the reigns over to such players as Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin, but they have faltered for one reason or another. The Bobcats do intend on finding a player, or players to build around.

Coming into the 2009 NBA Draft, the Bobcats wanted to draft a future star. Their preference was the 6'6 guard Terrence Williams. He was exactly what they needed, plus he had striking similarities to the team's current owner, Michael Jordan. While Williams was their favorite, Gerald Henderson was their backup. Before they settled on Williams, the Bobcats had interest in Henderson, as he had led Duke throughout the 2008-2009 season. He made himself into a college star and many predicted that he could become a consistent scorer for the Bobcats in the following season.

After the New Jersey Nets drafted Terrence Williams, it became clear that the Bobcats were going to draft the Duke guard, Gerald Henderson with their pick. Henderson would end up being the pick and the Bobcats began marketing him as a star. But, when the regular season began, Henderson did not receive much playing time. It would not be until their record victory over the Toronto Raptors that Henderson showed the team what he could be if he were given more playing time. Larry Brown, the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, said that Gerald Henderson would slowly become a bigger part of the offense until he becomes the focal point of the offense.

Despite promises of Gerald Henderson being the future of the Charlotte Bobcats, he was on the trading block right before the trade deadline. He was not traded, but there were rumors that he may be traded during the offseason. But, the idea of him being dealt does not mean that he will surely be dealt. It was a strong possibility that he would be an Indiana Pacer by now and he is not. The trade deadline did not see Henderson leave the Bobcats, but it saw them give a chance to troubled Chicago Bulls forward, Tyrus Thomas. He has shown a little of what he could be, too. While the Bobcats enjoy the strong play of Stephen Jackson, he is not the type of player that a franchise can be built around.

But, they could possibly have a strong inside-out duo with Gerald Henderson and Tyrus Thomas if they are given a chance. It is looking like the Bobcats will make the playoffs this season, so they will have a chance to gel together. If things go according and the Bobcats have to call on these two players, they are likely to build around them for future seasons. Some people have predicted that Henderson will end up being a very solid player, along the lines of Vince Carter. If that is indeed the case, the Bobcats will need to hold on to him and Thomas had big expectations when he first arrived in the league. But, all of the negative press ruined him in Chicago. Now, with a new team and possible chemistry with Gerald Henderson, he could go on to be one half of a powerful duo in Charlotte.