B-, that is depending on that we do in FA. If we do not sure up the PF position, or have a more solidified backcourt, then i would have to grade it lower..
I would give the Rockets a C+ if possible. I think Head could turn out to be a decent rotational player, but I personally would have gotten CJ Miles. CJ Miles will most likely be a much better player down the road and I think we could have waited 1-2 years on him, especially since Head won't be a big impact player on this team. I'll reserve full judgement when we start rolling in the FAs.
I guess as with drafts, we'll just have to wait and see. Head seems like a reasonable pick now that I've read about him. If he stays in the league as a rotational player, I won't complain.
I don't feel like I know enough about Head to vote. I've read everything that's been posted about him here, but I've never once watched him play. I sure hope it turns out to be at least a B.
First, he's a Mike James clone. Secondly, we're going to play him at SG. We don't need an athletic 6'3" SG with a 6'5" wingspan. We need a 6'6" or 6'7" SG with a 6'9" wingspan. In retrospect, I should have selected "D". At least Head kept us from making the mistake of Simien. And puh..leeez...don't tell me how much you've watched Head at ILL. I watched Head as much as I watched Mateen Cleaves. I was drop dead right about the latter.
This entire draft grade is dependent upon how the rest of our offseason goes. If we can get what we want in terms of PF, we look like genuises, if we don't, we look like idiots for taking a PG in the draft.
Even if a 6'6 or 6'7 SG, like Hodge or Garcia, were available at our pick, neither of them can play defense. Which Head supposedly excels at. Head will be seeing time at PG, not at SG. Head will be gaurding PG's. Dennis Lindsey said that Head, at the workout, impressed playing PG, and his versatility and ability to play the 2 as well only added to his value.
Considering that my top pick, Warrick was taken 5 picks before the Rockets got their chance at him, I am happy with a tough, physical, defensive guard that can also score.
In most cases I respect your opinion GATER...but on this I think you are wrong. Head will be a PG...a scouting report I was passed from a good scout who watched every Illinois game says this kid will be a good player for us. Cant grade the draft until I see what else we do...and see for myself what Head can do in the summer leagues.
I give a B. I like this pick, a hybrid pg/sg who can handle the ball & shoot the 3's. Reminds me of when we drafted CAT a few years ago. I really hope he will pan out in the nba.
FYI... too bad it didn't happen By Clutch Copyright 2005 ClutchFans.net Rockets director of player personnel Dennis Lindsey said on local 610 radio that the Rockets tried to move up, hinting it was to get local high school product Gerald Green. "We were quite busy," said Lindsey. "We were aggressively trying to move up, offering multiple picks." When asked who they were trying to acquire, Lindsey laughed. "Well, there is a local guy who is pretty athletic," said Lindsey, referring to Green. He also added that the selection of Luther Head at #24 will make more sense after the free agent period. "You not only weigh in the draft who you can get in the draft, but you also weigh free agents and the trades you can make [afterwards]. We think as we move forward this move will make sense to the fans." "Free agency is where we are going to make a major move. We have crystallized some of the things that we think we can do. The Head pick will make more sense as we piece our team together."
well...a ex-poster here is from the midwest and posted this last week...it isnt a true report in that he covers every aspect of his game...but this is what he had to say about him. This guy is normally spot-on about scouting players, so I trust him...YMMV
If Head is going to play PG for us, like most of us are suspecting. What is going to happen w/ Sura, James, and Spanoullis?
I don't agree entirely with your analysis...but to put it in perspective: think outside of need, is Mike James at 24 really that bad? In other words, if we looked back at the year Mike James was supposed to be drafted, do you think you'd find 24 players better than him? At the same time...the guys that probably fit your description closest (Hodge, Garcia, Graham I guess) were gone. There was a complete lack of movement overall, and we heard we tried to move up for Green unsuccessfully, so in that respect, our hands were tied. Head plays very good defense, is a superb athlete, and can shoot the rock. He had just under a 1:1 steal:turnover ratio. It's not a stretch to see why we liked him. Keep in mind, he was the leading scorer on a team that made it all the way to the final game of the NCAA and was ranked #1 overall much of the season. He had a stellar 2.2 AST/TO ratio- in perspective, the only true NBA 2 who had a better one was Wesley. While Mike James is a good athlete, my guess is he doesn't have a 39'' vert. He also is probably one of our more movable pieces at this point. The most important line from his ESPN Scouting Report (which isn't always the greatest, but usually ok): "Is a good set shooter from 3-point range but really struggles when he takes that shot off the dribble ..." This is a huge thing for the Rockets. This was the difference between Mobley and Francis. Francis couldn't shoot off the pass. He just wasn't a set shooter. Some guys are better off the dribble, some guys are better with their feet set. We need the latter off kickouts/doubles from Yao and TMac, and Head and his 41% 3P% fills that. If Head were 6-6 or 6-7, he wouldn't have been available anywhere near 24. Edit: If I had to attach a grade, I'd give it a solid B. Lindsey says this pick will make more sense after free agency. I certainly see some possibilities here, but want them to materialize first.
I know you didn't just pull out a CJ Miles reference ... that young man should get his tail up to Austin and work on his game
