How much improvement can we expect? Are Mobley numbers reachable in the future? Luther Head YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 0506 HOU 80 27 28.9 .403 .361 .699 .4 2.9 3.3 2.7 1.11 .11 1.49 2.10 8.8 Cuttino Mobley YEAR TEAM G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 98-99 HOU 49 37 29.7 .425 .358 .818 .4 1.8 2.3 2.5 .90 .47 1.61 2.00 9.9 99-00 HOU 81 8 30.8 .430 .356 .847 .7 2.8 3.6 2.6 1.07 .40 2.30 2.10 15.8 00-01 HOU 79 49 38.0 .434 .357 .831 1.1 4.0 5.0 2.5 1.06 .33 2.09 2.10 19.5
Given playing time he'll improve in some areas, but I can't see Head getting the 30mpg that Mobley got his second year.
I don't think Luther will play as many minutes for the Rockets next year given the amount of depth we plan to add his offseason. Also, I'd like to see his FG% imporve. However, I think he will improve in almost every aspect of the game. Very few rookies get the PT he had last year, and the learning curve is huge. I, for one, hope we don't trade Luther in the offseason given that I think he will make some big strides. It's always troubling to spend time developing a player, only to see the fruits of that development harvested on another squad.
Didn't he play PG in college? Isn't that why we drafted him? I know he moved to SG because of the TMac injury, but I wonder if we are ever going to move him back to PG. 6'3 185 is too small to play SG on a consistent basis IMO.
Actually, he was never a PG in college. He played SG, and we thought he was athletic enough to make the trasisiton to PG. Unfortuantely, I think it's clear that he's doomed to be an undersized 2guard in this league. However, Mike James in only 6'2", and he's found a way to make a good living. I don't think Ben Gordon is any taller either. He'll be a solid role player for his career at the 2.
For Luther to take it to the next level, he is going to have to be able to "create his own shot." He is going to have to be able to move to score, not just be a jumpshooter. And Luther is going to have to get stronger to be able to guard the taller SGs in the league.
I expect Luther to shoot around 40% from the 3 point line this year. He came into the league with a deadly 3 point stroke, and for a good chunk of the season his percentages were hurt badly by that rookie wall. If he shows any of the form we saw at the start and end of last season consistently as he should, he will definitely be an offensive asset for us. I surely hope he's working on that FT shooting, though. As for playing PG, I think it remains to be seen...in a couple of years he should become a sufficiently good ballhandler, and pairing him up with Rafer definitely helps that aspect of his development. And like others have said, he definitely needs to put on some meat.
I think the playing time he got last year will help him a massive amount. I think he'll a solid 15 - 20 min rotation player if the team stays healthy overall.
He did show the ability to drive baseline last year. His finishing could use some work, as well as his jumper, but I think he's shown enough potential and talent that with natural physical development, he'll be a player in this league. He seems like a good kid and a hard worker. I'm expecting good production from Head next year.
I see Head rotating between SG and PG in reserve, with more playing time at PG. Hopefully, we sign James, and he becomes our starting SG, with Alston continuing to be our starter. I expect Battier to be a backup at 4,3 and 2 to provide depth, as our sixth man. I think Tmac will stay at SF. But, of course, JVG isn't remotely interested in what I think ... ... and, he'll probably rotate lineups according to matchups, and settle in after determining what experiments work.
IMO Luther will play a key role in helping the Rockets to acquire a better fitting piece of the Rocket puzzle.
I COMPLETELY agree with this one, and it's happened so many times in the recent decade(s) with the Rockets. So painful... I really hope we can get what we need without giving up Luther Head!
If that's the case Luther will never go to your next level because he will never successfully guard taller SGs. I think the best we can hope for this year is a much improved shooting % and more smarts on defense. I'll be happy with that. Luther's ceiling isn't very high but it's high enough to be a role player on a good team.
If that's the case then fine. I am fine with Luther being a nice bench rotational player. Just as long as we all recognize that's what he is or will become. Nothing wrong with being a solid bench rotational player. That said, if I could move him in a deal in which I was able to obtain a starter, I do it.
Honestly, I can't see him averaging more than 12ppg in any season on this team. He'd have to play big minutes on a bad team to get #'s and on contending teams he won't get a bigger role than 6th man. He could develop into a great 6th man if his 3p% goes up, so I hope we don't have to trade him but right now he's not worth missing out on a good trade for. It's nice to have a couple young guys for a rainy day but we've already committed to winning now. Might as well just keep Gay too if Head's staying!
A poor man's Ben Gordon might not be a bad comparison, but Luther is no slouch himself. I think we'll see more consistancy from him this year. I'd say he'll average around 12-14 per game depending on his playing time.
