Is he not? On this years numbers? Obviously last year was an abomination, but he was + defending this year. Why do we believe 1 player can change, and not another? Jones has all the physical tools to be a defensive beast, and played well the first few games in that regard didn't he?
He is what? 22 years old, 1 or 2 years younger than Donuts. Let's not declare him a bad defender yet. He has at least 3-5 years to work on his defense.
I am not forecasting his future. I am just talking about the present. And when Jones gets back he should start and D-Mo should back up the 4 and 5. IMHO. And I never said Jones was a bad defender. He is right around an average defender this season. Small sample size warning.
I think Jones will become a decent defender. DMo has the chance to become elite (or as close to elite as possible without providing any rim protection).
Nice little write-up about DMo's offensive development: http://houston.cbslocal.com/2014/12/02/how-donatas-montiejunas-became-an-offensive-weapon/
I do believe Asik two seasons ago was elite. And D-Mo can actually dunk the ball and is very quick for a seven footer.
Lol. Would be great if his last name was spelled correctly even once in an entire article also "Montiejunas will never be a great defensive player" is quite an assumption to make..
Except they completely flubbed the defense thing. I cannot adequately describe how wrong this is. For a 7 foot 270 pound player D-Mo is incredibly fast. No one else of his size is getting out on the break and getting uncontested shots at the rim. Plus D-Mo has excellent quickness and lateral movement for a man of his size. This is easily seen in his post play, which for a player just starting his third season in the NBA, is just remarkable. In a couple of years D-Mo could be the best post player in the NBA. And as the article pointed out the man can pass.
It is my belief that DMo just needs the minutes to get into rhythm. TJones injury was a blessing in disguise for the Rockets. You guys complain about DMo's stupid fouls but he's definitely improved this year. His yips have disappeared with the increase in playing time as he gets the feel for a real game.
DMo isn't "a good mover?" Aside from that cringeworthy word selection -- wut? I have a difficult time thinking of more mobile 7-footers.
Well he's not a "good mover" compared to tweener PF's, maybe that's what they were talking about....then again it also says that he'll never be a great defender so maybe it was written up by someone that doesn't do that great a job at talent evaluation.
The one thing I am certain of is that D-Mo will continue to play great defense. That offense thing? I am not so sure about.
ironic since he was heralded for his offensive potential and panned for his D… but I think his Offensive upside is still there…i'm anxious to see him take it to the next level and that starts with coaching staff recognizing that his strengths are in the post and not (from a scoring perspective) behind the 3 point line. The dude can also run the fast break like no other 7 footer I've seen.
good call. I watched the telecast with their announcers also (I avoid the Rocket announcers at all costs), and they kept saying things that were completely untrue -- especially about Donatas. Right before he started lighting Illyasova up in the post they said something like 'the bucks can put illyasova at the center against the Rockets since Donatas is not able to score in the post'. And they were saying these untrue things with such confidence.