[ClutchFans] Frustrated Motiejunas just wants to play

He releases too soon most of the time. I guess he's just too eager to roll after setting the pick. He just needs to be a bit more patient.

 

He makes some very fundamental mistakes. His picks are not good. It's not how often, it's the quality of the pick and roll execution. His picks themselves aren't the best, and he often rolls at the wrong moment or in the wrong direction.

He also rushes shots and passes - like it's a hot potato. And he fouls at a high rate. But he shot well enough that it should keep getting him PT.

He his his jumpers today which is great. But he is still raw in many ways. I think you have to go beyond what's in the box score. There's a lot of things that can have bigger impact.

I am glad he hit some 3's tonight though.

 

He just needs playing time for the game to slow down for him.

DD

 

Motiejunas is one of the worst defensive players in the NBA. He is very, very bad on that end of the court.

 

disagree , he's not a good defender , but he's definitely not the worst defender in the league , in fact, he's not even the worst defender on our team.

 

Hakeem constantly says make the move immediately after getting position, every session, every vid. He makes his move the moment he is set, be decisive, confident. Also, I like his fouls, he plays intense, and it's not like he is gonna play 30+ minutes a game.

 

By saying he "rushes" his shots, that doesn't mean that he shouldn't make his move immediately, it's saying that he's rushing the release which leads to him not hitting the shot as well. Nearly every time he makes a move he gets an open look, he needs to learn to calm down and make sure he nails the finish. Sometimes a split second on the release can be the difference between a make and a miss.

He's coming along, he just needs more playing time and more practice time.

 

^ I mostly agree with this. But honestly, I think it might be a little bit of a chicken/egg situation here. DMo might be one of those players who needs some consistent minutes to build his confidence up and thus enabling him to hit his shots. I think last night was a good example. He knocked more threes in one game than in whole season combined. I still believe DMo can become a 36-38% 3PT shooter some day, he just needs a consistent role in the rotation.

 

Well, that's because Aaron Brooks is on our team!!!

 

Dwight caught up to Donuts and started teaching him. I have a feeling that next year our PF spot will be as solid as it gets with Tjones and Donuts.

 

Thanks Clutch, seems like the team wants DMo around.

DD

 

Disagree with all of this. Dmo helps keep the offense flowing because he sets screens all over the court...on the ball...off the ball...he almost wills offensive movement. And his screens are fine. They aren't the best, but he sets fine screens. Your comments are of the non sensical variety. Nit picking..nagging like an old lady. The guy is playing better with more consistent minutes.

And as far as him rushing shots, he just has a quick release which is a good thing. There are a lot of guys that catch and get the ball up quick "like a hot potato". He just needs to make them more often...which should come with more time/practice/development.

 

The last few games he has been playing *a lot* better. He hasn't been getting consistent minutes - you look at the previous 10 games and there's not consistent minutes there. The difference is he looks less frustrated and more patient. He seems more at ease and more relaxed.

Rushing shots isn't about a quick more or release, it's when you shot before your body is in control. He was doing that but looks a lot better. He's shooting in rhythm. He's not treating the ball like a hot potato even off of rebounds he was doing that before.

His screens still leave a lot to be desire as well as some of the fouls he makes. He's playing better - but I guarantee you it's come in practice. Maybe he needed that D howard talk to get him on the same page and change his attitude - it looks a whole lot different than a week ago, that's for sure.

 

I'd rather D-Mo get the minutes that Garcia's been getting. Say what you will about D-Mo's defense, but at least he can put the ball in the basket.

 

I bet he will get better if he will get more playing time, because he needs more experience on the floor, especially when you are not a superstar, but just a guy who tries to find his spot in the rotation and the Rocket's are the perfect team for him. I joined here when DMO signedd just to support him as a Lithuanian, but now I gotta say Rox are probably my favourite team to watch, because of the way they are sharing the ball and every day someone can come up with big numbers in any statistic and I do believe D-Mo will find his spot here as a good backup who can contribute and learn to play both C and PF positions.

About his defence, it's improving and it will keep improving, playing one on one against Dwight is never easy and he will learn, the second he will cut his personal fouls he could be even a better future prospect than TJ, because TJ can only play PF, while D-Mo can play both C and PF wish I hope to see.


P.S Not really proud of that, but silently hoping McHale would still sit TJ against the game vs Kings as I still hope to see DMO starting and not getting into the foul trouble early and get rewarde by his teammates with some extra scoring tonight and maybe few post moves. .

 

This is going to sound like heresy, but I would rather keep DMo over TJones.

Even if you aren't seeing it in the numbers, it's obvious from watching the game that DMo is improving. His positional defense is better, and I trust that his shot will develop more than I do with Jones. His next step is to get his fouls down...a step Jones took 2 months ago.

Some of the guys the Rockets have been rumored to be interested in are Spencer Hawes and Jason Smith...i.e. jumpshooting big men. It would be much better for the Rockets if DMo developed into this, as we have him locked in for at least 2 more years.

 

I wouldn't go THAT far.

I seriously think Jones might be the answer in the PF position for the future Rockets. He got playing time and he delivered. I'm pretty high on that kid.

That being said, DMo showed us in the last few games some flashes of potential high-calibre PF/C tweener. His skillset is more unique to TJ's. If DMo could get his 3P% up to, say 35%, and also play defense like he did against Portland/OKC on a constanst basis - he'd be a serious threat. He has a ridiculous post-move arsenal, he's also pretty damn quick, has good motor and is hustling for the ball. He may not have the length to rebound very well or block shots - but that's because his body is that way, not because of lack of will to compete.

I say, let's keep them both and give them playing time.

 

Last 4 games looks great:

In average of 21min15sec - 9.3ppg (FG% - 53.6%; 3PT% - 44.4% (1 made per game); FT% - 50%), 6rpg (1.8off), 1ast and just 2TO (in 4 games, 3stl and 2blk enough to cover it);

His trade value increased now, and would be hard to give away him now. Especially when fans love him.

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