I believe the potential is there .... But at this point , he has a long way to go to be a "force". At this time I believe he's a solid role player / backup worthy of minutes in the NBA. If he was on a team that didn't have a glut of players at the PF spot he'd probably be getting significantly more time on the court.
Here's the thing about D-Mo that makes me optimistic. He's shown flashes. Lots of people show flashes. Some people like Sanders don't even show flashes. But flashes don't mean anything on their own. D-Mo, from all reports, is a very hard worker. He has his mind on making a name for himself in the best league. He works hard in the summer, doesn't complain. When have you ever heard of someone requesting a d-league assignment? I'm fairly confident the guy will turn those flashes into consistent playing time. He needs to fine tune his 3pt shot and add strength. Learn the defensive lessons from last season and work hard in training camp. If he has really started working on his game already and makes it through training camp, I can see him surprising us and making the best case for the starting spot. Jones and Robinson can compete for the spot too, and hopefully that means all 3 of these guys are working extra hard this summer to win that spot.
Pretty sure I heard it also about current Spurs backup point guard. It's just mature of players, no one wants to sit on the bench and don't play. Oh I said 'no one', it's not true - Royce White does.
Name another 7 footer who can run from one side to another faster than his teammates? DMo has an AllStar potential, but it's almost impossible to make it happen in Rockets, because of all the talent in PF spot and limited minutes due to small lineups
Sorry folks, I don't see it. And I've never been wrong about a player's NBA potential. Refer to my: "PJ Tucker will be Charles Barkley-lite" posts.
I think it's possible he can become a legitimate starter, if not better, as he gets more comfortable in the NBA especially when it comes to positioning on the floor. That seems to be the x-factor - positioning - for young, unproven guys to get minutes. If you can't remember/don't know where to be on the floor on both ends, you aren't going to stay on the court. He also obviously needs to get stronger and work on rebounding, but I think offensively he is a rare talent.
Agreed that he needs to add muscle and work on his outside shot. As of right now, he doesn't have any one discernible strength or skill that's good enough to warrant a consistent rotation spot. Given that Robinson and Jones are our rebound/defense/hustle guys, we need D-Mo to serve as a stretch big that can nail the outside shot and put the ball in the basket. Adding muscle and lower leg strength will help him on both ends of the court; but for right now, the best thing for him to do is get his 3-pt shot up to at least 35% - which is a realistic goal.
I don't think he needs to bulk up, I think he needs to work on his lower body, and get better balance, his center of gravity is higher than most and it allows others to leverage him off the block. He needs a better base - get lower, and he will be fine. It is a little bit like a young Yao, he is just tall and doesn't have enough sand in his britches. DD
Not all players are ready to be a force when they are 22 years old. It's just going to take some time for D-Mo. The problem with D-Mo right now is that his body doesn't match his game. He doesn't have an NBA body to play big minutes in the paint. And In the paint is where D-Mo does his best work. If D-Mo could hit the three pointers consistently he could contribute as a stretch four, but that hasn't happened yet. I think D-Mo may turn into a solid NBA player, but it may not be until he is 25 or 26 years old. His body just needs time to grow. Some players come into the league with an NBA ready body, just look at T Jones. But D-Mo just isn't ready to bang in the paint. I've never thought that D-Mo was a sure bet to be a force in the NBA, but I do think in time he will be a solid rotation player.
Unfortunately (or maybe not), he's not really the kind of player you want to make into a post threat only. He should gain some weight, but not because he needs to be a big center. I'm not sure why some people think he can't shoot. He's got great form already. He'll be fine. Check the guy's twitter. While everyone else is on vacation still, he's been working out at TC. I don't think he even took a vacation. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Work work work <a href="http://t.co/1dvT58O5nn" title="http://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/336517866310492161/photo/1">twitter.com/DonatasMot/sta…</a></p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/336517866310492161">May 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Every day I wake up with same wish and desire to get better <a href="http://t.co/cfKuWuWDM3" title="http://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/335493495836000257/photo/1">twitter.com/DonatasMot/sta…</a></p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/335493495836000257">May 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Important to see miracles in the small things ! Good morning H town time to work !</p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/334679204463509504">May 15, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That work ethic will serve him well. He has natural skills that can be refined (shooting stroke, post moves, springiness). So many people forget how young he is and how little NBA experience he has. He's not ready to dominate next year, but I think he will continue to improve and become a weapon for this team.
Super crazy work ethic, 7 footer, skilled, quick... I just dont see how he's going to allow himself to fail at the game of basketball. It might take another year or two, but I still think he's going to be a player in this league, and a valuable asset once he becomes a productive player. He's got a few more years left on his contract so the Rockets need to keep working and stay patient with him next season.
Exactly. Would be a mistake to let him go so soon.... He works hard and wants to be the best player he can be. To just dismiss a player not used to NBA style after only a year of NBA exposure is just dumb. His trade value is his upside, but to have a 7 footer with his potential and versatility is golden. Keep him and see.
too soon to know if he'll be a force, a superstar, a role player, or discarded in the graveyard of unfulfilled promises. Bottom line is ITS TOO SOON. Too soon to write him off, too soon to declare him the best thing since Dirk, too soon to ship him away. He is a rookie. A big man rookie which means he needs at least another year to develop. 1) Elite Height 2) Way Above average offensive post-up moves 3) Gets in good defensive position (just not great at executing yet) 4) Great speed for a big man 5) Seems very determined and a hard worker (that is excatly how to improve on defense) 6) Good passer with the ability to get better 7) ONLY A ROOKIE. You dont give up on a guy like this...yet. Let him fight for a spot in training camp this year and give him some looks early on. I think he CAN surprise but be a little patient with him. Yes his "NBA Body" needs improvement but his offensive skill set and defensive willingness are too valuable to ignore. Its to be determined but no way do you write him off this early.
Problem is how D-Mo can balance gaining muscle while keeping that raw speed that makes his post moves so devastating. People keep talking about how extra weight would help him but it might take away one of his best weapons.
