Gerald Henderson Jr plays for the Philadelphia 76ers. His father, Gerald Henderson Sr, also played for the Sixers. I don't remember a time in Sixers history where both father and son played for them. So, this is pretty cool. I mean, I will do more research to see if this has happened before in Sixers history. If I find out more, I will tell you. I promise.
Welp.
I have a few basketball cards of Gerald Sr. As I was looking at the man's face, it clicked for me that it looked familiar. Indeed, it didn't register that he had a son of the same name playing for the same team. Once it did, the idea for this post immediately popped up.
Gerald Jr is in his first season with the team. We don't know how long he'll play for the team and we won't know his final stats but I still wanted to compare the careers on the team a little bit; mainly looking at Gerald Sr's work.
Gerald Sr played in the NBA from 1979-80 to 1991-92. Gerald Jr was born in 1987, so he showed up during dad's final days. OKAY BUT HOLD ON. Gerald Sr signed with the Sixers December 3rd 1987. His son Gerald was born on the 9th of the same month. OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH! I mean, this is crazy. That's 6 days. Do you see this? Signed with the SIXers, SIX days before his son was born, who would eventually play for the SIXers. Uh…did this post just become evil?
It seems like Gerald Jr was essentially born into the Sixers family. I am reaching and I don't care.
Both father and son wore 12 as the jersey number. This is too cute. I would imagine Gerald Jr did 12 on purpose as he never wore 12 before his time with the Sixers. Indeed, he was giving tribute to his father.
Both of these guys signed with the Sixers (vs being drafted or traded). Huh, these two players have quite a bit in common with their Sixers' careers. Makes me wonder. We haven't even gotten to the stats yet and this is already pretty interesting.
Gerald Sr played over the course of two seasons for the team as point gaurd and played 134 games. He averaged 7.5 points, 2.7 assists, and 0.8 steals per game in 18.1 minutes per game. He shot 42 percent from the floor, while he shot 38 percent from three point range.
So, what about Gerald Jr? Well, he is currently with the team so these stats can easily change but, in 39 games (as of this date of writing, Jan. 25th, 2017 before game vs Bucks), he's averaged 9.5 points, 1.7 assists, and 0.5 steals in 24.4 minutes. He is shooting 45 percent from the floor. He's shooting 40 percent from three point range.
Interesting. Both of these players put up similar numbers in similar playing time. Gerald Jr seems to be a better shooter but he's a shooting gaurd and dad was a point gaurd. Different eras and expectations and responsibilities. All of that needs to be taken into account but this is really something.
Since they play PG and SG, you like to think of what they would be like as a backcourt duo. Somebody would have to choose a different jersey number but whatever. Looking at the stats, this wouldn't be a championship caliber backcourt but perhaps the frontcourt is stacked.
Then again, Gerald Sr is a three time NBA champion. So…uh…yeah. Gerald Jr has none.
I have to say, this changes how I look at Gerald Jr as he plays. He ain't a favorite player, but this story is growing on me. I will most certainly be looking for other scenarios like this, not just for Sixers but NBA in general.
