DMo needs to run upright during the games, he tends to slouch which may lead back to his back problems.
D-Mo cleared for sprints. Also: "The Rockets remain uncertain about whether Motiejunas will be available for the season-opener Oct. 28, but have not ruled it out." http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterocke...-donatas-motiejunas-cleared-to-begin-sprints/
FWIW, he's been on the treadmill the last few days, when Dwight goes into practice. He shows it on Periscope. It hasn't really been half a year and he's been doing core work for a while now.
I hope he's ready at the start of the season even if its for a few minutes each half. The thought of the rookies Harrell and Dekker as back up 4s is downright scary and I pray they make me eat my words. In the Western Conference this season every game is going to count.
I doubt Dekker and Harrell play early in the season. Will Probably have a 3 man rotation at the 4/5 until Dmo returns with Dwight/Jones/Capela. Ariza will probably play some 4 as well when they go small.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">ICYMI Rockets Motiejunas cleared for sprints in back rehab; plus what to expect in preseason opener <a href="http://t.co/LN4bBgudhm">http://t.co/LN4bBgudhm</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonChron">@HoustonChron</a></p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/651409477586034688">October 6, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Looks like it's gonna be a fun morning ... <a href="http://t.co/LVwjWNmxZH">pic.twitter.com/LVwjWNmxZH</a></p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/651419594230333440">October 6, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
He has one of, if not the best post game in the league. He's also an underrated passer, was developing a good jumper before he went down with the back problem, and has held his own on defense against the likes of Randolph and Dirk. Just my opinion, but by the end of the season he will be considered a top 75 player, or among the top half of all starters in the league.
just curious but which players have better post up moves than DMO? Gasol? Dirk? Al Jefferson? Lebron (I guess he's best everything)... who else?
Top 75 is a pretty lofty expectation. What I'm looking for out of DMo this season is: durability, continued good 3pt shooting and better rebounding. Rebounding isn't as big an issue if he starts next to Dwight most of the season.
<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/e2Qez5w9V70/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Moving forward! <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets">@houstonrockets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pursuit?src=hash">#pursuit</a> <a href="http://t.co/OMSB7v73iP">pic.twitter.com/OMSB7v73iP</a></p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/651831894657662976">October 7, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's nice work. I like that drill. Although they should go even harder at him so he can get used to real NBA contact.