I know this is way early, and I want you to realize that the key word here is potential, but... Sabonis was a bit taller than D-Mo, but both are/were very fluid European big men. You can say the comparison should stop there, but I don't think it does. D-Mo has shown range. He's shown flashes of being a great passer for a big man. He's got the motor and the versatility. The only thing he hasn't shown so far is great defense. Obviously D-Mo would have a long way to go to be anywhere near a Sabonis-type player. I think he has the work ethic to do it though. I don't know if he's ready to contribute to this team right now, though. Maybe he needs half the season in the D-League, but I love the potential this guy has. Between D-Mo and Jones, I like what we have in this year's rookie class. If Machado even becomes a lower-tier role player (which I think he will easily do), then you have to count this years crop of players as a great success, despite the No Flight White fiasco.
Soviet era Sabonis was on another planet, but even if D-Mo can approach Portland Sabonis, the PF position is looking brighter and brighter.
you compared him to only the most glorious soviet player of all time. all time! no pressure, dmo. I like his potential too.
I think D-Mo has a huge potencial, but compare him to Sabonis is an error. Sabonis was the best European player EVER. It's sad to see him at NBA because he was old and a with a lot of injuries. But I think D-Mo could be a taller mist of Dirk and Gasol
Sabonis was about 50-60 lbs heavier than Motiejunas in his NBA days, he was a huge man. BIGGER than Omer Asik
You gave good qualifications...way too early yet...but DMo has the highest upside of any of our rookies and probably in the very top tier of all rookies of 2012....but Sabonis was, well Sabonis. He was one of the greatest players of all time in his prime.
NBA fans only got to see old unathletc Sabonis, his best years were hidden behind the iron curtain. Plus the soviets poor care for their players really shortened his career. Onca upon a time he was athletic. In the NBA Sabonis averaged 18 and 11 per 36 mins, and thats with him being glued to the ground. If he had gotten to play in his prime he would have been one of the 10 greatest centers in history. Total package and the best passing center ever, bar none.
The only skillset of Donatas that can come close to Sabonis level is his passing, but even this will never make it... LOL this comparison make me cry. Dmo will never be a center, Even american food will not help him
I appreciate the optimism, but I think the homer goggles might be set to full blast on this one <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hhz-hqE6ZTY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The size thing IMO is hardly a big deal. The game has changed so much since then, and you don't need to be that big anymore to succeed in the NBA. Does it matter? I'll take either one.
LOL, Sabonis was one of the most dominant big men of all time and a complete freak of nature. He was already past his prime and riddled with injuries when he came to NBA. D-Mo has no chance at all.
Not sure if OP is serious, but I'll bite. Sabonis was a dominating power player with huge size, sublime passing and ridiculous range way before the stretch 4 existed in the NBA. It's a real tragedy that we never got to see him play before his knee injuries in the NBA. Even with less mobility than Kendrick Perkins, Sabonis's passing and clever play in the post was a thing of beauty. He was one guy who had the size to match up with Shaq, but with much more skill. DMo's ceiling is nowhere near Sabas-level. Completely different players, but I guess both being Lithuanian overrides anything basketball related, right?
