Mike James vs. Luther Head, who should get the minutes?

Luther should get minutes until MJ snaps out of it. MJ has been a dog this year and should be traded at the first opportunity, unless his play on both ends improves dramatically. Luther has major flaws but at least he brings one thing to the table.

 

James sucks so much this year! He kills the offensive flow and is a me first player

I would rather have the Consummate professional, at least with him we would have a shorter contract and a good locker room guy.

James is a depreciating asset, and Luther still has some upside.

James will be our Matt Maloney, Moochie Norris albatross, rotting on the bench.

 

I think Miguel James deserves a shot out of his slump.

 

I was about to ask the same question! if you add third option "Neither" to the poll, that will be over 70% I guess.

 

I don’t buy into the notion that James is just in a slump, and that his past history would suggest he’ll get out of it. He’s really only had two good seasons in his 7 year career (04/05 and 05/06). Every other season, most importantly his 2 most current seasons, he’s either been mediocre or just flat out bad. History would suggest, the 2 good seasons he had were aberrations and what he is now, is all he’s going to be.

Add into the equation that he’s 7 years older than Head, every single team he’s been on has gotten rid of him a season later, he’s been horrid on defense, and the offense stalls when he’s on the floor, I don’t think there’s really any question which player should receive more playing time.

The energy and ball movement have been far better since Head and Brooks were inserted into the rotation for James. Stick with them. At some point you have to make a true commitment to your young players and let them go through their growing pains. Head is being asked to do things he wasn’t asked to do before. Give him some time to adjust. At least he looks like he’s trying out there, which is more than I can say for James.

 

To me, we're picking the lesser of two evils, if you will. I disagree that James's defense is better than Luther's. I think both make a couple bad plays per game, but Luther's are the ones that make you say, "wwwwwhat are you doing?"

Now, if you were to say James can perform and play more as a pass first PG, I say give him the starting job and Luther back him up. I am a big Rafer supporter, but if James can get his shot fixed and look to be a passer and shooter, then we got something.

But to be fair, if I can believe that Luther's shot would come back as it has, and hope that Brooks shoots better, then I wish the same for James.

 

This was tuff.

I don't ever see Head being more than he is, a 3pt threat.

I don't ever see James regaining his Toronto game.

Although the 3 is sweet, I'd still take a bulldog that drives.

 

I dont want to see Head playing in last 5 min. Also, I dont want to see James being a ballhog.

Both of them have their limitation, Adelman needs to use them wisely.

 

I noticed that too. Listening on the radio, whenever Petersen said James' name, you knew a shot was coming within a few seconds. Lately though, he has been making a post entry pass, or swinging it back around if there isnt anything there for him.

 

James>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Head

I CAN'T STAND LUTHER HEAD PLAYING IN CRUNCH TIME.

He is a one trick pony who should only play in certain situations against certain teams to keep them honest on d.

Luther can't handle, pass, play team d, count down a shot clock

Please give Mike James the minutes, he is in great shape and his shot will come around

Alston/Brooks
T-Mac/James
Battier/Wells
Hayes/Scola
Yao

Deke/Francis/Head dress

Snyder/Landry/Novak in sports coats

if you go small give Steve some minutes with a three gaurd lineup NO LUTHER PLEASE

 

Trade them both for Jason Williams.

 

If I had any faith in Mike, I'd hope that he finds his A game again. As said, he brings a complete game to the table where as Luther is woefully limited.

However, James hasn't just been terrible in his production - his willingness to buy into the team has been dubious. I rarely have doubts as to whether Luther is doing what the coaches ask, and at full effort. With James? Not so much. I also can't forget his defense getting so apathetic that he got chewed out by Battier over it.

Right now, Luther is statistically equal to James across the board except for points (and FGA). For them to have the same assists, A/T ratio, is pretty damning in my eyes. If you think of every ill-advised, me-only-offense missed FG by James as a turnover, it looks worse.

For now, I give the minutes to Luther, but allow Mike some time to prove if he can get with the program.

Overall, a 3-man swing rotation between McGrady, Battier, and Bonzi is probably best for us.

Evan

 

Luther.

 

luther bone-head because he is a better three point shooter...the only knock on him is his defense but he is still developing and he might up his trade value...mmike james is solid but his value is already established

 

Right now, i'll pick Head over James. James hasn't done anything for the Rockets this year and he didn't impress me at all vs. the Raptors and Spurs games i saw. On the other hand Head is shooting the three well at time, James never, but neither are good enough imo. Snyder should get some minutes and when Francis gets in shape again he should be given the opportunity at the #2 spot too. He can still do his penetrating and kick outs to get some assists but there's too much pressure on being the creator at PG. Francis is not a PG so that spot is for Rafer and Brooks off the bench.
Our SG needs to be the third scorer, so either Francis, Head / Wells. Head and Wells need to be more consistent and getting at least 15+ pg if they start at the 2 spot. McGrady should be the cutting and creating SF like Lebron and not the big SG playing like a PG / Point Forward. Then we can get Yao 20+, McGrady 20+ and then the SG 15 / 20+. I believe the Rockets under Adelman can make this happen but Adelman needs to talk to McGrady. He needs to understand his role and Wells + Head should be everyday practicing their shots so they can be like Maxwell was for the early 90s Rockets. Battier then hits the bench but i don't mind that. His shots are not falling consistently so practice harder. Scola needs to be the starting PF and we have a nice team (not championship material though). They need a trade, no doubt about that, but if they can establish this i believe there's only 2 or 3 who need to go and not 4 to 6.

 

Hey you know your defense is bad when you have Shane Battier of all people chew you out. I never seen him that pissed before.

 

I think we give James another shot. Luther is just too unreliable a ball handler for my liking. If James still can't hit a shot to save his life then I guess the minutes go to Head by default?

 

What evidence was there that James and T-mac did have "beef", or still do?

 

There's a reason everytime Luther checks into the game, touches the ball or tries to play defense the words "OH GOD" or "OH NO" are uttered out of my mouth.

I don't care how bad you might think James has been. He's a much better player than what he's shown.