He's stepped up huge. I haven't seen either of the last two games, but from the looks of the box scores, he's giving us almost exactly what McGrady would. Of course that doesn't mean we should be the same team as we would with McGrady, as we're still missing that production that Head normally gave us off the bench.... ...if that makes sense.
He should start for us. I like Hayes and all, but we need Hayes' toughness off the bench. Start Head when McGrady gets back and have Bonzi and Hayes be your sparkplugs off the bench.
That thought has run through my head many times, while he doesn't have the sawgger Cassell does (i'm talkin' rookie and second season here by the way), he definately gets it done in the clutch. He and T-Mac in the 4th can be a dangerous combo...
That was the best overall game I have seen him play. Wow, he was impressive. It was like he was moving at warp speed. If this is a glimpse of things to come, very encouraging.
Last time I checked, winless w/o T-Mac so how can you even think of comparing their contributions to the team?
Chill out. He did good tonight but don't compare him to Sam just yet. It's a long season and when he bricks shots for 3 games in a row what will you say then? If Luther stays solid the whole year then major props to him taking a huge step from being a rookie.
Comparisons aside, Head has came up BIG for the Rockets. He doesn't need to be compared to any past Rockets nor does he need to fill McGrady's shoes. If he can produce like he has been (not meaning statwise, but just being efficient), we got our 3rd scorer. If Bonzi never comes into shape, I don't care. I rather have a small guard who can score and is 50/50 from behind the arc...not to mention the "you just got F***ed by Luther Head" sneer he gives whenever he hits in the clutch. I love it when he pulls that look out. Luther Head = Michael Redd Lite
We've only played two games without T-Mac, so that's too small a sample size to say that he is or he isn't playing McGrady-esque. All I'm saying is that stat-wise, he's putting up numbers that McGrady would, if not a little better. But like I said before, that does not make us any better of a team, or the same team, because even if Luther steps into McGrady's shoes, we have nobody to step into Luther's old shoes. Thus, we've lost the last two games.
Actually, it's pretty interesting how this team matches up personnel-wise with the 1994-95 playoff team. Big, dominant center (Yao/Olajuwan). Small, hustle guy at power forward (Hayes/Chucky Brown). Defensive-minded three with outside shooting capability (Battier/Horry). Penetrating, scoring two (Drexler/McGrady). Shooter/distributor one (Alston/Smith). Bench role guys: Bonzi (Elie), Head (Cassell), Mutumbo (Charles Jones), Novak (Chilcutt), Spanoulis (Brooks). Pretty similar types of players.
this guy's a definite keeper. he was lucky to be drafted by the rockets. he would've never gotten that many minutes in his rookie year had it not been for all the injuries. he would never have the chance to be the SECOND OPTION on any other team in his second year. the sad part is, he really is our second option with tmac out.
This is by no means a knock on JVG, but I believe that that coach back in 94-95 could do wonders with this bunch.
Interesting comparison, i've never thought of this before. I do think it's a bit early to start annointing Head the next Cassell, but he is making a name for himself in his own right. "Shoot/distributor one (Alston/Smith)" -That's the only one I really don't like. The thought of Skip to my Brick shooting makes me want to cringe.
The thing I found most encouraging about Luther the last couple of games, is that he's driving the ball more. And more importantly, he's been finishing in the paint. He's been nailing that floater of late, and it's really opened up his game. With his accuracy behind the arc, if he can continue to improve and refine his penetration and finishing ability, he can definitely be a major offensive weapon on the weak-side.
