If starting for a championship team and having 3 rings is called a jinx, I'd jinx everybody on the Rockets.
Head is a very good pick. He will be our starting PG by season end. Why? 1. Our PG does not need to make hard passes or fancy passes, just smart passes. 2. Our PG does not need extraordinary handles, just take care of the ball and be able to push the tempo. (He has a much better handle than Reese Gaines) 3. He can shoot (Much much better shooter than Reese Gaines) 4. He is a quick one on one defender. His problem will be picking up our system, confidence, adjusting to Yao and TMac, and pressing (trying to do too much) If he learns to play within himself, let the game come to him and has good confidence to keep stroking open shots, he will do fine. Reminds me of Ben Gordon/ Gilbert Arenas (drafted lower with lots of talent but viewed as undersized at the 2 and not pure at the point) Please stop the comparisons to Reese Gaines. They are two entirely different talents. Gaines did not have quickness and handles nor the pure shot that Head has. I admit I only watched him in the NCAA tournament (I had picked Illinois to win it all) but he really impressed me. At least in the tournament he was by far the best of the Ill. guards. Carried the team in the title game. He has the ability- depends on him adjusting and translating it all to the NBA level.
he had 3 games in his senior season in college with 9 assists and he wasnt even playing point. i agree he will be a starter before end of the season. i believe he is a pure point but the other guards must have showed the coach something he liked a little more.
I think he is going to be a PG version of Ron Artest. Great set shot, some offensive skills, and great defender. Honestly, I think he has the best skillset out of the Illinois guards for our team. We don't need an amazing playmaker - we need a good defender who can bring the ball up and shoot. To some extent, he is MJ's replacement. Face it, whether you like MJ, hate him, or love him - the Rockets are probably not going to want to pay market value for him. MJ wants and needs a big contract. Hopefully we find some team with a PF to trade that wants him - or we make a 3 team deal. We need to get value for him, instead of letting him go like James Posey.
He plays defense like Bowen, and on the offensive end, he is a poor man's Ginobili and Reggie Miller. He will lead the Rockets to 3 championships and make the all star team 6 times before he retires.
I don't really have any expectations for Head. I'll be thrilled if he becomes a contributor off the bench. Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake.
For those who are not familiar with Luther.....he's a good player. I watched almost all of Illinois games this year and can say that he was the go to guy when it all boiled down. D. Williams was the star point guard, but Luther was the man. Anyone that followed that team or Big Ten basketball will tell you that. Luther Head will come in and be a instant fan favorite because his motor never stops.....he will "D" up on anyone and give him a hard time. He is clutch.....never scared to take the big shot. He has a beautiful touch on his shot and has range...NBA range. His handles are above average and his speed and creativity will allow him to weave and bob through traffic for finishes. He will be a player in this league and the Rockets and fans will embrace him like Sam I Am was. The only problem I see with his game is that his shot selection wasn't always the best, but nothing like we were use to seeing a few years ago with Steve, Moochie and Cat. Luther also has Steve Franchise like athleticism....he is seriously explosive. 39' vertical and afterburners to match. I see a lot of highlights in his future. Once his learns the Van Gundy ways and given a lil freedom like the Spurs did with Manu....we'll see the real Luther Head. I hope this helps
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/stats/team/2004/illinois.html just compare his numbers last year to the two guys that went and were suppost to go ahoead of him until Dee Brown pulled out. He should be able to help this team from the start I think.....starting is a possibilty also if he can impress JVG.
My expectation for Head is that he better be able to run circles around the departed Reece "Is he a PG or a SG?" Gaines, or we're in serious trouble.
My hope is he can develop into a Michael Dickerson type of player with better balhandling. Both players have that bulky build, along with excellent athleticism and explosiveness. Plus, both seemed to be overshadowed in college by their teammates. At the very least, I'm expecting an excellent defender that has the quickness and strength to guard player's like Ginobili and Ray Allen.
I guess I'm expecting a rotation-guy -- 6th man or ho-hum starter. More than that is gravy. Less than that, we did pick at the end of the 1st. Unless of course Simien blows up, then I will curse CD.
That he play himself into 10 mins a game on a nightly basis if we are low on the bench at the 1 or 2 at durring the season...
10-13 minutes a game with decent enough defense and ball-handling that no one cringes when he takes the court.
why did we trade dickerson? he and mobley were a kick ass tandem back then. both super quick. excellent 3 point shooters. i remember that game where they both had 7 3's apiece.
