D-Mo has his weaknesses and he does demand minutes at times when he is struggling,but he is someone who needs time to develop. He showed improvement on defense when most of us least expected it. McHale should have given more minutes. I will be unhappy seeing him on another team.
Im pretty sure Donatas has no idea how much opportunity he really has had on the Rockets vs. what it might be with many other NBA teams. Very few teams will just gift him 30 minutes a night for development.... even tanking teams would have reasons for playing other guys ahead of him. I've always been a huge advocate for D-Mo but realized very early on last year that he probably wouldn't hit his stride until year 3 or 4 given his lack of physical maturity. Which is a tough position for NBA teams because they dont have 4 years to develop players, and often project big men never end up producing for the team that actually drafts and develops them early on which is a shame.(probably why Morey tends to shy away from drafting project bigs) The stretch 4 role was something that could have granted him immediate PT, but he didn't capitalize on the opportunity. If D-Mo truly is forcing his way out of Houston than I guess they have to move him if he's going to be a cancer otherwise.... However, the grass is certainly not greener, and while D-Mo is back playing in the Polish league in a few years making maybe a million Euros, he's going to be the one watching his countryman Valanciunas making 10mil + on his next contract and being one of the better 2 way bigs in the league. Best of luck to you D-Mo... you only have yourself to blame if you dont make it in the NBA. Hopefully they keep you and develop you further this year, but I highly doubt that will happen in the quick fix NBA world we see every day.
I'd say if the Rockets are trying to "assist D-Mo in finding a new team" that it doesn't bode well for his straight-up trade value, but I may be reading too much into that. Not surprised at all that they are shopping him though. I know he and Greg Smith's names were out there during the Asik talks. Also, Asik and D-Mo have the same agent. Tellem is pretty busy these days trying to find homes for some Rocket seven-footers.
Clutch, Why would they give up the tallest guy on the team? And him being so young? Is this just DMo's impatience? Why would the Rockets not be a little patient as he develops? You don't come across 7 foot, left handed players with his offensive skillset very often - as in never. Just makes no sense why they don't coach him up. DD
D-Mo is a better defender than Greg Smith, and has a more polished (not just more versatile) offensive game. Yet Greg Smith gets more playing time, even when D-Mo steps up when given opportunities. With Asik out with an injury, there is no reason that Donatas does not get 5 minutes minimum each game, especially when teams go small. The starters are not 100% most nights and play too minutes as is. Casspi and Garcia play too many minutes as well, especially during nights when they are as cold as polar ice. Both Motiejunas and Brewer deserve more usage on those nights.
He's basically the only thing in Milwaukee that is untouchable from what ive heard/read would love to have his talent/POTENTIAL tho...
This is disappointing. I was hoping Dmo would become the backup C in the absence of Asik. He played well in the game against Memphis, I don't understand why we aren't giving him the chance to assume the backup C role.
Defensively he is not there yet. His boxing out and rebounding positioning skills are also questionable. But his offense is way more fluid than Howard's.
Look out Harden and Howard...here I come !! I love Morey but the Rockets have not been known to develop many players lately, and the Rockets championship teams had several home grown guys on it, this team has one...Parsons... At some point you put a stake in the ground and let the chemistry grow - I hope we can do that soon. DD
DMo + Brewer for Dunleavy Jr. We then have replaced the missing Delfino role from last years team. Sign Camby in a month when he's ready to play. I'd love for D-mo to work out as a Rocket but if he is unhappy then it's best for team chemistry to cut ties. Sucks because I think the kid has a ton of potential in this league. It's going to "click" for him one day.
DMO and Brewer for Dunleavy sounds like a superb deal. LOVE Dunleavy and what he could bring to our team. I understand he isn't a great defender but neither is Garcia. Fransisco Garcia is not the shooter we need off the bench. MDII is.
Such a shame that our most gifted post player will due offensive damage elsewhere. Good luck to him. The Rockets will rue the day they decided to trade him. Especially when Tjones is unable to hit a shot during the playoffs when the game slows down.
I wish he could have realized that he shouldn't try to do too much to show how capable he is. I can see whenever he was given minutes, the kid just tries to prove he can do a lot. Maybe it's the agency, Tellem. Surrounded by wrong people, very likely.