It seems like opinions are split as to whether DMo will ever be really good or not. I think if we learned anything from watching Yao, we would remember that just because you think a guy is weak doesn't mean he doesn't have skills. A lot of times, just because Yao was adjusting to the NBA game and looked at times outmatched, people assumed that he was swimming and a complete bust. I for one feel that DMo is a great talent who in short order will adapt and contribute to the team in spite of his lack of physicality (by short order I mean in the second half of the season). Just because his game is not predicated completely on banging on the blocks doesn't mean he is lost, slow, lacking mobility, or not able to understand what is going on in the game. If anything because of his ability to post up, put the ball on the floor, make good passes, and hit the three from the corner he is just a trade or injury (which I do not hope for) away from making an impact.
I like D-Mo... I remember another skinny, 7 foot, soft, 3 point shooting big guy that did OK... Compare that to this Lithuanian Leviathan: I believe that D-Mo has something to prove, he has a hunger & a desire to succeed that will make him a great player one day. I'm not saying that he's the next Dirk, but both were skinny 7 ft Euro's, that could shoot as well as work in the post. Dirk only averaged 8 points his rookie season on 40% shooting, I think 20% on his 3's. D-Mo, if given the opportunity, has all the tools to be a 20+ scorer, stretch four & match-up nightmare.
Motiejunas definitely needs to get stronger. Guys were moving him around like it was nothing. He can't finish through contact right now and has a release point in the paint that may make his shot easier to block. I have wanted to see him get a taste of NBA level talent (not more DL talent he has played better than in the vast majority of his games) so he has a reference point for his workouts and going into the off season. I don't think going against his teammates, outside of Asik, is good enough. I wouldn't risk wins playing the guy, but I would put him in favorable lineups well before the 3 minute mark in sure wins. Players improve by playing. If the Rockets believe he can improve, then give him a chance to do so. It is a long shot to think he will be Nowitzki but the comparison is apt in the sense that folks were laughing at/trolling the Mavs and Dirk his rookie year with statements not too different than those tossed at Bustiejunas. In the end, it may come down to whether Motiejunas' ego can deal with the challenges as well as Nowitzki.
WTF? He's incredibly mobile for a 7-footer. Yes, he needs to get stronger, but he has a rare skillset and fantastic agility for his height.
I like how he's amphibious. If he can turn into a Novak-level 3-ball specialist, I'm cool with that. Anyway, I keep hoping he and TJ will turn into valuable stretch 4s for us, and validate the whole RGV concept.
I have to add few tips here. Before that Jazz game Motiejunas had 3 almost back to back games with Vipers. In the first game he looked OK physically wise, but looked prettty tired in the third game and than straight to Jazz game. That effected his physical look. Give him playing time after few off game days and he will look better physically. The guy just needs more strenght, more physicality. More size, muscules? Yes, but please only with time. If he'll hit the gym to make it all in one summer, that's not going to work. But it's funny to hear that he is not mobile. His first step and post up instincts are even in other level than Pau's and Dirk's. He might become even more mobile than Bosh (the comparison that i like the most, except that Dmo is less athletic and probably even faster). he just needs time and more playing time to udjust. He'll never shoot as Dirk, but I think he can be 30-35% 3p shooter and that will be enough to treat his perimeter game seriously. While his post game and face to face drives might really develop into elite level. And he might became an elite passer as well. His upside in offense is very intriguing in long run. Look at his passing since 1.03 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqK-YXlsHs
Dirk, even at a young age, though not big, was strong. Dirk always had good base and core strength. I don't remember him getting pushed around nearly as much as D-Mo does (although to be fair that may be due to D-Mo starting out on the block more Dirk did). Dirk used to be a bit better athlete than D-Mo, too. Dirk also always used to attack, while going towards the basket. D-Mo will often attack and go away from the basket at the last second to avoid contact. Dirk never did that. I also would question if D-Mo's desire to be great is quite at Dirk's level, although that's obviously very speculative. Dirk kinda had a mean-streak to him. D-Mo is feisty and has a good approach towards the game from what I can tell, but he appears to be a bit "cooler" than Dirk was. Again, I love D-Mo's potential and I haven't give up hope on him bulking up over the summer, but Dirk is just one of a kind.
What is his trade value? He is not a “baby Dirk” but there is value here --> How much? OR do we just hope for the best and wait till he matures?
The Dirk comparison falls apart when you look at how good Dirk was at 22. He was two years younger than D-Mo when he made his NBA debut.
That's our future starting 4. 2 more years and he'll be dominant, I'm convinced of it. Just keep working Dmo!
Patience. I think we all need to give our rookies and young players some slack. DMo in particular is assimilating to the NBA. He's gotten very little playing time in the big leagues, mainly because our team is overachieving. A lot of us thought this team would be lottery bound from the get go, but our players and coaches have done a decent job of building a fun and exciting team that has surprised many teams. I believe DMo has some excellent potential. He gets up and down the court very well, has range to 3pt line, displayed a variety of low-post moves in Dleaque and summer ball, has good court awareness and seems to really want it. I think he would be a great PNR option once he and the guards get use to playing with him. On the flip side, he gets pushed around like a string bean. As others have said, strengthening his core and base will help. Heck, he's only 22, with a summer of NBA-level training that should improve next season. For this year, I'd like to see him get some kind of consistent minutes, even its only 5-6 mins per game. He needs to gain a better understanding of his weaknesses to improve those portions of his game in the off-season. With that said, unless he shows McHale something more in practice that extra PT may be a pipe dream. In sum, we need to give DMo and our team some time to improve and jell. The Utah game was a great example of our potential. Yes, we shot well, but we dramatically cut turnovers which has been our Achilles heal. I'm truly enjoying this season and while its had its ups and downs, its been a fun ride so far!
This. A 7 footer needs to be careful on how he packs the weight on, to not lose mobility, and to not be more susceptible to back, knee and foot injuries (Yao!). I saw an interview with Rick Smits once (ok, he's 7'4", I know) where he said coaches always tried to put weight on him, but this did not help, he played better when he was lighter.
I agree with this. I'm not sure "packing on more pounds" is the solution to improving his game. That will come over time. One of his big assets is his QUICKNESS and he is in fact very mobile, unlike what a previous poster said. Who knows what could happen to his game if he simply 'packed on more weight"-=it might slow him down, render him less effective in the sense that his skill set is based on quick moves, quick shots, etc. (common thing that happens in the NFL--players assume they need to get bigger but they lose on flexibility/mobility/speed sometimes--ala Barwin). I think he just needs to play to get a feel for the NBA, not sit on the bench "bulking up." This video shows his game. Who else on the team gets right to it and posts up? No one right now. He gets the ball, does a quick fake and fires. That is his game, having observed him some in europe/d-league. He just has to find his rhythm, the range is there so he doesn't HAVE to muscle his way into the paint for the easy lay in, he has a nice hook shot, turn aroound shot, and jump shot. The bottom line is, the guy needs to play. Period.
For some reason I really like this guy, 7 footers with offence are hard to come by, I would only trade him in a combination for an all star player, IMO he has alot of potential.
