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

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_13213.shtml

By Bill "The Rocket Guy" Ingram
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jun 28, 2005, 22:30




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<b>Offseason Breakdown Part II: The Draft </b> With the 24th pick in the NBA Draft the Houston Rockets select Luther Head. Who is he and how will he help the team next season? Find out in today's Rockets Report!


Bill "The Rocket Guy" Ingram
Basketball News Services

Six foot three and has a 39" vertical leap. He's money from three, lightning quick down the lane, and finishes with the best of them. He's experienced at both point and the off guard, but is likely to be the Rockets' sixth man next season as he plays behind Mike James. That's the basics, but what are the particulars of the latest member of the Houston Rockets?

If you don't know, you better ask somebody. Ask me! Head has the mental toughness that Jeff Van Gundy demands. He's gritty, he's quick, and he isn't afraid to take the big shots. Behind his leadership the University of Illinois was all but undefeated. Check out his stat list from their website:

2004-2005 Senior: 2005 Consensus Second-Team All-American

Associated Press Second-Team All-American

USBWA Second-Team All-American

NABC Second-Team All-American

College Insider.com All-American

Sports Illustrated.com Honorable Mention All-American

First-Team All-Big Ten selection by both league coaches and media

Big Ten All-Tournament Team selection

NCAA Chicago Regional All-Tournament Team honoree

NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team

Wooden Award finalist

Oscar Robertson (USBWA) Player of the Year finalist

Adolph Rupp Award finalist

USBWA All-District

NABC First-Team All-District

Started every game of the season, leading the Illini in scoring, averaging 15.9 points (5th in Big Ten)

Scored 622 points on the year, tying the fifth-highest single-season total in school history

Illinois' leading scorer in 16 games

Scored in double figures in 36 of 39 games, with 12 games of 20+ points

Led the Big Ten with 116 three-pointers (3.0 per game) and set an Illinois single-season record for three-point field goals in a season (breaking previous record of 96 by Cory Bradford in 2000)

His 116 three-pointers rank as the third-highest single-season total in Big Ten history

Made at least three treys in 23 games

Second on the Illini, fifth in Big Ten and 33rd in the NCAA with a three-point field goal percentage of 41.0 percent (116-283) ...Shot 46.3 percent from the field on the season (214-462)

Led the Illini in free throw percentage (6th in Big Ten) at 78.8 percent (78-99)

Second on the Illini and fifth in the Big Ten in steals, averaging 1.7 spg

Third on the Illini and fifth in the Big Ten in assists, averaging 3.8 apg

Third on the Illini and fifth in the Big Ten in assist/turnover ratio (2.17)

Third on the Illini in rebounding, averaging 4.0 rpg

Big Ten Co-Player of the Week on Jan. 17 after wins over Penn State and at Northwestern

Las Vegas Holiday Classic Tournament MVP

Illinois' school-record holder in the NCAA Tournament for career games played (14), career points scored (162), career field goals (59) and career 3-point field goals (32)

Scored season-high 26 points twice; at Northwestern (Jan. 15) and vs. Wisconsin (Feb. 12)

Set a career high with six 3-pointers vs. Oakland (Nov. 24) and equaled that mark with six treys vs. Louisville in the Final Four (April 2)

Had a career-high six steals vs. Iowa (Jan. 20), the most by an Illini player on the season

Tied career high in assists with nine in three different games; vs Oakland (Nov. 24), vs. Gonzaga (Nov. 27) and vs. Valparaiso (Dec. 19)

Scored 1,000th point at Wisconsin on Jan. 25 and ends career ranks 19th on the Illini all-time scoring list with 1,295 career points

Fourth on the Illini career three-point field goals list with 209 treys

Ninth on the Illini career steals list with 158 steals.

What else do you need to know?

He plays the passing lanes extremely well, with a knack for picking off passes. On the offensive end Head will benefit from the rules changes that made it all but impossible to guard quick perimeter players. He is in a state of perpetual motion, and should draw plenty of fouls as opposing defenders try to contain him. The question mark for Head is whether or not he will be able to be a full time NBA point guard. He played two for the Illini, but at 6'3" 185 he is undersized to play the two in the big league.

There is some talk that drafting Head makes Mike James expendable, but don't buy into that. James is the perfect role model for Head to study under. With his work ethic, James could easily play a major role for the Rockets late next season. Clearly Houston went with the safe pick, the smart pick in this draft. Maybe they will reverse their trend of weak drafts. This is truly the first pick of the Jeff Van Gundy era. It will be fun to see how he fits into the system.

Bill "The Rocket Guy" Ingram is Executive Editor for Basketball News Services, powering HOOPSWORLD.COM and Swish Magazine

 

Well, at least they got who they wanted ... we'll see how it turns out.

 

Any rumors about trading for a second round pick, like Turiaf?

 

Even though Head will probably end up being a solid NBA player, I just don't see what he brings to the table that we already don't have. Yes, he is very quick and can score. Same could be said about Mike James. Like Mike James, I don't have any faith in his ability to run an NBA team.

Assuming Head plays the point for us, that still leaves us without a shooting guard that can guard bigger 2-guards and without a backup 3 for Mcgrady. Our lack of size in the backcourt was really exposed in the Dallas series. Stackhouse, Finley, Howard, Daniels were abusing Barry and Wesley inside.

 

Oh I guess not.

 

He's on the 610 online stream right now

http://www.sportsradio610.com/

 

Luther on 610 right now.

 

I can't understand a word he is saying.

 

Does Head join the rotation or is he sent down to the NBDL?

Right now we have the following point guards.

Sura
James
Norris
Ward

and waiting in the wing
Spanoulis (does the Head pick mean he is another Boki? All hype)

This gives the Rockets a possible 6 point guards with Head.

What gives?

 

I think I'm comfortable with this pick. I'd feel better though if we could get some taller guard prospects. Right now, we've got James at 6-2, Spanoulis at 6-4, Head at 6-3, all who seem to have the same strengths: quick, high-energy, and pretty good shots.

Can't complain, I guess. I just want someone who can guard SGs and take the pressure off T-Mac. I'm also concerned about shot selection. James and Head both seem like they could have questionable shot selection.

Then again, look at Ginobli what does for the Spurs (although the refs help too)

 

He could play along side Sura with Sura guarding SGs and head guarding PGs. When I first saw the pick I was fairly upset. However doing a littl ebit of research on this guy he could be a nice combo guard for us and give us the athleticism and quickness that we really need in the backcourt. His shooting will fit in perfectly in the Rockets offense.

 

Poor man's Francis? How about Baron Davis?

We'll see.

 

I just hope people reserve judgement untill they see the kid play. I like his game, and feel that he was the best talent left on the board.

 

Dont like the pick, We have to make some changes in the backcourt

 

He brings youth and health body.

 

Ginobili is 6-6...

 

I know I'm jumping the gun here, but it would be great if Spanoulis and Head can play together.

 

I've reconsidered.

Sura has a bad back, Wesley is getting up there and could be included in PF deal. Yea you have James but we could easily get caught short handed without a player like Head. Makes a lot of sense considering the options available at the time.

Now CD go get us a PF.