ClutchFans Rockets Draft Thread (Rockets select Luther Head at 24)

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/players/draft/555234

SportsLine's Analysis

Very solid player who is this close to being really good. If only he were just a bit taller, just a bit more explosive, just a bit more proficient from the perimeter. At this point, he's a second rounder who will struggle to make a roster. -- Tony Mejia Scouting Report

DOB: Nov. 26, 1982.
Scouting report: Shared the team's most valuable player award after a 37-2 season that ended with a 75-70 loss to North Carolina in the national championship game. Was considered the third option behind fellow guards Dee Brown and Deron Williams, but his leadership and floor presence helped spur Illinois as he averaged 15.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Has a quick first step that allows him to penetrate, but is content shooting from the outside. Has NBA 3-point range. Shot 41 percent from beyond the arc as a senior. Very confident. Not afraid to take shots at crucial times in a game. High-energy player who works hard. Has played out of position most of his career to make room for Brown and Williams. Lacks the size to play shooting guard in the NBA, but has yet to show the skills necessary to play point guard. Needs to show he can lead a team and orchestrate an offense. Expected to be a second-round pick, but could move up if he shows promise at point guard. (AP)


http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3724982

DIME MAGAZINE'S BREAKDOWN:
A solid shooter with a quick first step, Head had a huge senior season at Illinois gunning his way to the Final Four All-Tournament team. He shot a good percentage from behind the college arc (41 percent). As a defender, he's great on the perimeter with quick hands and good speed. He'll see a lot of run at the point in Houston.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft/d05/tracker/round?round=1

Houston Luther Head 6-3 185 PG Illinois

Maybe I'm just in a good mood tonight, but I really like this pick too. The Rockets need help at the point and Head should be able to immediately come in and help out at the position. He has great size, is a fantastic athlete and has a beautiful stroke from 3-point range. I think Head was one of the most underrated players in the country this year. He's not a pure point, but he's better than anything the Rockets have right now.

 

Now that we have been given Head, this board has officially changed from PG-13 to R.

ALL contributing members! Let's change to Pay-per-View members!!!

 

It could be worse, you could have seen your senile GM say your #1 pick was from the wrong school.

 

Here is something for all the people that are upset with the Luther Head pick. This is all from the Chicago camp:

"There are three ways to help your draft stock at the Chicago predraft camp.

First, you can actually play well in the event, like Luther Head and David Lee did, and convince scouts that you're first-round material."

"The overall winner this year was Oklahoma State's Joey Graham, who blew away the competition. Second was Georgia Tech's Will Bynum. Other top players with good scores included Rashad McCants (3rd overall), Luther Head (6th), David Lee (11th), Marvin Williams (15th), Chris Paul (16th) and Raymond Felton (18th)."

"Luther Head ranked as the most athletic point guard in camp. Will Bynum took the award for the 2-guards. Joey Graham won for 3s, David Lee for 4s and Marcin Gortat for centers."

"On the individual test front, Will Bynum recorded the highest one-step vertical jump at 40½ inches. Gerald Green and Ronnie Price tied for second at 39 inches, followed by Luther Head at 38½. Chris Paul and Hakim Warrick rounded out the top-five, each launching a 38-inch leap."

"Name, Bench press, vertical jump, Lane Agility, ¾-court sprint and Overall rank.

Joey Graham/26/36"/10.62/3.05/1
Rashad McCants/15/34½/10.39/3.11/3
Luther Head/14/38½"/11.12/3.21/7
Deron Williams/15/35"/10.83/3.25/10
David Lee/14/32½"/10.80/3.19/11
Marvin Williams/12/35"/11.11/3.17/15
Chris Paul/10/38½"/11.09/3.22/16
Raymond Felton/6/33½"/10.50/3.06/18
Ronny Turiaf/15/33"/11.50/3.23/21
Gerald Green/7/39"/11.2/3.21/24"

 

First of - I want to note that I called this (in about four different threads)

2) head is taller than Wesley and can shoot and defend the PG position - word is he is developing good PG skills AND he limits his turnovers

D, shooting touch, and low turnovers.... I saw this coming, that is all the qualities of a JVG guy !!!

also, if Seimine was so great, why didn't he go to Seattle or Detroit (they both drafted big)/// maybe CD will get something in the second round !!!

