Is Donny Motiejunas really not ready or do we just have something against rookies?

The reason why the Rockets are not giving minutes to these rookies is because a) Daryl Morey wants the team to hang around .500 until he can acquire a very good PF (presumably Paul Millsap) and b) Morey wants to inflate Patrick Patterson's trade value as much as humanly possible, which doesn't happen if Patterson isn't getting plenty of minutes. Patterson will very likely be one of the players traded for Millsap (or perhaps some other very good/great PF).

 

Who is the younger: Motiejunas or Greg Smith?

 

Good folks start stupid threads 4 games into the season...?

 

I did notice D-Mo fell down a lot in garbage time. But still we don't have any bench players with more upside, so I'm not sure why he's being forced to ride the bench.

 

Because in preseason and the garbage time that D-Mo has been given PT he has looked lost on offense and defense quite often.

There's no doubt that skill wise Motiejunas has the talent/potential to be elite. However, he needs to get used to the pace of play here. Something that can and most likely will be developed in practice and d-league.

He also needs to become more familiar with the team's plays and style as well as add weight so he does not become a liability on defense.

If you noticed all the Rockets' pf's before him in the Morey era there are some similarities as to when they get PT:

1) They familiarize themselves with the offense/defense
2) They show hustle/good work ethic
3) They show an ability to rebound (especially important in McHale era)
4) They show that they will not be a liability on defense
5) They pay their dues on the bench

 

There is usually a very simple answer to all these "Why coach no play A over B?!" questions.

The coach is trying to win the game and thinks the guys he put out there gives him the best chance. You play to win the game.

 

Since when did his nickname become 'Donny'?

 

Hahaha, oh Dei. You are simply bad.

 

The whole team is young outside of Delfino.

 

But some players get better by actually playing. Playing the guy that might not give you the best opportunity to win today could help you develop a player that will help you win a lot more down the line. Not saying that is the case here but playing the players that will get you wins in the short term isn't always the best idea.

 

We have so many promising rookies and it seems like it's impossible to get them any playing time. One thing I am afraid of is at the trade deadline, teams won't have any interest in our rooks with lack of visibility of their skills. If Morey does make a move at trade deadline teams will only be interested in our core guys. (Harden-Asik-Parsons-Lin) I would like to keep this core together for at least a year to see what they can do.

 

So everyone who mocks OP is a LOF now? Even people who have been here since 2003?

 

^Someone who actually paid close attention DMo from preseason! If you remove #3, pre-requisits for PT not just for rookies but all non starting vets as well.

Please DMo, learn to play defense & rebound, and you will take a huge step in becoming an elite PF in the league.

 

Player "development" does not require putting unready players on the court and just let them run around losing games. The Wizards tried this for the last several years and what "development" have we seen out of the likes of McGee, Nick Young, Jordan Crawford, Etc.? Where have the Kings gotten with their youth development?

On the other hand, Larry Sanders from MIL got very little time for 2 seasons and is now beasting. Marcus Morris got no time last year and is now improved after the team made him earn his minutes.

 

Donuts are soft when they arrive. You have to give them some time to harden up.

 

Don't be ridiculous. Playing high minutes, shooting whenever you want while losing does wonders to a player's development.

Signed,
Tyreke Evans, Terrence Williams, Ricky Davis... that's all that comes to the top of my mind right now