[Feigen] Motiejunas called back from RGV and cleared to play for Rockets

So many pundits said he was out for the year, shutting him down etc, he is back baby.

DD

 

This thread so far is filled with negativity about Donatas. F U haters.

I think he had 6 threes in his last game. One was after the whistle, so only 5 I guess...

 

He did great, shot 53% overall and like 46% from 3pt range and a handful of assists and rebounds.

DD

 

I would classify what Dmo did in the d league as great . Even if I just watch the highlights , he looks pretty slow and less athletic than last year . Now some of this is not being in game shape , unfortunately some of this is related to the fact that he had back surgery and it's gonna take a long time for him to gain back fluidity and athletisicm.

I would love to be proven wrong and hopefully after Dmo plays more games he gets more and more into last seasons form , but I truly worry about him on defense and on the glass . This is becuase I doubt his lateral quickness and his strength .

I'm a huge fan of Dmo , but back surgery is no joke and until I see it on an NBA court for 20 games in not gonna believe he is recovered.

His skills on the other hand .... I don't question and I think that even if he isn't as good defensively or in the post as last year he can still help the team with his shooting and passing , just less so than if he were healthy.

 

As a guy with a bad back from my time in the military, until you experience it you don't know what you're dealing with.

DMo is a unique player. He has a plus post up game, a plus defensive position game and he's got BBall IQ and knows how to play within a team construct.

Know he's not super athletic shot blocker or rebounder, but he's solid and has the potential to be 35% from 3PG and 70% FT. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a game changer for us... especially if Dwight goes.

All this and Harden said he's a key to their success from last year.

 

Yeah, his post game is extinct I'm afraid. Wasn't there in short stint with Rockets this season, didn't show it in D-League either. I'm worried. You know how he used to make like 3 moves to different directions while posting up, various pumpfakes... Didn't see any of that after the injury. There was an attempt once or twice, but very mechanical, seemed like he knew what move he will do before he was doing it, when it should be instinctive and adjustable to situation. Rebounding is probably worse than ever before. Free throw shooting hasn't improved at all. Still turning the ball a lot. Three point shooting is the only area he didn't become worse.

 

lol I'm not that negative . But I definitely don't think he will be as good as last year in those facets . However , if he is healthy at the end of the season that's a great sign for those parts of his game to recover and potentially improve during the offseason and going forward in his career

 

What do you mean you're not that negative? You don't agree that he looked much worse in all those areas during his 4 games stint with Vipers, compared to last season? I know it's to be expected this soon after the injury, but I wasn't prepared to see him struggle THIS much.

 

LMFBO I'm crying cuz it's true lol.

 

I remember those same pundits reported Dekker died during child birth over the summer.

 

Right, that is what i said.

DD

 

I like DMo... But i'm not at your level with him yet DD...

He still has a lot of work to do on the defensive end and also with his rebounding..

T_Man

 

What is my level?

I don't think he is a star, or will be, I just think he has a unique skillset that helps the ROCKETS get a lot better.

Probably a 14-7 guy in Houston but very efficient and makes our team better, a super role player.

DD

 

I don't agree that his potential is extinct . I'm not expecting him to be 100% this season . However, I think that with a full offseason or rehab and strengthing he can improve on what he did last season.

 

Motiejunas's back

 

So how long before the back gives again? I give it a month.

 

Everyone knows back issues are notoriously hard to predict a time table on. If you believed he'd be 100% this season your expectations were too high. He's still probably gonna go threw ups and downs for a awhile.

The timing on this call back from the vipers though only tells me there is a trade gonna happen and its not gonna be Dmo.

 

What kind of offers do you think we will match with his health in question? How much is a super role player 4/5 worth with a bad back. Do we low ball on a long contract to lock him in as part of the core, or go short term with the thought he will not be the same player again --> keeping the payroll down.

 

So is it confirmed that he faked the injury?