His release is quick enough. The problem with it is that his form is so unorthodox, that even though it's effective, there's just too much room for error. He doesn't get great balance on his shot cuz his body is always fading a little to the left, his release isn't the most consistent a la Novak. But yes, a tweener SG like him MUST be able to free himself up consistently to get shots off, and with his handles, I don't think he's capable of doing that on a consistent basis, especially against above average defenders who'll have the height and length advantage over him. He'll still have a place in the league, just look at Damon Jones and how long he's managed to stick around, but looks like his effective days ended with JVG gone.
I was at U of I when Deron and Luther were playing... I feel bad for the guy getting a DNPCD in the playoffs while Deron is the series MVP... I bet if he gets minutes in the next game he really focuses and tries to play big.
Luther is too good. He needs to be in the game more often. He hits good shots and play lock down defense.
You know why i say this because of Morey and his scouts talking about upgrades at a GM's meeting and unleashing names Alston, Battier it was in another topic on this forum. Normally when something is mentioned its not directly pin pointed to what is planed. For instance he mentioned he had the expiring contract for the point guard upgrade. This could mean a move to NY on draft night for #5 Bayless and a not believable or impossible move in most people's eye Yao Ming and Jackson who is expiring. When he said he has the expiring contract for the point guard upgrade he is talking about Bayless and the big expiring contract on that team. Remember Less set out a order about getting under the luxary tax but that does not mean he is finished. Another one is Portland looking at all their draft picks in the 2nd round its all pin pointed to guards. Houston at @25 has Douglas on their mind in the first round and Portland has Love @#13 so i see something like Alston, Head, Battier and #25 and cash headed to Portland for Love, Outlaw, Pryzbillia and Jack. Portland would do this because Douglas gives them size in the back court and Morey has already indicated point guard upgrade and Prichard said they would consider the deal.
I like Luther, but I've thought he was going to be dealt for a couple of years now and the guy keeps hanging around. He's had some really good games for us, sporadically, but can't seem to get it together on a consistent basis. Like others have said, he'll be an expiring contract going into next season. Time to give him a chance with another team. Might be good for him. With luck, it'll be good for us.
After watching his game in Game 1 and Game 2 I can only agree. He is a good shotter but the Rockets need to trade his ass.
The Offensive system that is now being used does not fit him for the same reasons that the previous experiment to have him log minutes at the Point Guard failed. The correct oncourt decision making and vision that he lacked as a PG are also needed for the current Offensive system. To have a rookie (Brooks) and an aging Veteran (Jackson) eat into his minutes is not a good sign for Luther. The Rockets need to get a bit taller at a few roster spots and Luther is probably the first candidate to go elsewhere. He won't get any taller and he has been unable to develop enough skills to run the PG spot for 10 -12 minutes a game, so Good Luck.
I think he will be traded, but not for his performance. I Think it will be because we need a taller more athletic swingman to back up Mcgrady. Aside from him, our gaurds are very short.
Know what I notice? he makes some of the best cuts out of anyone on the roster. BUT, because of his size, it's hard to get him the ball OR the only person who can make that pass is Tracy and he's not going to PnR with Luther or Yao who is out. Just what I observe.
Luther's defense is as bad as Novak's? C'mon now. Give Luther at least a little credit. True, Luther's defense isn't great, but Novak's defense is straight up comical, not to mention his hilarious attempts at rebounding.
Every time I watch and really study Luther's D, he seems to come up big on big name scorers. He's got quick feet and hands, and he gets a lot of BS calls (not to mention he gets just about no calls when he's got the ball).
Why hate on Luther Head? He was our best 3pt shooter last year. And he has not be really horrible this year either. I think he plays much better with Yao on the floor. He is what he is, a good spot up shooter. Yao gave him the space to shoot. And as Mango has mentioned, Adelman's system, which requires good decision-making ability, might not be good for him.
A lot of the hate Head gets is quite confusing. He only averages one turnover a game, which isn't the turnover factory everyone says he is. The truth is that Utah is just a horrible match up for him, every time he steps onto the floor his opponent is just going to be a much bigger person then he is, all of utah's two guards are pretty much 6'7" or taller, magnifying his defensive liability. Hes gotten to the rim a couple times in the first two games, but just couldn't finish over Utahs large frontline and physicality(niether can scola or Tmac) As we all know he can't play the PG position, so he can't matchup with Deron either. Every year Luther adds something to his game, this year you can see that he takes the ball to the hoop a lot more, last year the only time he took it to the hoop was on a baseline cut with Yao handing off the ball. Hes a decent player who is still improving his game and is a decent offensive option off the bench. His decision making isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be, he makes the right pass mostly, but sometimes its just a sloppy pass thats too low or off the mark. I think hes going to improve with a year of experience in RA system. He was just a spot up shooter in JVGs system, but now has freedom to do a lot more things in RA system.
