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Donatas Motiejunas...
what does ISH think?
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5Tblw5WggQ&feature=player_embedded[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqK-YXlsHs&feature=youtu.be[/url]
I am actually very surprised at how quick he looks. I'm more impressed now then I was when the trade was made. Went from aarrgghh to slightly optimistic.
Position Power Forward
Center
Height 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Weight 224 lb (102 kg)
League Italian League
Team Benetton Treviso
Born September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20) (age 20)
Kaunas, Lithuania
Nationality Lithuanian
Draft 1st round, 20th pick overall, 2011
Minnesota Timberwolves
Pro career 2007–present
Career history Žalgiris Kaunas (2007-2008)
Aisčiai-Atletas (2008-2009)
Benetton Treviso (2009-2011)
Houston Rockets (2011-present)
Awards Euroleague Youth Championship MVP (2007)
FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship MVP (2008)
LKL All-Star (2009)
Eurocup
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
I think the Raptors made a mistake not drafting him.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
I love this guy. I really wanted NY to get him. Legit 7 footer and skilled with athleticism.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
He doesn't look super athletic, but not bad. How does his game compare to Bargnani's?
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=MeLO MvP 15]I love this guy. I really wanted NY to get him. Legit 7 footer and skilled with athleticism.[/QUOTE]
he would have been good off the bench, but no way u take him ahead of shumpert.
Montiejunas does not fit any of knicks need.
he is a scorer who doesnt even know the meaning of defense and rebounding.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
elite shooter but need to see more. from what i know, he doesn't like contact and i typically don't like 7 footers that hang out mostly on the perimeter.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
Bust - BOOK IT
Remember who told you first
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=Clutch]Bust - BOOK IT
Remember who told you first[/QUOTE]
I doubt you said it first, but It's hard to be a bust when you're picked #20 overall
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
Solid young player, lets see how he adapts in NBA.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
He will be good offensively but he can't defend or rebound but if the Rockets can get Thabeet to become the defensive presence he was supposed to be then it won't be a problem.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
He's mostly a low post guy, who can shoot if he needs too.
Closer to Pau than Dirk IMO.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
Motiejunas is going to be a steal at #20. And to the idiots that call him a bust shutup.. He's he most accomplished European in this draft and he's a top 5 talent.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
Donatas and his bro ( cant spell his name ) both will be busts
Raptors will have the worst record next year
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=Clutch]Bust - BOOK IT
Remember who told you first[/QUOTE]
Get out of here calling a guy a bust at #20. Ridiculous. In a weak draft, at that.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]Get out of here calling a guy a bust at #20. Ridiculous. In a weak draft, at that.[/QUOTE]
Exactly. Even if all Motiejunas achieves is being solid bench player, he already wouldnt be a bust considering 20th pick in a weak draft. However, I wouldnt be surprised if he would become a decent starter. Fringe All-star? Overachievement.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
Donatas is amazing, seriously guys..
I don't know how many of you play basketball for real but he's not gonna be a bust. He played for Lithuania's u18 team when I played for Sweden's u18 team and we played against them.
Dude was amazing, he had 35 points in 20 minutes and only missed 2 shots all game long. He looks weak but he is really strong. And no, our NT didn't suck that much, we put Jeff Taylor from Vanderbilt on him, and Jeff is listed as an early 2nd round pick next year, so he ain't no scrub.. Donatas killed Jeff and every other guy we put on him, so smooth and so skilled!
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=millwad]Donatas is amazing, seriously guys..
[B]I don't know how many of you play basketball for real[/B] but he's not gonna be a bust. He played for Lithuania's u18 team when I played for Sweden's u18 team and we played against them.
Dude was amazing, he had 35 points in 20 minutes and only missed 2 shots all game long. He looks weak but he is really strong. And no, our NT didn't suck that much, we put Jeff Taylor from Vanderbilt on him, and Jeff is listed as an early 2nd round pick next year, so he ain't no scrub.. Donatas killed Jeff and every other guy we put on him, so smooth and so skilled![/QUOTE]
What does that have to do with anything?
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]What does that have to do with anything?[/QUOTE]
I've seen alot of posts about people on ISH calling Motiejunas weak or whatever, I can tell you this. I've played against both Motiejunas and Jonas Jerebko who plays for the Pistons and in all honesty I can say that Motiejunas is way stronger and more skilled than him, calling Motiejunas out and call him weak is absurd. People on this site can't barely dribble a ball and bash players for the most pathetic reasons..
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=millwad]I've seen alot of posts about people on ISH calling Motiejunas weak or whatever, I can tell you this. I've played against both Motiejunas and Jonas Jerebko who plays for the Pistons and in all honesty I can say that Motiejunas is way stronger and more skilled than him, calling Motiejunas out and call him weak is absurd. People on this site can't barely dribble a ball and bash players for the most pathetic reasons..[/QUOTE]
There are also people who do play basketball, a lot even, that don't know shit about evaluating players. I know this for a fact. That's why I was asking.
