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Motiejunas & Machado, Two new Rockets come in with confidence

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by IzakDavid13, Jul 10, 2012.

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IzakDavid13 Contributing Member

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http://www.foxsportshouston.com/07/...onfidence/landing_rockets.html?blockID=759024

Two new Rockets come in with confidence

By MoiseKapenda Bower (who is a Howard University educated Houston native who spent nearly 10 years with the Houston Chronicle covering prep, college and professional sports, covering a wide swath of postseason bowl games to the NCAA Tournament and the College World Series as well as all-star and postseason games and the World Series.)

HOUSTON – There was no misinterpreting Donatas Motiejunas' body language. Before opening his mouth and confirming what was already suspected via a string of responses teeming with bravado, Motiejunas projected a surprising amount of self-assuredness and self-awareness.

Even without standing erect, Motiejunas, reclined against the wall of the Toyota Center practice court adjacent to La Branch Street, towered over the media on Tuesday. He was disarmingly comfortable before his inquisitors, and as he discussed these initial preparations for his maiden foray into the NBA, Motiejunas' Lithuanian accent did little to hinder the ability to decipher his confidence. He appeared undeniably undaunted.

"If you're scared of wolf," Motiejunas said when asked whether he was ready to face the challenge of NBA competition, "don't go to the woods."

He delivered that line, best characterized as a Lithuanian proverb, with unmistakable cool, which is interesting because that description stands in stark contrast to how Rockets coach Kevin McHale later depicted Motiejunas, 21. Tuesday marked the first time Motiejunas practiced in advance of the Rockets' departure for Las Vegas and their NBA Summer League schedule, and even this workout was limited by his cranky back.

So while Motiejunas came off as polished and poised, traits burnished by his leading Asseco Prokom Gdynia to the Polish League championship, McHale saw Motiejunas' first practice steps differently.

"Motiejunas needs to play," McHale said. "It's really a shame that his back has been bothering him. He's got to play a lot (Wednesday) and the next day because … he's a high-energy guy who's prone to playing kind of fast. (If) he gets all this energy that first game in Vegas, those guys in the ninth row might have broken noses. He might throw that ball all over the place. He needs to play to get some of that out of him right now. I hope (Wednesday) he can get a couple good practices.

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#1 IzakDavid13, Jul 10, 2012

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PinoyRocket Member

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first..

#2 PinoyRocket, Jul 10, 2012
Garner Member

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Donatas Motiejunas the King Slayer

#3 Garner, Jul 10, 2012
conquistador#11 Member

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can someone officially weigh him already tired of the 222.

#4 conquistador#11, Jul 10, 2012
PinoyRocket Member

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these guys can play.

#5 PinoyRocket, Jul 10, 2012
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Lets go Dmo
If your scared of the wolfs ,dont go to the woods !

#6 pbnfamilia, Jul 10, 2012
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It will be amazing if our frontcourt is comprised of two 7 footers for a change, with Motiejunas and Bynum... or if we get Howard he definitely plays like he's a 7 footer. We should be able to clog the paint and grab rebounds much more than in the past, either way.

#7 OremLK, Jul 11, 2012

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OremLK said: ↑

It will be amazing if our frontcourt is comprised of two 7 footers for a change, with Motiejunas and Bynum... or if we get Howard he definitely plays like he's a 7 footer. We should be able to clog the paint and grab rebounds much more than in the past, either way.
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With Asik coming off the bench. That would be more quality height than we've had since Yao and Deke were on the roster.

#8 Raven, Jul 11, 2012
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Raven said: ↑

With Asik coming off the bench. That would be more quality height than we've had since Yao and Deke were on the roster.
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Good call.

IF it plays out that way and we get Bynum or Howard, plus Asik, without giving up Motiejunas... then one thing is for sure--a lack rebounding and blocks won't be a problem anymore.

Jury's out whether we'll have any decent perimeter players anymore though.

#9 OremLK, Jul 11, 2012
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Bynum and DMO manning the 4 and 5?! Sweeeeeeeet!

#10 infinitidoug, Jul 11, 2012
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elegant810 said: ↑

Neither will amount to anything. book it.
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Thanks for that brilliant piece of insight.

#11 FLASH21, Jul 11, 2012
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Hope his back feels better!

#12 Mariachi ROCKET, Jul 11, 2012
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Mariachi ROCKET said: ↑

Hope his back feels better!
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When I heard that he had tweeked his back, my first thought was "here we go again".

#13 MONON, Jul 11, 2012

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MONON said: ↑

When I heard that he had tweeked his back, my first thought was "here we go again".
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i think its more of a ploy to eliminate his trade value.

#14 mylilpony, Jul 11, 2012
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McHale is a jerk.

Hey, Kevin, you can't act like Jerry Sloan until you've actually been successful as a coach!

I swear this dude is going to ride our young guys right out of town.

I am excited about Motie though. Like his mobility and skill set.

#15 Dave_78, Jul 11, 2012
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I think Machado is Jasikevicius 2.0. He'd be a star in Europe where he could be hidden in a zone all the time. I fair about the NBA though.

#16 DonatasFanboy, Jul 11, 2012
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fear*

#17 DonatasFanboy, Jul 11, 2012
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mylilpony said: ↑

i think its more of a ploy to eliminate his trade value.
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Hmm interesting. Hope the Rockets have this dude on the team after all the trade dramas

#18 Hui, Jul 12, 2012

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Garner said: ↑

Donatas Motiejunas the King Slayer
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Makes sweet love to his sister?

#19 Fullcourt, Jul 12, 2012
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Maybe he'll be good enough for all to learn how to prononunce his first and last name although D-mo sounds cool :grin: There is always problem with European big men 'cuz of lack of brutal force, but there are always exceptions, hope he and Machado make us better

#20 landon7, Jul 12, 2012

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