It doesn't look as if Luther trys to play D. I know we let Rafer have it for his defense, however, Luther's is worse because he's playing mostly against bench players. Other teams immediately go to the post up on Luther and he escorts them right to the bucket or doesn't get a hand up (we learn that in middle school). Let's not imagine if Rafer get's hurt and Luther has to play D on Nash, Jet, Parker, Deron Williams (utah), and or Smushy Parker who I think would kill luther. Check his foul stats of 1.6 per game, which tells me he can play harder on the defensive end and give a couple of whacks. Of the players in the regular rotation, only Snyder averages less and that's because he's missed 2 months of games. Please consult Shane the Defensive Machine who has taught Chuck and Juwan how to play better D. I love the quick hand in the face by Shane, which throws off shooters. I use his technique playing pickup ball and I never seen a guy hit a jumper yet when you do that. They think you're going to hit them in the eyes but it never happens.
Not to derail the thread or anything, but Chuck knew how to play defense before he got to the Rockets... though he has started doing that hand in the face thing that Shane does which pleases me to know end! I voted avg, because I think he does a pretty decent job, but he has room to improve. Though I think I could say that for just about every player on the team.
I don't know if averaging more fouls says your a better defender, especially if your a guard, it could mean that your man is blowing by you alot and your trying to compensate by reaching in from behind. I could see it in the frontcourt players especially against other premier frontcourt players, you gotta use up your fouls to make sure they don't get the easy layup or dunk. Also, JVG hates sending opposing teams to the line, I doubt he sees fouls as a good measure of defense also. Head, he'll never be an outstanding defender but he does play the 4th quarter alot which I guess means JVG trusts him enough not to get burnt that goes along with his clutch 3pt shooting.
I dunno guys/gals. Luther plays D. He's in the guys face. The knock against him, is he's short...he can't help that. He's always guarding someone taller than him, usually by a more than a few inches. But I believe he holds his own. He does have some room to improve though, as they all do.
I think his D is pretty good. He does get abused in the post, but he is quick and all over gaurds who try to penatrate. He doesn't really get burned.
i really don't think this is arguable. watch Luther's off-the-ball defense before you call hiim a bad defender. I can even offer up some simple logic to the discussion, which i think is irrefutable, as well. Just because a rookie or 2nd yr guy can shoot 3s does not mean he will make JVG's rotation...see Novak. there isn't a chance in hell JVG would play an undersized rookie/2nd yr guy at the 2 this many minutes if he didn't think he played good team defense. And once he decides to give him the minutes (because he provides some clutch offense, as well), it's up to JVG to hide his one-on-one problems with bigger guards. JVG is the guy deciding to put him into a mismatch; JVG is the guy who will tolerate it if you can hustle and play solid team defense.
He has quick hands and gets alot of steals on help D, but I dunno if I'd call him a good defender. One-on-one against most SGs he's a liability because they can shoot over him. He's decent at staying in front of his man, but isn't really much of a threat other than that.
Both our pg's need to learn how to defend the pick n roll better. That abosulutely kills us, especially when you get Yao involve trying to trap. LOL Backnthe day, so you do that too now. You're rihgt. Thats a great move. I'm 5'11 or 5'11 and i always end up playing the tallest player on the oppsing team or the best player(I take pride in dfense and like to guard the best player) That hand on the face is the best thing ever. I also never seen a player ever hit a shot when i do that. It makes you onder how come i never figured that out beofre. I only do for player who elevate on their jumpshot or are considerably taller than me. I don't get mad at Rafer or Luther when they're on the block getting posted up becasue they're not big bodies, so they'll get abuse from time. Like I said I'm 5'10 or 5'11 and about 165 and i also get abuse sometimes on the block becuase I player center for my squad usually and I'm slim and tall so big men automatically post me up .I'm surprise beecaue streetvall isn't high iq basketball and everybody usually want to get theirs but whenever teams seem me in the paint they automatically try to post me up.
team defense is about hustling and being in perfect position. Help the Helper!!! imo, it takes more than a good teacher. You need stamina, speed, defensive smarts, and anticipation...wrapped up in constant hustle. All our perimeter defenders are making few positional defensive mistakes. It is one of the reasons why our defensive 3fg% is looking so stellar lately; and it is one of the reasons we crush bad teams a lot (4th best pt differential); and it is one of the reasons why we've been able to help the helper so well (ie, help Hayes help Yao...which is probably the most crucial things we do on defense).
Luther is has average defense against players similar to his size, but he gets posted up easily by bigger SG. I hope he can make the transition quicker to a PG. If he can practice ball handling, getting the ball across the half court quickly and passing over the summer, he will be money as a PG.
Average at best. His defense is either bad or just OK. At least with Rafer, there are a few games where he causes some havoc with the other PGs ballhandling and actually disrupts what's going on. Luther doesn't do that.
I don't think you can question Luther's effort or understanding on defense. His defensive problems stem from his physical limitations. If Rafer is out and he has to guard a 1, he is too slow. If he is playing at the 2 like usual, he is too small (height and width) to the point that even Cat looked big against him - to the point that poor Drexler said he was 4 inches shorter. In the games I watch (almost all) Luther often does a good job of staying in front, recovering, estering, and getting a hand up towards the ball or face. usually, though, the offensive player is not bothered enough and the shots fall. On postups and turnarounds he simply has no chance. His hands are not as quick as Rafer's but I think he has good defensive instincts and that accounts for the steals he does get. Like Mobley, Luther was a good (not great) defender in college. It took Cat a few years to become decent in the pros (don't see him enough now to know whether he still tries) but I think Luther might be able to figure some things out and become better. Right now I vote that he is average but would be above average if he was 2 inches taller.
maybe im delusional but i think luther plays pretty decent D for the most part. He gets in trouble when he guards bigger guys but there isnt a whole lot you can do about that..he's just a smaller guard.
The Rockets drafted Luther because he could play a relative amount of defense, compared to all of the guys in his draft class. I know it doesn't look like it, but he does try. He creates steals, and he tries to jump at the guys he's guarding, but they're just too tall for him. Remember that one game a few weeks ago when he knocked the ball of the other guy's leg to create the turnover in the last seconds of the game, and we won because of it? I forget what game it was, but that was an awesome defensive play. I'm not saying he is a great defender, but he does have defense in him. He would do well to emulate Rafer as far as defense goes.
Luther's problem is that his best offensive position is SG and his best defensive position is PG. Ideally, you'd want to have a PG who is the opposite to pair up with him, which we don't have....maybe Billy could develop into that guy. But he is most certainly a better defender than Rafer. I lost count of how many times Chauncy took Rafer to the hole last night, most of those times being baseline, away from any help defense. At least if you are going ot get burned, be sure and get burned towards your help, so that you can rotate quicker and more effectively.
Luther is just very conservative on defense. He won't make plays because he doesn't take the risk. And sure, he'll be posted up by player's like Billups but what do you expect, the guy is undersized. I say he's average defender but definately not below average. Steve Nash, Jason Terry, and all your offense focused point guards are the ones that are below average.
Luther is average for a second year, undersized 2-guard. Which, in effect, makes him not very good at all. Among our regulars, I would say he's easily our worst defender.
