John Henson has weathered the changes with the Milwaukee Bucks

It was more than an hour after practice and John Henson had just emerged from the cryotherapy chamber, where for three full minutes he subjected most of his body to 100 degrees below zero. This is part of his routine now, passing frigid minutes by watching a show on his phone or closing his eyes or sometimes just letting out a howl.

But he does this, like he does so many other things before and after practice, because he appreciates the ongoing evolution of the Milwaukee Bucks organization, which now includes advanced technology and support such as cryotherapy in the new Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Science Center.

“I’ve been here long enough to see the changes — the drastic changes. It’s like night and day,” said Henson. “We went from after practice, going home … to cryo machines. And chefs. And kitchens.”

Although he’s only 26 years old, Henson is the longest-tenured player on the Bucks. He has been here longer than  superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and coach Jason Kidd. A couple other players have more years in the NBA, but no one matches Henson in the number of Cousins Center practices or freezing runs into the cold Wisconsin winter for a meal after practice.

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“I just feel old,” said Henson. “I was here when (coach Scott) Skiles was here. That seems like so long ago for Bucks fans. Which it was — six years is a long time.”

Selected by the Bucks with the 14th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Henson came from North Carolina and averaged 6 points and 13 minutes a game for Skiles.

That team was ancient by today’s standards with 33-year-old Joel Przybilla and all but him and Henson born in the 1980s.

It was an underwhelming season. After Skiles was fired in January and replaced by Jim Boylan, the Bucks backpedaled into the playoffs with a 38-44 record. Despite Brandon Jennings' confident predictions, the Bucks were swept by the Miami Heat in the first round.

But it was an influential year for Henson.

“I learned so much with those guys, those older guys,” said Henson. “How to carry yourself, how to act. What to do, what to say, what not to say. How to play.

“They don’t know that, but I was watching them. Observing them. They taught me a lot, how to handle myself.”

Those beneficial observations continued for a few years (through another head coach, Larry Drew) to the point where Henson noticed someone like Zaza Pachulia staying after practice, shooting, every day.

“He was about 30, an older guy. He was banged up. He always stayed after and shot,” said Henson. “No matter what, he always got some extra work in. From afar, I watched that and I said, ‘OK, I’m 23, 24, I can do that too.’

“And that’s stuck with me. No matter how tired you are, no matter how your body feels, always try to stay after, even if it’s to shoot free throws, work on your craft.”

Now Henson, born Dec. 28, 1990, is on his fourth head coach with Kidd and has 11 teammates younger than him. But he’s not the Jason Terry kind of leader on the team. He’s still too young.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a mentor. I instill advice where it’s needed, and I try to put things in perspective,” said Henson.

“I try to portray that to young guys, listen, don’t play around in certain situations. It’s just a good thing to come in and show them you care. Film. Stuff like that. It’s part of your job.”

The starting center has also evolved himself and in what he sees as his role on the team. He’s still around that 6.3 points per game average but he’s had some standout games, including double-digit scoring games at Atlanta, San Antonio and then a season-best 17 points Monday at home in the win against Memphis.

“Seminar. He gave the bigs a seminar — that’s how you guys say it?” Antetokounmpo said. “Great job, flashing the high post, making the big passes, looking for his own shot. I think he did a great job. If he keeps doing that he creates more space for everybody.”

Henson has not been the star of the team but he's been indispensable so far this season.

Thon Maker has been struggling and Greg Monroe was ailing and then he was traded, so Henson has had to keep things together inside and he's done so with widespread admiration. When he's on the court the Bucks are definitely better.

“My role now is to be the defense maker, to communicate, help these other guys out as far as offensively, being in the right spots. That’s kind of my role now,” said Henson.

“When I first got here, I was a power forward, I would shoot a little bit, I was running iso(lation) plays. It’s changed, but I think it’s changed for the better.

"Right now I’m at the point in my career where, I’ve gotten enough money, I’ve gotten paid now, so it’s about winning. That’s a big thing for me. I just want to win. Whatever it takes.”