Yeah, along with the PF position, we also need someone who can pass the ball and activate the whole team to enhance our SG position, and the rockets doesn't seem to have made a bad choice! But I indeed doubt that lack of experience would be the most barricade that keeps him from being a CLUTCH when the whole team are dreaming on the floor.
I actually like the pick....I really wanted Jarret Jack, but he was gone so I think Head will do........I wasn't to big on any of the PF's in the draft, because of their size........James must stay, if we lose him, we'd be losing one of our 3 go to guys.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There should have been no surprise. The Rockets knew what they wanted and didn't keep it a secret. They wanted an athlete, a flier with afterburners. They wanted a defender, because they always want a defender. And they wanted a solid perimeter shooter. They began seriously targeting Illinois guard Luther Head when he lit up the pre-draft camp in Chicago. They went into Tuesday's draft hoping he would last long enough. Then, after failing to move up despite months of trying and a night of heavy discussions with eight teams, the Rockets grabbed the guy they had targeted all along with the 24th selection, making Head their first first-round pick since 2002, when they took Yao Ming and Bostjan Nachbar. They then sounded almost as excited. "On the phone, we were both sounding the same," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "He was excited about coming in and was breathing heavy. And I had been holding my breath since (pick No.) 20 and was out of breath, too." The Rockets did not have a second-round pick, having sent it to New York to get Jeff Van Gundy released from his contract in 2003. A shooting guard at Illinois whom the Rockets plan to also work at point guard, Head was considered among the best athletes in the draft at any position. But the Rockets went for him because of his outstanding perimeter defense and solid, improving shot. "You all know our coaching staff," Dawson said. "The thing that can keep you off the floor on our team is defense. That's why we think Luther has an outstanding chance of seeing the floor pretty quickly. He's one of the best defensive players in the draft. Getting out on the floor, putting pressure (on the opponent) and keeping the ball in front of you ? that's very important when you still have Yao Ming learning how to stay out of foul trouble." Head said he expects to contribute as a reserve.</div> Source
I like this pick. I wasn't to thrilled about the PF options in the draft and I have faith that the appropriate moves will be made by the Rockets staff during the off-season. Off of Head for a quick second, do you think if Gerald Green had fallen six mor places (picked by the Celtics at 18) the Rockets would have grabbed him? Just a curiosity on wether he is someone we would have wanted playing for us.
I think we would have gotten Green if he had slipped all the way to us. He's also from Houston btw..T-Mac will play SF while Green could be SG. Just imagine the kind of athleticisim our team would have had we gotten him
The All-Star game would be dominated by Rockets... *slaps self and wakes up* BUT, we have Luther Head and I'm excited about seeing what he can do.
He looks like a scrub that will b released after summer camp. Hence the coach is van gundy and he's lookin for older vets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Could you stop being so negative for once? Frankly, it's not pleasing everyone the way that you criticize everything we do. There's something called free agency, and we can sign free agents for a reason. Stromile Swift, Chris Andersen, Donyell Marshall and Zaza Pachulia could be the help we need at the four, no?</div> You act like I insulted YOU. Sorry if I offended anybody with my horrible comments about the Rockets. If I hurt anybody feelings I'm sorry . I was wrong, we should keep Charlie Ward, and resign Weatherspoon, build around that young nucleus, and then we'll be able to compete with San Antonio.
^^^^Don't mean to offend ya homeboy, but keeping charlie ward and resigning Weatherspoon isn't gonna make us any better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">You act like I insulted YOU. Sorry if I offended anybody with my horrible comments about the Rockets. If I hurt anybody feelings I'm sorry . I was wrong, we should keep Charlie Ward, and resign Weatherspoon, build around that young nucleus, and then we'll be able to compete with San Antonio.</div> See? I'm not appreciative of that either; you obviously don't mean a word you said and are trying to be sarcastic. I'm sorry if I came off too offensive to you, but I just don't like pessimists who only have criticism for the team and nothing positive. Not to say it's wrong to be one, but it doesn't fit my personal taste.
Rockfan just thinks Carroll Dawson is stupid for what he did on draft day. The rest of us TRUE Rocket fans think otherwise. In hindsight, we are better off with a PG because we might not get instant impact from a rookie like Simien or Turiaf or whatever. There are several available FA PF's that we can get, and there are better options for us there. Anderson, Marshall, Evans, Swift, Chandler.. Theres alot there.
