I sure hope Head is a better defender than our supposed best perimeter defender now (Wesley). But I'm not sure if he is going to be able to defend the two things Rocket's need most. This was evident against Dallas in the playoffs when we lost because Terry and Stackhouse would just go off on our guards. Is he fast enough to guard Terry? Is he strong enough and big enough to guard Stackhouse? Who knows. Hopefully he can at least stop some of the bleeding on the perimeter.
In all honesty, Reece Gaines was bust before he came here. When you can't get playing time (actually getting yourself benched) on a losing team headed for the lottery when there were real minutes available at your position, I consider that an ominous sign. Too bad this fact completely escaped our GM because he actually counted on Gaines to help fill the hole created at the guard position because of the McGrady trade. This hole is still here two years later waiting to be addressed. Mark my words, however, Head is no Reece Gaines. Head can actually PLAY.
My expectation for Luther Head is that the 99.9% favorable rating he's established already at Clutch Fans will rapidly diminish once the Big 10 is history and San Antonio and Dallas are the present and future.
I was delighted when we acquired Gaines. I thought he had the potential to be the steal of the trade. I consumed Old, cold Crow on that one. I truly hope you are correct, but at present I don't see him helping us very much.
He'll help simply by being better than David Wesley but I just don't see him addressing the problems at the starting PG spot.
If Heads defense is as good as advertised, I don't see any reason why he couldn't get even major minutes. He obviously can shoot, and that itself will earn him some minutes. AND, If he turns out to be a real point guard, he could eventually start. I think, at this point, Wesley is the odd man out. If Luther shows us he can play, Wesley will be traded before the deadline at latest. I think A lineup of Head at 1, Sura at 2, McGrady at 3 will be seen a lot. Sura can't be worse defending 2's than he was against point guards IMO.
And there it is: "as good as advertised." Let's recall the "advertisements" for Bostjan Nachbar regarding his shooting; Eddie Griffin for his rebounding, shotblocking and shooting; oh, this is depressing. There are too many "as advertised" with which to deal. Keep on wishing. I will too.
Sura is not the answer to defending 2's. I love Sura, but he does not have the foot speed to shuffle on the perimeter. We've got to get a 2 that is quick and long. That ain't Sura.
It seems to me like you're very, very close to the point where you're actually hoping the guy fails just so that it proves you right. Give the guy a chance. If only for your own sake. He's athletic, he can shoot, and he's a hard worker who improved his game significantly every year at Illinois. He did a very good job playing the point in Chicago. You may be right. But why don't you just hold off on the negativity? Because will it really be worth it if your wrong?
IMO, best case scenario for Head is to be somewhat like Mke James. Great quickness, very good spot up shooter and a much better than average defender. Can't ask for much more than that.
Scouting players isn't an exact science. But these cases are vastly different. We are talking about a college senior in Luther Head, who has played under the spotlight for most of his college career. Scouts (even ours) have seen him, I believe, dozens of times. On the other hand, Bostjan Nachbar was playing in Italy. If I remember correctly, he played 1 year at the A1 level, and was 20 year old then. The amount of scouting he was under can't possibly be high as in Luther's case. Eddin Griffin turned out to be a great shotblocker, a good rebounder and he could shoot the NBA three. Sounds like a quite accurate scouting to me. Of course, nobody could assume he starts shooting at people. There is no reason why Luther wouldn't be a good defender. He is certainly athletic enough and his length will suffice against 1's if not 2's. And playing for Jeff van Gundy isn't going to make him a worse defender than he is now. Well, we will see, what he does when the season starts. But let's give him a chance first.
i was thinking more along the lines of dwayne wade, only not as quick, but a better shooter and better defender. probably not as good a finisher either. but luther head looks like he's got what it takes to make it and make it well in this league. mark my words. he will be good.
Difference is: I don't think many fans actually saw Bostjan Nachbar played. However, a lot of people watched Luther Head played because he played in a winning team. Eddie Griffin does have "all that as advertised" but things off the court killed his development.
I was giddy with delight regarding both of these acquisitions. However, there was a lack of truth in the advertising -- like seeing an ad for a candy bar and finding it is truly delicious but gives a three-day case of the runs! This time around I'll believe it when it's a fact rather than a fantasy.
Like they all do, I suspect him to buy some illogical, monstrosity of a new house in one of those ‘distant planet’ neighborhoods, filled with tasteless and ungainly furniture that you might have the good fortune to see if you are one of those late night cable TV channel surfers. On game night though, I expect him to furnish some essential rabid dog mentality and athleticism, and most probably………the best production per minute of any Rocket for the dozen or so minutes he will get his freshman year. Carroll Dawson will look genius-like by season’s end and subsequently invest heavily in exploratory, future passenger space travel. Head gaining confidence and trust, will continue to improve and produce with each passing year, making everyone around him better, and this is a far, far reach………perhaps one day have an honorary banner raised in his name. Anything is possible. I expect the better far more than the worst.
...and as the years pass and his powers grow stronger, it will eventually be Head who dethrones the dark overlord, once again freeing our planet from the evil reign of imperial destitude that has cast a shadow over Mother Earth for so many years... [feel free to continue...]
