Luther Head, Newest Rocket

In a somewhat surprising move, the Houston Rockets decided to pass on drafting a power forward, choosing instead Luther Head, a four-year senior guard from Illinois. Head, at 6-3 and 185, will be tested at point guard and shooting guard for the Rockets.

In afterdraft interviews, Carroll Dawson revealed that he had been involved in talks with eight teams to move up in the draft, fearing that Head might be picked before 24. However, no trade was needed and the Rockets got their man nonetheless.

Let's hope that Head will make an instant contribution to this team and become a steal at 24!

 

I bet you Van Gundy had somethin to do with this. Being that he doesn't like legit bigman, he would draft a PG. We have 4 PG's on the team, and 1 darn PF (Juwan Howard). I'm not saying that it was a bad choice. But obviously we have NO SIZE, or SHOTBLOCKERS on the team. Who in the heck's gonna back up Howard, or Yao. That should have been the first hole we filled. If Van Gundy thinks he's going to win a championship with Weatherspoon at PF, he's waistin his time.

 

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?

 

CD said that after the offseason is done we will all understand why he drafted Head. Head's isn't really a PG btw, more of a combo gaurd at 1 and 2. CD also said that the free agency will play a major role in this coming season.

Picking Luther Head was a SOLID pick IMO, he can play on both ends of the floor - being defensive-minded first.

 

true true, but you know what i think? i think now that we picked up another guardwere going to see some movie around maybe we might even trade out some of or core and bait around in the trade, but then again you can never have too many gaurds. our team has done well even with juwann ot of hte lineup, when he comes back in he will be great. then again we could still resign torraye braggs to back up juwann. who knows i would really preferred to have drafted a PF but i think CD knows what he is doing and i back him up all the way.

 

I mentioned earlier the possibility of drafting a PG. I didn't have Head in mind though. I was expecting the gloor general we have always been after. I was dissapointed that Dawson ddn't take Ukic, but if Ukic went so late in the draft, there may have been a reason for that.

I think it was a good move to nto get a PF since there are so many available in free agency.

 

Man I'm really pissed that we took Head. I don't really want to sound negative or anything, but it would have just been smarter to take Simien, Lee, or Turiaf to fill the need. Instead, now if we're making some off season moves, we might have to blow up some of the roster which means it would take away some of the team chemistry that was developed from last year. Remember what happened at the beginning of last season? Exactly.

Luther Head was solid in college, don't get me wrong but I just don't think he's right for the team. If we we were going to draft a point guard, it should have been a playmaker, instead we get a combo guard that can't play point consistently while not having the height to play shooting guard. He's a solid defender and has enough offensive skills, but I'm just a bit iffy on whether or not it will translate into the pace of the NBA. I actually see us trading his draft rights or do a sign and trade with him to land us a legit powerforward, but that might just be me.

 

I was quite surprised they didnt go after a PF as well; however, they did address a need, which is youth and speed in the backcourt...I can imagine there will be times when James and Head are paired together, and that pairing is quick and smart defensively and can cause havoc...I do think we have way too many combo guards, considering that we have ONE legit PG on the roster, and thats Ward...but Dennis Lindsey, director of player personnel for the Rockets, came on Sportsradio 610 here in Houston following the draft, and stated that we will be making some major moves in free agency...he also said that after we make those moves, the drafting of Head will make much more sense...so I trust that the Rockets already have a great plan up their sleeves to get this team to where it needs to be...

 

I think the Rockets plan to trade Mike James. He is similar to Head, so he is expendable now. Maybe James and some expiring contracts for a really good PF.

 

I think its almost a certainty that one of the guards is gone. I would hate to see it but I have heard sura and wesley's name in a lot of trade rumors. I would not be surprised seeing Mike James starting with head backing him up at the pg spot next year. If they get some youth and athleticism in a trade involving sura and wesley then I'll be all for it.

 

I dont think it was such a bad idea to take Head. Everyone says we should have gotten simien, but he is an undersized PF and not much of a blocker. Taking a PF, like you guys said, is putting him as a backup to howard. That sounds rash and could be costly. Head should be a prospect, and i doubt he will play this year. According to the rockets, they plan to have him contribute in 2 years. What is the point of spanoulis though, i thought he would be a pg of the future?

The new CBA gives the rockets more money, so they can pursue a better PF like Swift now. They can get a quality PF and through trades, upgrade the backcourt.

 

Alot of people actually have this guy underrated. People feel he was just over shadowed by the other players in Illinois. Im actually exited about him. He's very atheletic with a 39" vert. His only problem seems to be Shot Selection and that can easily be corrected. I think he can play well especially next to Tmac and Yao.

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I like this move by the Rockets because Head is underrated and is going to be a good player in the future.

 

Late in the first round, I think its generally better to go with the best player available versus trying to fill in specific needs. While we may be in more desperate need of a PF, I think this guy will be a good player for us.

I wonder how we're going to pear down the number of small guards we have on the roster: Sura, Wesley, James, Barry (if he comes back), and now Head. Surely, all of them can't be part of the regular rotation.

 

I doubt that Barry would return now. What we do need now though is some size in the backcourt. None of those guys are true point guards and no one except Sura is taller than 6-3. We were able to cope with it last year but the holes might show if Wesley doesn't have anyone big backing him up.

It seems like the Rockets management really know what they're doing. Drafting Head was a bold move and one that could potentially cripple the team if we can't bring a young athletic power forward in in the summer. This is a risk that they're willing to take, and by the way they sound in public comments, I think we should trust Dawson and Van Gundy.

 

hmmmm this is all quite interesting.... i'm all for it and i can see a very big named p/f comin to houston.. i like the direction of this team and i see us doin well in next year... i think head will compliment this team quite nicely... hes a defender first, and a good shooter.... i mean who doesnt like head?

 

Like I said, I think Mike James is going. He'd be great trade beait, so maybe we can get a solid SF through trade, and a PF like Swift or Donyell through FA. Then TMac can switch to SG and our size problems at guard will not be an issue.

For that Solid SF, I'm thinking Al Harrington.

 

I really was confused by this pick, then I realized that Luther Head was a consistent player on a championship caliber team.

I want with all my heart for Jon Barry to stay a rocket. He brings energy, and he's a great shooter. If anyone is going I think it may be Wesley, Barry said that he will either sign or retire, so the rockets know they can get him for the minimum. We know that Padgett is probably on his way out, Wesley is a probablity, and Moochie Norris never had much hope anyway.

 

I would love for Barry to stay as well, but we know hes not starter material, and hes not going to see hardly any minutes alongside James or Head off the bench, so I cant see why the Rockets would bring him back, although I loved the energy and enthusiasm he brought to the team last season...