Not really. DMo was out of the rotation by playoff time. Patterson actually got playoff minutes. Also, if DMo had been a restricted FA like Patterson was this summer, do the Rockets or any team pay him $6m/yr for 3 years like the Raptors did with Patterson?
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As far as the second part of your post goes... Let's not ignore the facts. Talented 7 footers with potential (and by that I mean can walk and chew gum at the same time) more often than not get paid at least that much, if not more. I'm not into crazy hypotheticals so I'm not going to address that scenario you came up with. But, history has strong evidence proving what I said to be true. Darko got paid $7mil per by the Grizzlies in 07 after he had already established himself as a complete bust. Bynum got paid $24mil by the Cavs after destroying his body and gaining a reputation as a certified head case. Andris Biedrins got paid $9 mil per by the Warriors. The list goes on and on.
The difference is all these guys were, or at least were projected to be, rim protectors. NBA teams pay a premium for rim protection because it makes a big difference. Motiejunas might be nominally a "7-footer" but he isn't a rim protector-- he averages 0.7 shots blocked per 36 minutes and has short arms. He isn't much of a force with rebounds and fouls way too often. So, why pay a "7 footer premium" for a guy who doesn't do the things that you pay 7 footers a lot of money for doing? Here's a recent Zach Lowe article discussing the market for NBA big men: http://grantland.com/features/the-nbas-bigs-problem/ One point that Lowe makes is that teams are willing to pay for rim protection and for shooting when it comes to bigs. Those who offer neither, with some exceptions, are often stuck in a market limbo nowadays. Right now, Motiejunas doesn't look like a rim protector and hasn't proven himself as a shooter. So, his market value is likely not that high.
When the Rockets got DMo, he was obviously a project....Again I always thought he was boom or bust. Well, it's on. Donuts has reached the point, now, where folks are going to be shocked at the player he becomes....and he's going to do it as a Rocket. This year, he'll need some help manning the four and backing up Dwight. But this kid is well on his way to becoming the equivalent of a top 5 or 6 pick. Inside/out game and MUCH better D ...Think about those post up skills combined with 38-39% from Downtown...w/the court speed of Bigfoot. We need our PG which will cost Jones, but DMo is the answer longterm at the 4. From targeting to developing him....fabulous from Daryl on through our famous big man school...Headmaster, we know who you are...GREAT JOB!!! It might not seem like it now, but not getting Bosh was a blessing in disguise.
^^^^this. why does everyone call a player a bust if they're not an All-Star the minute they step on the court. Hakeem didn't win it all for 10 years. DMo is a fast 7 footer with outside range, and now he has some bulk. Hope he can block shots off the weak-side. If he adds d to his shooting game, look out.
The problem with D-mo was that he was light in the britches and he played too fast. I think he will be pretty good this season as long as DD doesn't ride his jock too hard.
I was just messing with you. I do feel DMo is a better player than PPat and has a lot more upside, but he still has a lot to prove in the NBA. Hopefully he will get his chance this year.
I don't have too much faith in Donuts. I think Patterson will be the better player. If he doesn't make the playoff rotation this season then we just need to give up on him. It shouldn't take that long.
DMo still has some upside. We'll see how things work out with him. Patterson may not have some of DMo's skills, but Patterson is a more useful player right now. This team, in particular, could have used a big whose shot actually needs to be defended from 15-feet out. DMo has really nice post moves, and this is probably his best attribute. But does he get to use these post moves that often for this team? Not really with Harden and Howard around.
I don't think people actually do forget that. How could they, as often as it is trotted out as an excuse?
