Yes, I watched the games. Your argument is basically that Motiejunas is a superstar who played at superstar level, regardless of what the data tells us, and you attempt to cherry picking some stats (BTW, Harden has higher net DWS because he played a ton more, regardless of the magical "anchor" points you want to give Motiejunas. I don't think you comprehend how much 11 incremental wins actually is in the NBA. That is basically MVP voting category. The Rockets were a very good team in 2014-2015, with or without Motiejunas by the numbers. Your argument that nobody would have replaced him is badly hobbled by the fact that he he was replaced and the replacements were good enough to get the team to the 2 seed and the WCFs
He was replaced by Dwight Howard. When Dwight Howard missed half the season, DMo stepped up. Had DMo been ineffective while Dwight was injured, who do you think would've replaced him? You can't win this argument.
He was also replaced by Clint Capela who played the best ball of his career during that time. Honestly these alternative timelinearguments are pretty stupid. Anything can happen in them. Who knows what happens if he sucked in 2014? Maybe the Rockets trade for Ryan Anderson and win the title. What we do know is the actual timeline in which Motiejunas contributed in the way that role players do, and if you measure his contributions, that's what it comes to.
Actually, DMo was pretty bad on defense when he was subbing at center that year. He was great on defense at PF. Why are you all going on and on about this? 2015 isn't relevant when he had a back injury that made him ineffective ever since. If you are so excited about 2015 performances, why aren't you lobbying to bring Josh Smith back?
In the 2014-2015 regular season, Capela was a rookie who played a grand total of 12 games and 90 minutes. Yep...he was a difference maker.
It wasn't his back that made him ineffective last year. It was the idiot coach who refused to give him consistent minutes and game plan to his strengths. 2015 is relevant unless you think his back injury was so severe that he'll never fully recover.
Clearly some people are huge DMO fans and think he is was a star in 2014, others vehemently disagrees. Nothing one side say will convince the other, DMO might have had 10 good games or 20, some stats might say less, some might say more... Dmo didn't play much in 2015-16 due to his back injury, that is a fact, unless one believes Morey, Mchale, Rockets and Dmo himself were lying while giving updates on his health throughout the season. Whether or not his ineffective performance when he did play was due to "idiot" coaching or due to Dmo, debatable... it could be his back, rust, confidence, mchale, teamates, mood whatever... blah... blah... blah... the fact is he performed at a poor to below-average level as he has in 2 of 3 the previous seasons, regardless of who or what is to blame. Anyways back to topic, Wekko368 as someone confident of DMO's abilities and talent, what do you think DMO's asking price SHOULD be and more pertinent for this thread, WILL be.
That is ridiculous. You're moving into delusional territory by claiming DMo was capable playing in 2016 as he did in 2015.
Emphasizing the words "vehement" and "huge homers". I am sure he is a hard worker but what has he done other than one season that people are either in love or dislike him that much? I mean he should be another marginal starter or bench player. Meh really. I am all for giving him another contract in the NBA, but let him be a star somewhere else. He needs to grow outside of his comfort zone, which is not really his comfort zone.
And then he earned his spot in the playoff rotation and was playing key minutes on a WCF team... how did he do that? By improving. In your alternate universe maybe he develops faster....who knows? Alternate universes are fickle. Pretty much anything is arguable.
Lol I missed this gem. This explains quite a bit. I'm glad I raised the Lin fan comparison, because this is Lin crazy logic.
Come on as the number 1 appointed DMo fan around these parts let's be realistic. 1. He is a role player - a guy that fits in and does his job on offense and defense well - a Mario Elie or Robert Horry in a different manner a guy who helps make the team better. 2. He played really well for most of the year - 2 years ago - this last year was a struggle as he was clearly not trusting his back, nor completely healthy until the end, and then the mental hurdles are the last thins to overcome. 3. The Rockets clearly value him or they would not have extended the QO - they would have done what they did with TJones. 4. The fact that he is a RFA limits his options - and the Rockets know that. DMo is up against a glass ceiling and the Rockets are not going to budge, they will offer a deal that is low on the UFA market but a fair price for a guy that is a RFA. 5. This all comes down to DMo - if he believes in himself he will sign the QO and become an UFA next year when even more money is available, if he is worried about his long term health he will sign a multi year deal lower than the going rate for bigs. 6. The only way number 5 doesn't happen is if someone signs him and the Rockets have to match - that is a risky move for the people trying to sign him and DMo - who may not want to go to a crappy team - even if it means more money - he is not Chandler Parsons. So, what does that mean? The Rockets like DMo - he is a quality role player, and more than likely he will be here at least 1 year on a cheap contract. The rest of this arguing is just nonsense. Take it from me, I know a lot about that. DD
When it comes to Dmo it's always the coaches fault and never his fault. Right on brother. You win the player HOMERISM award.
It was very relevant to the Pistons who medical staff didn't think he will ever fully recover. The main reason why they reneged on the trade. But hey give the man a max contract worth 28 million a year, he deserves it.
Not true. He was actually surprisingly good until he got exhausted by February/March. In fact I remember he was even heading some rim protection advanced stats during some months.
