I have been sitting back trying to figure out why D-Mo is not in the D-league. The only thing i can come up with is maybe they too are filled at the 4 and 5 with the emergence of Macklin, Oelbrecht, Jones and Whiteside. Why else would he not be down there? If this is the case, then that leaves Donatas in a bad spot as far as his progression goes because it's obvious he is not going to break the rotation. He's definitely not getting much practice with the team with so many back to backs recently either. He and Royce are the only two Rockets with either no PT or very little PT. This also puts him with bad company. Two minutes here and maybe 5 minutes there aren't going to help. Is Motiejunas wasted on the Rockets?
My take is D-league is too easy for D-Mo, that he gain better experience with team. I remember McHale mentioning that D-Mo is super good during practice, and he was plan to play him in MN game, but
It seems what DMo lacks is physical. As in he gets pushed around a lot in the few games I've watched him. He seems to need to get stronger more than getting reps. The guy already has all the skills.
It's funny, though, because D-Mo's running of the floor is supposed to be one of his strengths. You would think that he would fit well with a run-and-gun team. His 3-pt shot, while in need of work, isn't terrible. Morris and Patterson are not long-term solutions. I wish the coaches would let him break into the rotation.
The theory being thrown around is that the rockets want to keep the trade value of ppat and morris so they keep playing them, and they dont want to show off dmo and t jones so people dont ask about them in trades. This has to be the reason. Ive watched every minute dmo has played in the summer league, preseason, d league, and his limited minutes in the big show; this guy is really good. He was at one time considered to be a top 5 pick, and there is a reason for this. His pnr play is the missing link to this offense, his post game will be very valuable when the offense stalls, and he does have 3 pt range. Not a great defender but has very good hands, which will lead to steals and some fast break opportunities. He is the perfect, perfect fit for this team. There is no way McHale is dumb enough to simply leave him on the bench for PPat and morris, the trade value thing is the only plausible explanation. Him not seeing 1 minute vs that d league Minnesota team while we were getting our asses kicked is mind boggling
I understand him not getting in the Rockets rotation. What i'm not getting is him not being in the D-league during these past few weeks. That's a huge chunk of practice and PT experience that he missed. OTOH, Terrence Jones is getting all of that in the Valley. Donatas should have been there with him this whole time, imo.
It is mind boggling. DMo proved his point in the DL. There is nothing more for him to prove there. Sure, he gets tossed around by stronger players, but he surely has earned some minutes. Get him out there in transition. Let him get his rookie, seasoning season out of the way. Morey says they need somebody, anybody, on this roster to step up his game. What not give DMo a shot?
He should definitely be getting minutes. We should be using a 10 man rotation - Lin - Bev Harden - Delfino Parsons - Morris Patpat - Dmo Asik - Smith TD situation is sad, he's certainly earned minutes for the rest of the season. I really hate how his minutes have just been given to Bev while Pat/Morris have never once been benched for DMo, though they have been benched for small ball a LOT.
He must be refusing to stand by the 3 pointer all the time and trying to post up from time to time in practice... and asking the ball a lot, taking shots from Harden. Does not fit with Harden ISO offense... Trade him!
I think DMo is overwhelmed by the big stage (and his body is not ready) - so what they are doing is letting him get used to playing on the big court - it may only be a couple of garbage minutes for him, but that takes pressure of and lets him acclimate. I don't think he will really contribute this year, since he needs to work a lot on his body, but by next season he should be comfortable on the floor.
I will refuse to make this judgement, till he gets to play relevant minutes on the floor for at least 5-7 games. That will come right after Trade Deadline imho. Both Morey and Mcfail said that he's doing great in practice... His numbers are old (222lb 7ft) and taken in Europe. He's 7ft without shoes (215cm), so in NBA he measures 7.1 or 2? How much does shoes add? He does not need to be 260lb either. That will hurt his speed a lot, and that's bad. Imho 240-45 max healthy weight is upper HARD limit. What he needs the most is lower body strength. Work on those legs :grin: 7.2 PF that runs like SG, good passer, great footwork, has post game and 3pt range can't get minutes on this championship team... I just refuse to believe he is worse then PP/Morris right now. To be worse then PP even with all his flaws right now is impossible for him. Trade deadline, please, come faster
If we elevate D-Mo into rotation, then PPat or Morris lose minutes which could cause them to lose trade value. This is one of the problems with having so many young players on the same team. I wouldn't be surprised to see D-Mo and TJones trade places in the near future. This just isn't the time for D-Mo and TJones. Next year they will probably get their shot. Right now PPat and Morris are getting their shot. No real hurry, the Rockets aren't going anywhere this season, and they are still in the beginning stages of rebuilding the team.
Curse you coachbadleee. I now want some donuts. I don't know why he isn't playing, but if I had to guess why I'd go with what Beard said - to showcase Pat/Morris for trades. As to why he's not in the NBDL, I don't know that one either. I also don't know why he didn't play yesterday. I just don't understand some of McHale's substitutions. I just keep telling myself that he knows the team better than I do. But yeah, I'm on the same page with you. I don't know WTF they're doing with him. I just hope he doesn't get too discouraged.