I also expected a PF but that doesnt mean another pick was bad. I think Luther Head was a great pick after I read all the reviews on him. Very athletic, has a great work ethic, good defender, and most important hes very confident. His only flaws see to be his height and shot selection.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post">Rockfan just thinks Carroll Dawson is stupid for what he did on draft day. The rest of us TRUE Rocket fans think otherwise. In hindsight, we are better off with a PG because we might not get instant impact from a rookie like Simien or Turiaf or whatever. There are several available FA PF's that we can get, and there are better options for us there. Anderson, Marshall, Evans, Swift, Chandler.. Theres alot there.</div> I agree with you to an extent dakeem...however, this team was so loaded with guards that I can see why rockfan would say that we need some forward depth, because we did...however, I assume that we will make some free agent moves that clarifies this pick...I honestly think that swift and Marshall will be out of our price range, and Anderson has already agreed to return to New orleans...The Bulls will likely match whatever offer Chandler gets...I think its very likely that we end up with Antoine Walker, or maybe even a spot player like Reggie Evans or Udonis Haslem...I still would've rather had youth at the 4 spot, since we have some youth at the guard spot in James...it wasnt a terrible draft choice, but I believe that it is very much questionable...but it will be answered once free agency ends and training camp arrives...
James is 29. So statistically he should be at his peak right now. In other words he aint gonna improve much further. IOf course that is just an assumption based on age but it seems to be the case for most players.
I don't have anything personally against Rockfan, I'm just frustrated that he never seems to like anything about this team. Lack of youth, height, speed, athleticism blah blah blah but they're the things everyone knows.
I dont think Head was a terrible choice, but i agree that dawson might not have been great on draft day. It wasnt too logical wha he did. We have spanoulis coming in from Europe. Why would we need Head? He doesnt even have to play this year. They are probably going to get another pg in FA too because our biggest whole is the starting PG. I like james as a second string and using spanoulis as third string, no need to have gotten head. A PF might have been better. Simien wouldnt bring anything new other than rebounding, but why not a guy like turiaf? Even if he isnt used immediatley, it is logical to make him a prospect.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dakeem1:</div><div class="quote_post">Rockfan just thinks Carroll Dawson is stupid for what he did on draft day. The rest of us TRUE Rocket fans think otherwise. </div> I don't have any bad blood towards anybody. But if you REALLY watch the Rockets, and have been a true Rocket fan, you would see that all my criticism is on point. Some of you like the Rockets, but don't watch them consistently from the start like I do. For instance, by not drafting a bigman we still don't have any size at Center or PF. What ya'll fail to realize is that in the NBA today, size wins CHAMPIONSHIPS. So by not drafting a bigman, we're going to take a gamble in F/A, but we could very well end up with an UNDERSIZED Weatherspoon backing up Yao next year. The most logical thing we should have done was draft a bigman, secure that spot, and then take a gamble on a Point Guard and maybe another bigman through F/A. But at this point, we shouldn't be gambling on our WEAKEST position. Luther Head might be decent, but is he going to back up Yao? Who's going to back up Howard? Yao gets in foul trouble alot, wouldn't it of been nice to have a young bigman off the bench to rebound and blockshots. I mean, the opportunity was there and we passed and drafted another guard when we already have 5(not including spanoulis). I hope we get a PF or Center through F/A, because if we don't, then the draft would have been a failure.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rockfan06:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't have any bad blood towards anybody. But if you REALLY watch the Rockets, and have been a true Rocket fan, you would see that all my criticism is on point. Some of you like the Rockets, but don't watch them consistently from the start like I do. For instance, by not drafting a bigman we still don't have any size at Center or PF. What ya'll fail to realize is that in the NBA today, size wins CHAMPIONSHIPS. So by not drafting a bigman, we're going to take a gamble in F/A, but we could very well end up with an UNDERSIZED Weatherspoon backing up Yao next year. The most logical thing we should have done was draft a bigman, secure that spot, and then take a gamble on a Point Guard and maybe another bigman through F/A. But at this point, we shouldn't be gambling on our WEAKEST position. Luther Head might be decent, but is he going to back up Yao? Who's going to back up Howard? Yao gets in foul trouble alot, wouldn't it of been nice to have a young bigman off the bench to rebound and blockshots. I mean, the opportunity was there and we passed and drafted another guard when we already have 5(not including spanoulis). I hope we get a PF or Center through F/A, because if we don't, then the draft would have been a failure.</div> Hey, the Rockets definitely knew what to do when they chose Head. Weren't you the sole critic of Charlie Ward and how the Rockets need an upgrade at speed and on defense at the point guard position? Luther Head solves the problem, but you're still not happy? We are definitely not undersized in the frontcourt. We have 7-6 and 7-2 centers's, 6-9 power forwards, at least whoever's in the rotation. What's to say that Weatherspoon would back up Yao? Weatherspoon won't even likely be part of the team next year. Yao will be backed up by most likely Mutombo again, or a young center who we sign like Dan Gadzuric or Joel Przybilla. There will most definitely be someone who is brought in to the four, either to start over or to split minutes with Juwan Howard. The power forward spot in October will definitely not be weaker than it is now. Next season is looking bright, I don't get your negativity.