 

Sucks, doens't it...... , LOL

 

Sorry, repost

 

I have a Head ache

 

Have you sold any shoes lately to players who are currently free agents?

 

Initially, I was puzzled, but I'm willing to give him a chance before passing judgement. Let's not forget Sura wasn't a point coming out of college (played with Cassell) and Wesley's not a point either. Mike James is a point, but he likely will walk after this year for a payday assuming he's not traded first.

Hopefully, James will see a lot of pine time after talking about a payday over a year away. How about focusing on next season?!?

 

I'm confused as to the choice, but I guess he is Wesley's replacement...

 

Sura for Simien, or Taft???

 

Hate to break the news to you, we don't have a second rounder.

 

I like it.
He's a combo? Can be a combo guard..and they said he's a good defender and he is tireless! That's awesome. Youth is what we need! Point guards need energy.

Sura's a combo..AD is combo.

Maybe he'll be like a more energetic Antonio Daniels..I like how he can run around all day. Plus he's with Tmac and Yao!

I don't think he'll start though. We have to move either Sura or James or Head.

ROCKETS GOT HEAD!!!

At the power forward, I think Howard will stay, but I think we should get someone else..hopefully a guy like Swift! And then a guard/forward with Tmac..

That'll be good. Hopefully resign Mutombo and Barry.

 

head is the real answer to the real JET, jason terry who embarrased us last season in the playoffs...i hope we make a trade to get a 2nd round pick; there alot of fours left on the board

 

Looking at the positive. He is athletic as hell. If he can shoot and defend, what is there not to like?

Originally posted by ClutchCity Reuturns. From the Chicago combine.
*********
Name, Bench press, vertical jump, Lane Agility, ¾-court sprint and Overall rank.


Joey Graham/26/36"/10.62/3.05/1
Rashad McCants/15/34½/10.39/3.11/3
Luther Head/14/38½"/11.12/3.21/7
Deron Williams/15/35"/10.83/3.25/10
David Lee/14/32½"/10.80/3.19/11
Marvin Williams/12/35"/11.11/3.17/15
Chris Paul/10/38½"/11.09/3.22/16
Raymond Felton/6/33½"/10.50/3.06/18
Ronny Turiaf/15/33"/11.50/3.23/21
Gerald Green/7/39"/11.2/3.21/24

 

Good pick, IMO. Honestly when Granger, Graham & Green (hmm... lotta Gs) slipped that far, I was hoping we might jump on the phone and try to make a quick deal for one of them. But considering who was left (Taft, Simien, Head, Ukic), Head would've been my pick.

Hopefully Memphis picking Warrick will make them more keen sending Swift or Wright packing.

 

His theme song - <http://powerloadrocks.com/music/headthemesong.mp3>



http://powerloadrocks.com - THE AC/DC Tribute band

 

Name, Bench press, vertical jump, Lane Agility, ¾-court sprint and Overall rank.


Joey Graham/26/36"/10.62/3.05/1
Rashad McCants/15/34½/10.39/3.11/3
Luther Head/14/38½"/11.12/3.21/7
Deron Williams/15/35"/10.83/3.25/10
David Lee/14/32½"/10.80/3.19/11
Marvin Williams/12/35"/11.11/3.17/15
Chris Paul/10/38½"/11.09/3.22/16
Raymond Felton/6/33½"/10.50/3.06/18
Ronny Turiaf/15/33"/11.50/3.23/21
Gerald Green/7/39"/11.2/3.21/24

From the Chicago pre-draft. Originally posterd by cluthcccityreturns.

 

Not every combo guard is Steve Francis. I don't think Head is a dumb player.

I think at this point they were just looking for the best player available as opposed to filling a need.