Here's a podcast with Martin Artigas about D-Mo. Didnt see it posted on here. Some people on here might find it interesting. http://houston.cbslocal.com/2012/05/20/martin-artigas-motiejunas-could-be-good-for-rockets/
Today couch of Lithuanian national team has anounced final list of 19 candidates. So far that has 5 players in PF position: Linas Kleiza (Toronto Raptors) Paulius Jankūnas (Žalgiris Kaunas) Darius Songaila (Blancos de Rueda Valladolid) Tadas Klimavičius (Žalgiris Kaunas) Donatas Motiejūnas (Prokom Gdynia) Though, as I feared, there are serious obstacles in DMo's road to national team. And it's not because of "tough competition" in PF spot. Donatas would easily make the team as 3rd PF atleast, because Songaila had really uninspiring season in Euroleague, was cut from his Euroleague team and finished the season playing for Spanish league outsiders. Klimavičius played for Lithuanian squad in 2010 WC and wasn't a decent contributor (mostly played as a center). But the problem is his contract uncertainty. As it was mentioned before, he can't sign with Rockets till July 1st. If he doesn't have a contract he can't get insurance, meaning in case of injury he might not be able to sign with Rockets at all. And Donatas is not willing to take that risk. Well, it's his choice to join NT training camp or not. DMo said that he could join the squad on 2nd of July after the signing with Rockets or after qualification tournament if Lithuania will make it to the Olympics, but Kemzūra (Head couch of Lithuanian national team) said: "It would be unfair cut somebody from the team after the qualification just to make room for Motiejūnas". Well there's still hope as our basketball federation is negotiating with insurance companies on this issue, though it's really difficult to make an insurance deal for an upcoming contact, additionally the one that would also satisfy both DMo and the Rockets. It would be really sad if Motiejūnas won't be able to play for Lithuania this year, but I guess you guys won't disapointed that much as he will probably play in Summer league which will be valuable experience for him too.
I am torn on Motiejunas making his NT. It would be great for him from a prestige standpoint, and one cannot deny that the level of competition would be the next best thing to the NBA. On the other hand being coached by the Rocket's staff for an extra 3 months might be more valuable to his continued development. And thank you dobro for the audio. Cautious optimism was the message that I took away from it. But having followed Motiejunas for almost a year, I am impressed at the rate he has improved his game and his physical stature. Range out to the 3 point line, the handles and ability to put the ball on the floor like a SF, low block skills, yada yada yada. We will see soon, but Motie appears to have the drive to make it in the NBA.
Well, it would be better to ask you because someone who's seen him for the first time would probably just give me a knee jerk response.
I don't see how it's good for us. I think Olympic play would serve him better than any summer league play he might do over the summer.
Well I think international play is way different. And he'd be stuck on the bench anyway. Getting to work with the coaching staff and play NBA rules ball will help him a lot I think. Morris missed out a lot not being able to work with mchale and the staff until december.
It's very simple. The summer is more than summer league games. The Rockets would design training specifically to his needs, maybe even go to a Big Man camp or just get trained by McHale himself -- "keep you butt down" . Plus, you can work out with weights much more effectively in the off-season than during the Olympic prelims and games. Who knows want the NT would do for him. They certainly wouldn't allow him much rest -- as he's still in the Finals. Would they give him the equivalent of private training/coaching. Would they give him a lot of minutes in games? It's comes down to private training specific to his personal growth and scheduled to give him rest his 1st NBA season versus team training. question: if you were the coach of the team who drafts Anthony Davis, would you want him to join the USA Olympic squad. I doubt I would, but at least Davis hasn't played since March -- Motie is still playing.
Huh? He wouldn't sit his ass on the bench in NT. More or less I'd expect our NT to play through Donatas & Jonas, especially D-Mo. The coach thought of actually keeping a spot for him in final roster, but "that wouldn't be fair" (dumb excuse), so how is that an indication of him being a roster filler? Also, Summer League, frankly, sucks dick, he would gain much more by playing in NT and Olympic Games than in that piece of garbage. Obviously, this is a case of lolamerica, so I don't judge you for thinking that Olympic Games < Summer League.
It has nothing to do with the quality of play in the summer league, which is obviously worse than the Olympics. It has to do with the nba game being completely different (not better) than the international game. Plus we want him healthy. Wouldn't kleiza be ahead of him? I don't think he's that far up the depth chart, lithuania has a very good team. My point is while the competition will be great for the Olympics, I don't think it's in the Rockets best interest for him to play.
Well, he must improve it then. Cuz the last thing I wanna see is a 7-footer taking the worst possible shot in basketball, the 20 foot two-point jumper. He either shoots the 3 or he gets his 7-foot frame in the paint and uses his size. No shooting 20 foot two-pointers.
Again a reminder that game 2 of the Finals will start in 30 minutes. Live Stream: http://195.245.213.199/Ch0001 (if that one doesn't work this one should: http://195.245.213.199/Ch0006) Probably won't be able to catch it myself.
There sure is: 5pts 1/5 2pt | 0/1 3pt | 3/4 ft 4rebs in 9 mins. The game didn't go DMo's way so far, missed some easy shots. You can always check live stats here: http://live.basket.iskiereczka.pl/mecz.html?game_id=8375
