http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6176562.html [rquoter] Rarely used most of the season, Luther Head got a chance when Tracy McGrady went out with his sore left knee – and for one game – made the most of it. The problem was that it was just one superior game. He had 21 points and the Rockets knocked off the Spurs, but Head had not done much since. He scored 23 points in the next nine Rockets games, including one in which he never got off the bench. But with Rafer Alston out with a strained hamstring, Head began picking up playing time as a backup point guard – six minutes against Denver, seven against Sacramento – before another breakout game Friday against the Timberwolves. Head played 19 minutes off the bench in Minnesota, made 6 of 7 shots and had 16 points, handling the ball well enough to collect three assists without a turnover. This time, he hopes, the solid game would start a trend rather than stand out as a one-game aberration. “I just get into a mindset where I just got to stop thinking,” Head said. “After yesterday, that was my mindset. I think that was a problem for me. I have the mindset now that when I’m just going to play. Whatever happens, happens. “It was sort of a relief. Just seeing the ball go in, it definitely gives you a boost. When you see the ball go in, it makes you want to do it more times.” [/rquoter] Should Luther continue to be in the rotation when Rafer returns, or do we use Wafer or Barry instead?
I really have a soft spot for the dude. He seems so humble and self-effacing unlike the rest of the players in the league. Hope he continues his strong play.
We continue to use Head in the regular season as long as he contributes like he has the last few games. When the latter second half of the season and playoffs come... Barry's experience will be extremely valuable. That's what we brought in Barry for anyways. The playoffs. As for Wafer I think he should get limited playing time as well with Head depending on who's on that particular night.
This is flat our scary that Head says that. I know what he means, but what has he been doing the past 3 years? That's scary in year 3 he realizes he's been over thinking. Please trade this dude for Sean Williams in NJ for a backup shoot blocking center.
I'd like to stick to Wafer or Barry rather than Luther unless he proves his value come next few games.Until then I won't put him off the bench to 'ruin' the night. Meanwhile,he's just a shooter,no dribble penetration most of the night.He just shot the ******* ball well night in and night out against the Twolves,but when he got ice-cold hand,what the hell else could he do on the court?
I don't understand why it took an injury for Head to replace Barry in the rotation. Other than height, there is just about nothing Barry can do better than Head. When Barry comes back, Head needs to continue to take his minutes. He is just flat out better, and he is incredibly underrated on this board.
defense: barry, wafer and head are all very bad defenders. barry gets some steals here and there but he can't stay in front of anybody. luther always tries hard but he gets posted up almost every time when he plays the 2 and he's too slow to guard quick point guards. wafer hasn't figured out how to defend properly but he can't be posted up that easily and he's athletic enough to keep up with anybody. defensive ranking: 1. wafer 2. head 3. barry offense: all three are supposed to be great shooters but all of them have struggled with their shot this season. barry so far has been totally off missing even a lot of totally uncontested jump shots. luther and wafer have been on and off randomly. the question here is: what do they bring to the table besides shooting? barry was supposed to handle some backup point guard duties. in my opinion he has been a disappointment in this role so far. head is our emergency backup point guard but he really can't handle or pass the ball that much. so, basically he doesn't bring much to the table besides his shooting and his cutting. wafer can't play point guard but he's a pretty solid shooting guard. his athleticism enables him to be more than just a shooter. he has shown the ability to get to the rim and finish strong. he's not the greatest passer or dribbler but he's in a position where we don't expect him to be one. offensive rating: 1. wafer 2. head 3. barry bottom line: wafer should be in the rotation unless we need help at the point guard position. barry has to get his act together or he's useless for this team. and luther should just stay on the bench unless an injury occurs or we need emergency help at the 1.
When everyone's healthy, Head would be an option as the third-string point guard or shooting guard. He may not be a vital piece for the Rockets, but he's definitely not a bad option to have at the end of the bench, either. He does tend to be less consistent when getting irregular minutes, but you can say that about almost any player. Also, I give him MAJOR props for being such a professional despite having his minutes drop drastically in the past three years. Even though it's a contract year for him, you don't hear him making a single complaint about playing time.
I agree, good post. These head hunters were given gold and couldn't make me laugh once. Shows how du....much they know.
Head is right. He got to stop thinking about what he is going to do with the ball. He needs to shoot whenever he feels like and hopefully make them.
Barry's the back up 2 when he's back. He struggled with his shot, but he has too much of a history to drop him. He's far more valuable in the playoffs than either, and we need to get him going.
Develop Wafer. Keep Barry if he recovered fully as his experience is valuable for playoff games. Trade Head: mental is hard to improve and it is very risky to test his in the playoff. He's only consistent in the sense that after a few sub-par games he'll give you one superior game. That's the trend in the past and that will definitely hurt Rox's chance in winning playoff games.
Its true. Thinking too much is not good. You just got to let the game come to you. This can be applied to other aspects in life.
That's true, especially for a shooter. As long as you're taking good shots, there should be no hesitation to let fly if you're a shooter. If you're shooting bad, your coach will take you out of the game. If you're a shooter (and that's all Head is, because we all know he's a terrible dribbler and even worse at playing the point) then there should be no hesitation because you're probably not too good at anything else. Just shoot with no conscience, again, if they are good shots. McCants (T-Wolves player) has no conscience. He was chucking at will. That would be good, but they were terrible shots. I think Luther (for the most part) can tell the difference between a bad shot and a good shot out there on the court, he's just not very effective at executing the play(s). I wish he was better, I really like the guy, but when push comes to shove you have to get rid of him if it helps the team even in a minor way. Good luck to him.
