Rockets sign Donatas Motiejunas to multi-year contract

7'1 PF. He has post moves. He demonstrated defensive rebounding this past season. He has range out to Euro three point line...but he played there too much in Europe. He moves well and could become an excellent roll man in pick and roll.

 

David Locke
@Lockedonsports
David Locke is the radio voice of the Utah Jazz and his podcasts can be found at Locked on Jazz on ITunes/ Salt Lake City, Utah · http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz

Rockets have signed 2011 Draft Pick Donatas Motiejunas - I had him near top of my '11 draft board in contrast to most experts - we will see

 

just to clarify, it's pronounced more-tear-you-nus, not moe-tee-YOU-nus.

(although considering that "Jasikevicius" was pronounced very much like "yes-it's-cabbages" by the NBA announcers, it could be worse)

 

donuts moretearanus

 

The question is do you think he'll wear # 11??? Should he or should he not for the respect of Yao?

 

Optimists want him to be like the next Dirk. Except not as soft and floppy. We'll see.

 

He's not Dirk. And if you listen to some interviews with McHale, he gets frustrated when they compare him to Dirk and talk about him shooting jump shots. He's a post player. I think Gasol is the more "if we have to compare him to a great player he likely never reaches, this is the most similar one" comparison.

 

I wonder if Darko, post-Pistons, would be a reasonable comp, at least production-wise.

 

I think you're right. He does more posting and playing close to the basket than Dirk. More like Gasol. But he also likes to camp out from the "outside" (for a big man) and spread the offense. Maybe we should just compare him to "the next Scola."

 

Just call him "Donuts", then everybody wins.

 

McHale was interviewed by Charlie P and Charlie asked him if he was going to be a stretch 4 that steps out to hit the jump shot and McHale got a little agitated. He responded by telling Charlie not to talk about him taking those shots or he'll start thinking he can make them.

Seemed pretty dead set that he is going to be a poster player. Maybe taking 10 footers, but doesn't seem to see him as a space for the floor guy whatsoever.

 

Those comments by McHale surprised me as I agree with McHale here. He tends to bail out defense by settling too often for lower percentage shots outside. He's 7'1 and can work to get a high percentage shot down low.

 

Jason Friedman ‏@RocketsJCF
D-Mo on if he has any concerns about making the transition to NBA ball: "If you're scared of wolves, don't go into the woods."

i love this guy

 

In before Morey trades Donuts to the Timberwolves...

 

I went through 8 pages of this thread and no one mentioned just what his contract would be.

I had to Google it myself. For shame, folks. For shame.

Four-year, $4.23 million deal, with the team holding options for the third and fourth years.

 

I think a realistic comparison could be Jason Smith, the Hornets PF who played very well this year.
Donatas likely needs to add 10-20 pounds to reach Smith's current level.
But overall, I think they are very similar players, and they share pretty much all strengths and weaknesses.

On the upside, Donatas is a much better passer than Smith ever was. It also took Smith 4 years in the league to develop a decent post game, I think Donatas' post game is comparable already. Donatas is also an inch or so taller.

Darko is a true center, there are some similarities, but not that much.
The boxscore will depend on how he's played, but Donatas is a much better shooter, and Darko is a shot blocker.
Darko is extremely long. I don't expect Donatas to ever protect the rim consistently.

Btw, Pau is extremely long as well, and a pretty good rim protector. He used to look like Durant when he was Donatas' age. Very long arms. Donatas looks like a penguin in comparison. Pau was also much better at Euro level at that age (Donatas is very good too, but Pau was dominant).

 

Just curious, anyone know what number he will be wearing?

 

I think that's his weight when the Rockets first drafted him in the 2011 draft... I think he weighs more now. Once he puts on the muscles and is strong enough to bang with the big men in the league, he can easily play center for this team. At 7 feet with a soft touch and incredibly talented with great footwork, he can dominate a lot of centers in the NBA.

 

A beast as I always expected.

 

I know it's only Summer League, but the skills are there. He's a versatile player and he will be in the league for a very long time. He's the real deal. Time will tell if he can continue to show consistent effort night in night out because the lack of effort was one of his projected weaknesses.