Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups knows what amount of pressure comes with a third-overall pick being one himself.
This is the reason why he is making it personal as the mentor of 2023 overall third pick Scoot Henderson.
"It's personal for me," Billups told The Athletic.
"'Coz I just remember myself being that dude, third pick in the draft. The expectations. I want to give Scoot what I needed at the time. I can do that. I've done everything he wants to do in this league."
What makes Scoot different from him?
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Billups said he struggled during his early years in the league but he sees that it will be different for his rookie who he believes is more athletic than him.
This is the same reason why Henderson will become an NBA star. However, Billups said the player must not skip steps and he will make sure of that.
"I won't let him skip any steps," Billups said. "I'm going to be on him, coach him."
Henderson is ready for heavy responsibilities
Henderson himself knows he is no ordinary player on the Blazers roster and with never-ending rumors surrounding team superstar Damian Lillard, he is ready to take the mantle.
He believes that he and Dame have the same mindset for the game but he is ready in case the 7-time All-Star leaves.
"If he leaves, I'm going to just embrace that," he said during a sit down with The Ringer.
"I'm going to embrace being the point guard for the team. And that comes with practice. I don't have my spot guaranteed; I know that. My goal is to get better every day at practice and get better game by game."
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