Donatas Motiejunas Highlights vs. Spurs 10/14/2012

I think at this point it's safe to say that, as far as 5 goes:

Asik > Jones > 2Pat > Onatas > Smith

 

Not at 5.


It's Asik then PPat then Smith right now.

 

Thing is, I think "immovability" and "space occupation" are more required for the 5 than anything else and Jones is both less "movable" and occupies more space than 2Pat is/does. 2Pat simply can't make anybody go where they don't want to go the way Jones does. I really wouldn't be surprised at all if McHale ends up chucking Jones at the 5 a few games into the regular season.

 

You really think Jones is stronger with a lower/stronger base than PPat??

Sorry, I don't.

 

Millsap at center?

I guess we'll just disagree on Horford. He always looks much better on defense matched up vs. power forwards and smaller centers, as opposed to true centers.

Aldridge is another extremely long Gasol/Garnett/Bosh type. Take away his length, and I don't see how you are making that argument. And tbh, he's better at 4 defensively as it is, which is why Portland went after Hibbert.

Re other examples... I hope we understand each other. The argument has always been a defensive one. So Amar'e / Jefferson examples don't make much sense to me. Amar'e brings little defense no matter where you put him. And while Al Jefferson doesn't bring much of it either, he brings much less at PF, which makes him a center in my eyes. Considering he's been played nearly exclusively at 5 so far in his career, his coaches seem to see him that way as well.

 

Millsap was the primary backup to both Boozer and Okur. He wasn't the starting PF until Boozer left and the Jazz acquired Al Jefferson. He does a good job at both positions.

We'll just have to disagree about DMo's potential to swing between the 4 and 5. He's clearly a natural 4, but I think the Rockets expect him to bulk up and will deal with the defensive issues. He must develop physically, even if he intends to play PF full time. With his skills, he needs to be a mismatch at center at least on the Channing Frye/Raef Lafrentz level.

 

At no point was Millsap a primary backup to Okur. Boozer used to play 5, and then they had some scrubs.
Millsap has played some emergency minutes at 5 vs. small lineups over the years, in case of injuries, but he's way too small defensively to be a 5.

Anyway, we are off topic.
Obviously Motiejunas will have to develop a lot, but I'll agree to disagree on your Pau Gasol/Bosh/Aldridge/KG expectations.