Also, you can be strong and still play soft. If you don't play aggressive or with fire, you're soft. It doesn't matter how physically strong you are if you don't use it.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
He's buried behind Marcus Morris, Jordan Hill, Luis Scola, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson, and Chuck Hayes on the depth chart. Even assuming Morris plays the 3, where's he going to get minutes?
I think he's got a lot of potential as a scoring big guy but cracking the Rockets' rotation will be a challenge in itself.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=millwad]Donatas is amazing, seriously guys..
I don't know how many of you play basketball for real but he's not gonna be a bust. He played for Lithuania's u18 team when I played for Sweden's u18 team and we played against them.
Dude was amazing, he had 35 points in 20 minutes and only missed 2 shots all game long. He looks weak but he is really strong. And no, our NT didn't suck that much, we put Jeff Taylor from Vanderbilt on him, and Jeff is listed as an early 2nd round pick next year, so he ain't no scrub.. Donatas killed Jeff and every other guy we put on him, so smooth and so skilled![/QUOTE]
Do you play professionally? Ever heard of Rudy Mbemba?
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=Grinder]Do you play professionally? Ever heard of Rudy Mbemba?[/QUOTE]
Yeah, we come from the same team in Stockholm and I have played against him plenty of times. He plays in the same league as I do know. I play in the highest league in Sweden and so does Rudy, he is good but he wasted his chance, he could have been drafted..
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]There are also people who do play basketball, a lot even, that don't know shit about evaluating players. I know this for a fact. That's why I was asking.
Also, you can be strong and still play soft. If you don't play aggressive or with fire, you're soft. It doesn't matter how physically strong you are if you don't use it.[/QUOTE]
That's absolutely true, but I think he will be something big. I have played against other really good players as well, like Detroit's Jonas Jerebko who was a starter before he got injured and Motiejunas was so without no doubt better than him. He is extremely talented, I hope his future is bright, eitherwise it would be a waste waste of talent.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=Grinder]He's buried behind Marcus Morris, Jordan Hill, Luis Scola, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson, and Chuck Hayes on the depth chart. Even assuming Morris plays the 3, where's he going to get minutes?
I think he's got a lot of potential as a scoring big guy but cracking the Rockets' rotation will be a challenge in itself.[/QUOTE]
i'm pretty sure scola and hill's days as rockets are numbered.
rockets are going to try morris out at the 3
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=Grinder]He's buried behind Marcus Morris, Jordan Hill, Luis Scola, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson, and Chuck Hayes on the depth chart. Even assuming Morris plays the 3, where's he going to get minutes?
I think he's got a lot of potential as a scoring big guy but cracking the Rockets' rotation will be a challenge in itself.[/QUOTE]
Well, Chuck is a free agent, and Hill kinda sucks so it might not be that hard.
C - Hill/Motiejunas/Thabeet
PF - Scola/Patterson
SF - Morris/Budinger/Parsons
I figure he could get away with playing the center position now that it's all but dead. But, even if Hayes is re-signed, I could still see Motiejunas getting minutes at center or power forward because Hayes played center last year. Jordan Hill and Thabeet need to improve A LOT.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=millwad]That's absolutely true, but I think he will be something big. I have played against other really good players as well, like Detroit's Jonas Jerebko who was a starter before he got injured and Motiejunas was so without no doubt better than him. He is extremely talented, I hope his future is bright, eitherwise it would be a waste waste of talent.[/QUOTE]
Straight up - is he lazy? Does he have stretches where his head isn't in the game?
That's all I'm concerned about.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]Straight up - is he lazy? Does he have stretches where his head isn't in the game?
That's all I'm concerned about.[/QUOTE]
yeah, the biggest knock on him is his desire/work ethic. hopefully being coached by McHale will change that.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]Straight up - is he lazy? Does he have stretches where his head isn't in the game?
That's all I'm concerned about.[/QUOTE]
That's the only thing I can think about leading to him being the 20th picked, he is definitely better than Jerebko who's a starter in the NBA and 3 years older than him. I've played against Jerebko a couple of times and he was guardable even if he busted everyone's ass. Motiejunas on the other hand, he was just too freaking good, scary good.. and him I faced with our nationalteam, he just busted everyone's ass and made everyone look like kids..
He will surprise many of those who thinks he'll be a bust if he puts work to his training.. I'm a Rocket fan myself and I'm absolutely thrilled about this trade.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
Yeah I dont think anyone disputes his talent and potential. Its the work ethic, attitude, character, motor. Those things people are questioning. I read too much where this dude disappears in games. Gets frustrated easily and checks out. Thats enough to turn someone away. So we'll see how he responds to the criticism. He's away from his comfort zone now. The media, coaches, players will be at him. Lets see how he handles it.
Darko was hyped up as the euro KG. And now he is nothing more than a servicable big man (backup center). You gotta be mentally and emotionally prepared to deliver. Hopefully this dude can do that in Houston or he might be on a plane ticket back home.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=GOBB]Yeah I dont think anyone disputes his talent and potential. Its the work ethic, attitude, character, motor. Those things people are questioning. I read too much where this dude disappears in games. Gets frustrated easily and checks out. Thats enough to turn someone away. So we'll see how he responds to the criticism. He's away from his comfort zone now. The media, coaches, players will be at him. Lets see how he handles it.
