I really like what D-Mo brings to the table in combination with his size and mobility. I think he probably has the highest ceiling among our young players. I would put Jeremy lamb and Royce white as 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in term of the players with the highest upside.
When you say "star" I dont know if D-Mo is the guy I would pick to be in Addidas commercials or starting his own clothing line, but in terms of value, I think Donatas will have the highest value in the shortest term as long as he can walk and chew at the same time in his first few years in the league. Skilled 7-footers in the NBA. There isn't very many of them. Here's the list that I have, and secondly here's what their current salary is. Keep in mind, these are players at or around 7 foot tall, with high skill level(solid footwork, handle the basketball, free throws, passing, and just all around solid fundamentals). Also, Im going to list some 6'11" and 6'10" players that have a similar size and skillset for reference, and sample size- -Pau Gasol - 19M- -Chris Bosh- 17.5M- -Brook Lopez- 13M- -LaMarcus Aldridge- 13M- -Marc Gasol- 13.5M- -Tim Duncan-9.6M- -Dirk Nowitzki- 20.9M- -Chris Kaman-8- -Kevin Garnett-12.4M- -Andrea Bargnani-10M- -Channing Frye-6M- -Marcin Gortat-7.2M- -DeMarcus Cousins-3.8M-(soon to be max) -Al Horford- 12M- So now you have some new-comers in Vucevic, Motiejunas, and Zeller who already have the skillset to be considered highly skilled 7 footers. I dont really consider Valanciunas highly skilled just yet even despite the fact that he's European. The only problem is they have yet to be tested on an NBA level. Sure they might fail, and fall flat like a David Andersen, but most 7 footers with this kind of skillset end up doing pretty well in the NBA if they can at least hold their own down low. My money is on Donatas Motiejunas being the most likely to have a lengthly, valuable, and highly paid NBA career. If you are looking for the most likely to be in Addidas video's with the dude from the hangover then Id say Royce White. He seems to be the most flashy player who can be the most exciting player to watch, and most intruiging off the court. However, on the court, I have no idea how his skills will translate. He's a long shot for sure, but if he makes it then watch out for this guy.
The biggest different between Dmo and ones you listed is DMo hadnt played one NBA game. For every skilled/athletic big man that did well, there are more who went bust. - Michael Olowokandi #1 overall 1998 - Kwame Brown #1 overall 2001 - Greg Oden #1 overall 2007 (as of now) - Shawn Bradley #2 overall 1993 - Stromile Swift #2 overall 2000 - Darko Milicic #2 overall 2003, ahead of Carmelo, Bosh and Wade The bust list is really long (many Euro players). Some may not be highly skilled but they all showed lots of athletism and potential before their NBA career. Why do you suppose there aren't many skilled big men in the league? Skilled at pre-NBA is not a true indication of a player. I am not saying DMo wont become one at NBA level but everything is stacked against him at this point. Let him play a season or two before we pass the judgement on him.
I think your a little confused at what Im getting at. Im not talking bust vs. success. As far advanced fundamentals, skills, coaching, etc. goes I would not even think about putting any of these players on my list. Most of these players embodied athletic potential that never developed these fundamental skills to translate to the NBA. Donatas is miles ahead of any of these players except for Darko Milicic who had a very robust skillset early on, but never improved his game in the NBA. D-Mo has been a professional basketball player now for the better part of a decade. If you go back and watch the full games(not highlights) from Summer league you should pay attention to certain things like his footwork, placement on the court, and his passing to see that his skills are far more advanced then alot of the players he was going up against. He looked more like a 2nd or 3rd year players out there than a rookie. I think David Andersen is a great example of a highly skilled big man whose skills never translated in the NBA. If D-Mo's skills cannot translate in the NBA, then thats what he might be. Im not talking about height and potential, Im talking about skillset and fundamentally sound 7 footers. They are harder to find then you might think.
Its not about the media but more about the production on the court. To me, that's a star in my book. Being a star is not a popularity contest.
I sincerely hope your assessment about Dmo is on the money; higher % of success than failure. We will get a glimps of his NBA potential when the season begins...
