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Rockets.com: Carmine Pirone

Fearless. One word that describes Rockets rookie guard Luther Head. With less than six seconds to go in the game Wednesday night in Oakland and the Rockets on the verge of completing a second improbable comeback for the second time in three games, it was Head, not Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming, who launched the Rockets into overtime against the Warriors and an eventual win.

Head, inbounding the ball from the far sideline, couldn’t find a covered-up McGrady, so he went to Yao Ming, who was able to catch the pass around the three-point line. Far from his comfort zone, Yao found Head who had squeezed his way into a hole in the Golden State perimeter defense. Without hesitation, he hoisted his fourth three-point attempt of the night, despite missing badly on the first three. The rest, as they say, was history as the Rockets went on to claim a 111-105 victory in Oakland.

Forgive Head if he doesn’t shy away from a big shot at the end of the game. Don’t hold it against him if he doesn’t seem intimidated by NBA veterans that he encounters night in and night out. You see, the spotlight is nothing new to Head. Although he is in his first season with the Rockets, he is no stranger to big games on a national stage.

Head starred for four seasons at the University of Illinois on one of the bigger stages in college basketball. Head left Illinois as the all-time leader in NCAA tournament games played (14) and points scored (162). In his final college game, Head scored 21 points in the National Championship game against North Carolina. Head was instrumental in getting the Illini to that Championship Game in 2005 as he drained six threes in the National Semi-Final against Louisville. It’s probably fair to say that more people were watching those games then say, a Rockets vs. Bobcats match-up in the middle of an 82-game regular season. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the 6’3” guard from Chicago is full of confidence, even for a rookie. He credits that big game experience he got at Illinois.

“It’s helped,” Head said. “Just playing in the big games that I’ve played in and doing as well as we did last year. It definitely helped me to stay confident and be a confident player.”

Head will never be a primary weapon in the Rockets’ arsenal this season, but he won’t shy away from opportunities to contribute, either.

“I’ve always had the confidence that I can score the ball,” Head said. “If I get the opportunity, if Tracy or Yao is getting doubled, I am confident enough to make the shot.”

Surpassing all expectations to date, Head has found himself coming off the bench and starting. In 18 games for the Rockets entering Thursday’s tilt with the Sonics, Head is averaging over nine points a game in over 26 minutes of action. Drafted 24th overall in June’s entry draft, Head wasn’t expected to play a lot of minutes as the Rockets roster was laden with veteran experience entering training camp this season. Due to injuries, but also great production from Head, the rookie has found himself on the court more than he expected.

“I wasn’t planning on starting those games I did, but you can’t say I’m a set starter, anything can happen,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen. I just have to work hard and stay with the team.”

Head has seen time at both guard positions in his 18 games played, starting seven of those contests. At Illinois, Head played solely at the shooting guard position. When he took the court this season as the Rockets’ quarterback on offense, it marked the first time that Head had played point guard since high school. Head remains ready for any scenario that puts him in the game, at any position.

“Wherever they put me in the game is fine,” Head said. “I just try not to make mistakes. I just try to keep everything going, and if I’m at the point, I just try to keep everything going offensively.”

“You see the guys on TV scoring big points, but until you get in the game and see the difference between college and the NBA, you really have no idea. Athleticism, speed, these guys are so long, it’s a bigger league and a more athletic league.”

Head has filled in nicely in a backcourt that has needed a bolt of energy at times this season. His 45 percent shooting from behind the arc ranks eighth in the NBA and is exactly what the Rockets need from a player who is not going to be asked to create offense, like a Tracy McGrady. Even with his early success, there have been a few surprises for the sharp-shooting Head.

“The talent level,” Head said of any surprises this year. “You see the guys on TV scoring big points, but until you get in the game and see the difference between college and the NBA, you really have no idea. Athleticism, speed, these guys are so long, it’s a bigger league and a more athletic league.”

Head also hasn’t avoided the typical rookie hazing. While the days of physical humiliation have gone by the wayside, even an instant contributor like Head has to pay some NBA dues.

“I have to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ when it is someone’s birthday,” Head said. “I also have to get up every morning and pass out the practice gear when we’re on the road. Just some little things, but it’s fun, it’s not a problem.”

Head celebrated his 23rd birthday late in November. Needless to say, Head was not serenaded by any of the Rockets’ veterans.

“I don’t get those privileges,” Head added. “They were probably going to make me sing to myself, if anything.”

It would be easy for someone with Head’s already impressive basketball resume to grow complacent with his game. Not so for the Rockets’ rookie, whose best trait might be humility when talking about things he needs to improve in his game.

“Everything,” Head said without hesitation. “This is a tough league and if you want to be successful in this league, you have to get better every day.”

It’s hard to imagine Head improving drastically in the coming weeks, months, and years of what should be a solid NBA career, but it should be fun to watch.