[2016-2017] Donatas Motiejunas as a New Orleans Pelican

I think the main reason the Pels suck is due to some awful chemistry and even worst coaching. They just never seem to be all on the same page. If it was just between DMo and the rest of the team you could say that he hasn't been there long enough to develop that kind of chemistry, but it's not, it's an issue for the entire team. It seems like everyone is trying to do different things and they have little to no sense of common cause.

 

Maybe the simple answer is playing time and opportunity? TJones always struggled playing off the ball, he needs to bounce it, DMo doesn't....Dmo needs guards that are looking to pass, he plays a team oriented game.

New Orleans does not.

I wish he was putting up 15 and 7.

http://www.clutchfans.net/players/ryan_anderson/

13.8 and 5 is what we are getting. BTW DMo in his one season he was somewhat featured did about the same, little better rebounding, slightly less shooting for 1/19th the price.

DD

 

Why would he just hand it back to Davis?

DMo plays a team oriented game. He isn't there to pad the stats of some wannabe chemistry ruining hero-baller.
If the hand-off was best for the team he might do it, otherwise he'd use his outstanding passing skills to not register an assist, and then just box out for someone else.

 

Yeah and apart from that one year where everything worked out for him, he has clocked up 4 other years in the league at 5.6ppg (at sub 30% from 3 and 45% from the field - those are poor numbers for a supposed elite post up guy with a supposed great 3 point shot aren't they?)

Are you certain you don't have an irrational infatuation with a mediocre end of rotation guy???

 

I love the style he plays an unselfish guy, who plays the game the right way. I think given the right opportunity, he is a starting PF in this league.

But he has to find the right fit, just like anyone....and IMHO, that was here in Houston with D'Antoni...but that ship has sailed.

And I don't care if people don't like him or don't like that I do....life is to short to sweat the small stuff.

DD

 

He chose the Pelicans, you know. It's bereft of talent. It's on him to earn a role, like Jones has this year or Anderson did last year. Blaming his lack on consistency on both ends of the floor on the guards and coaches is incredibly weak. No team is going to feed him the ball. If that's what it takes for him to find the right fit then he'd better look at another league. As if a bunch of GMs around the league are thinking, "Hey, that guy that came off back surgery and couldn't hack it on the Pelicans. Let's sign him to a big contract!"

There's a reason why San Antonio and Utah didn't sign him to the vet minimum for a playoff push. They're definitely not going to come knocking after this.

 

I think DMo's ability to choose proper fit is not real good.

DD

 

I think DMo is a tease. He's got some tools but isn't assertive enough on the glass and tends to float in games. Consistently inconsistent has been his calling card.

 

fify

 

There is a new one DD. Before it was about rust, now its about fit. The good thing about the fit argument is, you can use it for any team he goes to. (Barring the rockets of course), but well done, it's an absolutely bulletproof excuse, and it shifts the blame away from his play as well.

 

Most of you guys aren't a good fit in this thread.

I'd say leave and go find another, but I think your ability to choose proper fit is not very good.

 

He is NOT a starting PF in this league. It is not about fit, he simply isn't good enough.

He was never a starter here, there is a reason Ryan Anderson got paid $18+ mill.

He is nowhere near as good at anything as his fanbois have trumpeted. And if anyone suggested he wasn't a potential all star we get labelled tjo fans (sure, that is logical)

 

That is a ridiculous statement, he was the starter PF here the season we finished with the #2 seed and was arguably the 2nd best player on the team. I don't know if he is starting PF anymore, he really hasn't gotten enough playing time since his injury, but he was an excellent prospect at one point in his career

 

The bottom line is that there is a baseline level of athleticism one needs to have to play well in the NBA. I just don't see it with Dmo right now.

Don't get me wrong , during his tenure here and obviously in 14-15 it was there . He had a combination of size , strength , and speed to be able to play given his skill level .

But now , even if his skill level and comfort within the game grows I don't think he can ever be an above average player . It's debatable whether or not he was for the 14-15 stretch with us . However , it could definitely be argued that he was on a trajectory to do so given his age , skill level , and athletic projection at the time .

Right now , despite his "bball IQ" he just doesn't have the tools to be an average defender. And unless his body improves that prognosis won't change .

I love(d) Dmo . I like smart players , I liked his skill , I liked his attitude , I like how we played as a team when he was on the floor . But , I'm thinking we dodged a bullet when we let him go .

Sure his production would be better in our system and playing with harden . Maybe dantoni could have utilized him very effectively on the offensive end. But I think he would be a defensive liability over even Ryan Anderson. And I just don't see the upside anymore . He may have a good year here or there ... Provide decent backup big production . But he's not going to be a valuable role player that you can count on for a top playoff team .

 

He was never a starter here for THIS year (in reply to the statement that he is a starting PF in this league).

In the 1 season he started, he started alongside Tarik Black - who also played well, but I would also maintain is not a starter in this league.
DMo certainly wasn't pegged as the starter that year either... he certainly stepped up and had an impressive few months (in much the same way many players step up and play well in a short stretch).
You say you could argue he was our 2nd best player in his career year, but yet one could mount an argument that he was the 2nd best PF on our team in that year (in fact there are thread/s dedicated to such rantings...)

The burden of the NBA is the grind. His career outside of that purple patch shows who he is. No?

 

Y no update? I am disappoint.

4 points, only 2 missed 3 pointers, 7 rebounds and did a bit of everything. Was most important player in the W

Rockets should of kept him.

 

Maybe he doesnt have that much of choice.

 

you got this annoying habit of not citing number of boxouts DMO made

 

Not at all, he FIT on the Rockets with their share the ball and cut mentality, he is primarily a Low post and PnR player....

Pretty obvious to anyone that understands the game really.

I am just happy he is healthy, even though so many here said...his back...his BACK....

DD

 

i don't think you understood what i said, I said the fit excuse would work for any team but the rockets, because he was a a fit.