Darko was hyped up as the euro KG. And now he is nothing more than a servicable big man (backup center). You gotta be mentally and emotionally prepared to deliver. Hopefully this dude can do that in Houston or he might be on a plane ticket back home.[/QUOTE]
Motiejunas is far more talented, he plays for one of the best teams in Europe and he's faced better opponents than any other player in the draft..
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=millwad]Motiejunas is far more talented, he plays for one of the best teams in Europe and he's faced better opponents than any other player in the draft..[/QUOTE]
What does him being far more talented have to do with my point? :confusedshrug:
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
I just think the Rockets saw an opportunity to get Flynn and a guy they saw as being good enough to be a lottery pick for Brad Miller. No planning beyond just being another trade piece in their quest to trade for a top guy. He isn't even coming over right?
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=RoTM]I just think the Rockets saw an opportunity to get Flynn and a guy they saw as being good enough to be a lottery pick for Brad Miller. No planning beyond just being another trade piece in their quest to trade for a top guy. He isn't even coming over right?[/QUOTE]
They want donatas more then they want flynn
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]What does that have to do with anything?[/QUOTE]
Well people who haven't played organised basketball at at least a semi-high level tend to have no clue. This should be a new thread, but it's funny to see so many people convinced the know everything about basketball while most of their experience of the sport comes from watching a screen.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]Well, Chuck is a free agent, and Hill kinda sucks so it might not be that hard.
C - Hill/Motiejunas/Thabeet
PF - Scola/Patterson
SF - Morris/Budinger/Parsons
I figure he could get away with playing the center position now that it's all but dead. But, even if Hayes is re-signed, I could still see Motiejunas getting minutes at center or power forward because Hayes played center last year. Jordan Hill and Thabeet need to improve A LOT.[/QUOTE]
I think Morey will ship Lee/Scola/Picks/Hill for a decent center + some bad contract.
We should be rolling with:
C: New Center/Hayes/Thabeet
PF: Motie/Patterson
PF: Morris/Budinger/Squid
SG: Martin/Dragic/Squid
PG: Lowry/Dragic//Flynn
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=Nero Tulip]Well people who haven't played organised basketball at at least a semi-high level tend to have no clue. This should be a new thread, but it's funny to see so many people convinced the know everything about basketball while most of their experience of the sport comes from watching a screen.[/QUOTE]
And AGAIN, people that do play can not have a clue. That's why I'm saying bringing that up is somewhat irrelevant as it doesn't prove anything. Especially when you factor in that his criticisms are coming from scouts and people paid to evaluate talent, many of whom have played the game at a sem-high level.
Or am I off somewhere?
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
I thought Houston did an amazing job of picking him up for a later pick and the now useless Miller (and a future first, but knowing Morey it was prob highly protected). Houston should really try to flip one or two of their solid PFs into a center. No need for Scola now with Patterson, Motie and Marcus all being able to play PF.
I was really hoping that NY would've been able to flip Doulgas and cash for Flynn and #20 like had been rumored. Then coming out with Shumpert and Donatas (and Flynn), we would've done amazing.
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=MeLO MvP 15]I thought Houston did an amazing job of picking him up for a later pick and the now useless Miller (and a future first, but knowing Morey it was prob highly protected). Houston should really try to flip one or two of their solid PFs into a center. No need for Scola now with Patterson, Motie and Marcus all being able to play PF.
I was really hoping that NY would've been able to flip Doulgas and cash for Flynn and #20 like had been rumored. Then coming out with Shumpert and Donatas (and Flynn), we would've done amazing.[/QUOTE]
It was Memphis' 2013 first round pick (lotto protected until 2016)
So Morey traded a non-lotto first for Motie
Miller + Cash (bought back 38th pick for cash) for Flynn
Fantastic move
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Re: Donatas Motiejunas...
[QUOTE=fatboy11]And AGAIN, people that do play can not have a clue. That's why I'm saying bringing that up is somewhat irrelevant as it doesn't prove anything. Especially when you factor in that his criticisms are coming from scouts and people paid to evaluate talent, many of whom have played the game at a sem-high level.
Or am I off somewhere?[/QUOTE]
I agree. But people who play MIGHT have a clue, while those who don't almost never do. Anyway it's off topic.
The scouts are so often wrong, especially when it comes to foreign players, that I don't take this argument that seriously. You'd think most of them spend their days visiting the country instead of watching the games, and when they have to write something they invent whatever story sounds believable to make their boss happy.
Have you ever seen a draft report for a euro that DOESN'T look like this?
"Good shooting ability and flair, but it remains to be seen if he has the body to play defense in the NBA. He's a little small for his position. He needs to put on some weight, too".
I think there's a template somewhere, and these guys just change the names. I'm sure somewhere you can find a guy writing about how Schortsanitis needs to put on some weight.
Edit: to answer your point more directly, I don't disagree with you, it's just funny to see people so sure of themselves and saying things like "he'll be a bust" or "he's the next Olajuwon" when they have no idea.