Is it fair to judge Head on how well he matches up with Utah?

I think he's a player we want to keep. I have my reasons, but have grown very tired of typing them out every time. I disagree with the general sentiments on this board, and I think he's a good player.

Without typing out what I think are his strengths and weaknesses and what are his perceived strengths and weaknesses, most of it can be summed up in two words. Decision-making. If he can be a better decision-maker, I think he goes from a good player to a very integral part of this team's success.

 

I am with you completely. Luther's biggest issues stem from indecision.

He makes great cuts, is a decent passer when his timing is right, attacks the basket well and can shoot from the parking lot.

Luther has also improved defensively. He gets beaten occasionally, but so does even the best defenders. I think he has gotten stronger so it's more difficult to back him down into the paint.

I think a lot of people here do base their hate for Luther on his playoff performances against Utah and it irritates me, but I can semi-understand it. It's very frustrating to see one of your better three point shooters struggling to make a shot. I do think it's because of the matchup, but I would have thought that he would do better in 08 than he did in 07 instead of worse.

He has a place on the team, I don't think that's a question. Bill said it very well in the game Tuesday. No one ever talks much about Luther, but every year he's back out there in the rotation.

Oh and that's how Luther was put on the Team USA scrimmage squad, Clyde was on the committee to vote on members.

 

We can't judge Head on what he has done in the playoffs, it's unfair. He has been Mr.Clutch for us during the regular season ever since hes been on the squad. His time will come to shine in the playoffs, he just needs a little more time. i have a really good feeling about him in the playoffs this year, he has improved ALOT

 

I want to like Luther Head. I really do.

The problem is I have never, EVER seen a player less capable of making a post entry pass. Ever. Yao is 7'5" and Luther constantly hits him in the knees with passes.

Add on that Luther is not a PG and can't match up with SGs... and he becomes a roster liability.

 

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Go to the 1:03 mark. Sometimes you shoot better with a hand in your face.
In the 15 minutes Head played in game 7, he got 5 points and 2 rebounds on 2-4 FGs.

To be fair, Head subs in for T-Mac.

It's not that easy. It has a lot to do with his build/height. You can tell he works on it because he has always been a good cutter.

 

Well said!

 

I've never seen a guard lack so many guard skills before. Maybe Kareem Rush has worse handles, but I've never seen him throw passes into the third row.

For a limited player, Head at least plays to his strengths. I remember last year Adelman told Head not to do too much with the ball and just concentrate more on scoring. To Luther's credit, he's a good shooter and scorer overall. For a 3rd string guard you can't ask for much more.

 

Commodore, I was saying this same thing. I think Head has played worse in the preseason, but at least part of it may be that Utah is a matchup problem for him in the playoffs for whatever reason... I'm willing to withhold judgment one more time I think...

 

^^^ Errr... I meant playoffs, not preseason.

 

I don't understand the hatred either. Head is a decent player, one of the better shooters on our team in the last few years. I guess people just remember his playoffs misery and forget about how he's been hitting big shots in his first two seasons when our offense was beyond ugly.

A lot of you guys seem to have forgotten how he was one of the very few bright spots of the team during his rookie year. He was fearless.

He is not a PG (bad handle and bad decision making), but he is small. That is something that will dog his whole career. He can shoot and he is a good cutter. If he had a bigger body to match up with the standard NBA SGs, he would have been a good rotation player off the bench.

 

Luther is ok. But if a trade opportunity comes along I say do it. Wouldn't trade him for Reddick though.

 

You, as a rookie, makes a better point than others here. The point is not only if Luther is good, or bad (he is just ok), but rockets should use his spot to get a better player. We know Deke is still not signed, the back point guard is not very good, and Luther is not a good choice at this position, so we can not say we should keep him because he can play the ball sometimes, but he should be the first one to go if there is a trade opportunity over here because the team does not need him at the most time.

 

The only thing that would answer this question is another question

HOW WELL DID HE DO AGAINST THEM IN THE REGULAR SEASON?


if he did well then he chokes in the playoffs and if not then it is a matchup problem for him. can someone lookup his stats against utah in the regular season or at least provide link to where to look?

 

I'm neither a huge Luther fan or a huge Luther detractor. The fact of the matter is, that right now, Luther provides more to this team than Harris, Strawberry, or Francis. If Morey can get someone that will contribute more for Luther and others than he will do that. In the mean time, it makes no sense to get rid of Luther so that you can let Harris, Strawberry, or Francis have a chance.

From what I have seen, Luther is one of the better Rockets at moving without the ball and has shown that he can be an effective shooter. Why not see if he can improve on his consistency and hide his weaknesses, as opposed to just getting rid of him when you don't have a viable alternative (sorry SF apostles; it ain't gonna happen)?

 

that's pretty much it...if there's an opportunity to get rid of luther for something (or anything), Morey should go ahead and pull the trigger since he's basically the odd man out...at this point, we could actually use the free spot to bring back deke at least.

and it's funny how I see some people say Rondo has the easiest job in the world where all he has to do is just pass the ball to KG, Pierce or even Allen, but put Luther in his situation, and that same plan just won't work (Luther and his bounce pass..lol)

the same goes for brooks...bounce passes are not kool (especially on a fast break or when passing it to Yao ).

 

What amazes me is that the majority of posters here trade him. If you guys think he's so worthless, why in the world would any other team want him?

 

with morey, anything is possible

believe in him...for he is the one who could make things happen

 

I think it's mental with Luther. He's shown in the regular season that he does possess skills.

 

most 3 point shooters fold in playoffs because of the intense defense.
Guys like Okur, Mike Miller, Dirk all can not hit their normal 3 pointers. Head is no difference.

Shooting, the most useful skill in basketball, is the Head's only skill set. that's good for a 10th man on the team.

Head needs TMAC to create for him. when TMAC was triple teamed or replaced by Head himself, Head's 3 point shooting will go south. You hate him because he can not create for himself?

Before I blame Head, I blame the team not having another player can create. I'd hate our PGs who can not either shoot or create while playing 48 minutes before I hate 10 minutes Head for going 0/3.

It is ridiculous to hate the 10th man on the team, especially your team's 70% players can not even do the fundamental of basketball, shoot.

 

Playoff choking must have improved his experience. He should be ready now to perform in playoffs. He has certain talent, he's a good shooter, he can create his own shots, he's very good without the ball, he fits very well in Adelmans offense. Now he must have the mentality and the confidence for doing in a serie what he does regularly in the RS.

Don't forget he is a very valid player for the RS, I remember his 2nd NBA season (2006-07) and he was maybe the most regular rocket player of the roster, and the best only behind Yao and Tracy. He was decisive in many victories.

He completely choked in playoffs, but it's a tough situation when you enter in that spiral, you put yourself that pressure, and you compete against a better team. He doesn't had too much experience, but you earn experience thanks to failing. It's all about mentality, let's hope he now got the experience.

And sorry for my english (I wanted to say more technical things but I can't).