I think this guy should be our Derek Fisher type PG backing up Rafer for about 18 mins a game. About 3 times every game, Luther makes a fantastic pass. He's also got quick hands and plays the passing lanes well as evident by how many steals he gets. If he can solidify his 3pt shooting and his decisionmaking, he should be our 6th man of the future and most likely our starting pg. We don't need a stud at the point, just someone to feed the post, hit open shots from Tmac and Yao, and D up.
Head will be a solid contributor on this team for years, not exceptional, but i think he'll get in the range of 10-15 points a game. I think he's more suited as a scorer, dont see him as a point guard.
I knew someone would go there I like Luther alot, i don't what happened to his shot but i think he can be a solid bench player. But i am not opposed to trading his ass if it helps our team.
I like Luther too... he seems to play hard when he's in there, and he looks like the type that will continue to work hard to improve his game every year. That being said, he's not a pure shooter... and he doesn't finish strong at the basket (although he is improving at that). Guys like Fischer and Cassell came into the league with a smooth stroke... they're pretty damn good pure shooters. Frankly, they didn't have to really evolve all that much... they're pretty much the same players now as they were when they came into the league. Luther still has A LOT of improving to do if he wants to be the primary 6th man on a playoff/championship calibur team... and that itself is merely a microcosm of how far this team has to go to get to that level.
Actually, Luther came into the league with a pretty darn good stroke. Then a couple of months later he was forced into starter minutes, and he hit the rookie wall like a Corvette at 185mph.
Yes he has been but he is still playing out of his natural position! He was pressed into playing backup Point Guard due to the state of the Rockets Roster.
Luther strikes me as a guy who can really improve over his first few nba offseasons. His obvious priorities are developing a mid range jumper and a floater/teardrop to finish around the basket. His 3 point stroke will be solid once he's accustomed to the nba season. He did hit about 50% from deep over the first month and a half, so I'm feeling good about his potential to be a legit outside threat next year. Even though he probably won't be a starting PG in this league, I like the way he runs a fast break.
we've got him coming in at Sg the majority of the time. But I'm saying convert him to a Derek Fisher type pg where he shoots 3's, passes to yao or tmac and get out of the way.
he kind of reminds me of a slightly less athletic and slightly shorter michael dickerson. but my memory may be off on this one. anyone else think thats a good comparison?
He needs to hit the weights and dribble 2 basketballs simultaneously all summer. He's got decent enough quickness to be a good defensive point guard. He can't defend SGs. He's too small. Ideally he turns into a Jason Terry or Derek Fisher type PG who can handle the rock, hit the 3 ball, and take it to the rack when the defense plays up. I'd like to see him have the ability to supplant Rafer at some point. If not, then trade him and SS to GS for Pietrus and Troy Murphy.
Head had his best game in a long time against San Antonio. For most of the season (since early December), he's played very poorly. He needs to improve a lot to be a solid rotation player.
Luther Head sort of reminds me of Kenny Smith. He probably won't be quite as good as Kenny was, but they are both athletic point-guards who can shoot and distribute the ball relatively effectively. Head probably would be considered a "poor-man's" Kenny Smith, which is not bad by any means.
Luther already has more mental toughness and guts than Kenny. Kenny would never want the ball in a clutch situation and would disappear down the stretch. He allowed other players to get into his head and completely disrupt his game. Watching him contently sit on the bench during key playoff games during our championship runs made me sick. That said, Kenny did hit the 3 pointer that tied Game 2 in 1996. Other than that, I can't think of another player who's game wilted as much under pressure, except Peja a few years ago. I'm not ready to give up on Luther becoming a decent PG. It's too early to say what he can and cannot be.
I would like to see Luther spend the summer being tutored and worked hard by a John Lucas type personal coach, and spending some serious time running the point in a Fonde type situation - if Gundy is serious about using him there. Plus put him on growth hormones and stretch him on a rack everyday. And if he can jump that high I wanna see him dunk every so often! Playing the point and working on his passing in summer can only help him with decision making even if he comes back and plays mostly the 2.
Very true. Its funny how even as a rookie, many people in this thread have this "what have you done for me lately" perspective when it comes to luther. Not one mention of the magnitude of the shots he hit vs g state, sonics, and bobcats. The ability to take and make shots like that is not something that can just be taught. I really hope that Rox mgmt does not feel the same way some folks here in this thread feel in terms of wanting to trade him. The best things about youth and inexperience can only be brought out through patience. I hope the Rockets remain patient, and give Luther a legit chance at improving and growing with the team. I remember a few years back when Yao first came up and people were ready to give up on him after his first season and look what he has become. By no means am I implying that Luther will become a player of Yao's magnitude, but he has the potential to be a really good player with this team. He is signed for 2 more years making just under 1 mil. I think considering what he brings to the table right now and the shots he has made for the Rockets so far this season he is already a bargain. Why not give him a chance?
Luther reminds me of a shorter, younger version of Richard Hamilton. As others have said, I really think over the next few seasons Luther will develop into an excellent player.
I say keep him. I wouldn't look to move him. The mistake the Rockets continue to make is bring in players that are past their prime, and are older and less durable. We need young people in this organization to grow, and help keep the franchise competitive for years to come, not just the immediate. This season's problems should be VERY apparent of that. Yao and TMac are still young. T-Mac's future is a little shaky now, but the futures of Wesley, DA, Barry, Mutombo, etc. are nearing their end. How about we not try and comprise this team of older players, b/c that hasn't seemed to work for anyone. Shaq, Kobe, Malone, GP? no. Dream, Clyde? yes. They weren't too old just yet. Team just got older and older. Dream, Bark, Pip? no. Yao, T-Mac? hmmmm? Let's not make the same mistakes. The Pistons, Spurs, Mavs, Phoenix all have a couple players they build around. Pistons are just a solid 5 starters that have been playing together. They don't change their lineup! A consistent lineup is very important, something the Rockets know nothing about. Spurs, you have Parker and Duncan. Add a little Ginobli and Bowen, sprinkle other people...you have winners. Mavs, Dirk...well that's about it. You have very solid players in Terry, Stack, Howard, Daniels. I think they still need more inside presence than Diop/Dampier to really make a run at the title, but hey, they are a hell of a lot closer than we are. I'm sure there are plenty of holes in my logic and argument here, but the basic premise is, get a consistent lineup and roster. Grab younger bodies and keep them around. But then again, JVG is driving most of this... :\
