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x- wrote:He's playing for a Polish team.

Will come over next season to dominate f00ls in the NBA.

Jonas Valanciunas is a classic undeveloped energy big man: He works hard, hits the boards, draws raves off the court. ... Skill wise Valanciunas lacks ability in the post, a weakness that will be greater exaggerated when facing bigger opponents in the NBA.

...

Donatas Motiejunas on the other hand is the virtual opposite. He is a tremendous skill level in the post, has shown great shooting ability and can pass the ball. He is the natural offensive gene and can look like a young Pau Gasol. But he has a reputation of laziness, lack of heart and neglect on the defensive end and boards. This is someone who with the right mindset would be an all-star lock. But, perhaps like DeMarcus Cousins last year, you wonder if it’s worth going down the road due to mental flaws.

...

But here’s the kicker for me, in favor of Motiejunas: What if he does get it? Or what if the lazy reputation is unfounded – and defensive lapses in his European league was a coaching decision to preserve fouls and energy. What if he just matures and figures it out as some players like Chris Webber and Zach Randolph have done, even if it takes half a career? Now you might be passing on Pau Gasol

...

Taking hustle players high in a draft is low reward and hardly less risky. There’s been plenty of intangibles/effort over talent big men like Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill who’ve proven bad picks. ... I believe your body and your game matters more – and when a guy like Aldrich goes 0 for 2 on those, it’s hard to make it. Aldrich has only played 1 season mind you – But it doesn’t look promising, especially with his older age for a second year player.

That’s why I think Motiejunas is the right pick over Valanciunas. You take the more talented player and have faith in your franchise to condition him and worst case scenario, you probably get a scorer who makes it in the league. Whereas I can’t shake the image of Valanciunas as a skinny, unathletic 7 footer who doesn’t have anything NBA caliber standout to bring the table except effort. We’ll see if I’m proven wrong.

GrapeApe wrote:From what I have read he can score from anywhere.

There was some debate earlier concerning Montiejunas vs. Valanciunas.

I found this article that brought up some good points.

Of Intangibles vs Talent: Jonas Valanciunas vs Donatas Motiejunas

Here is the meat:

Jonas Valanciunas is a classic undeveloped energy big man: He works hard, hits the boards, draws raves off the court. ... Skill wise Valanciunas lacks ability in the post, a weakness that will be greater exaggerated when facing bigger opponents in the NBA.

...

Donatas Motiejunas on the other hand is the virtual opposite. He is a tremendous skill level in the post, has shown great shooting ability and can pass the ball. He is the natural offensive gene and can look like a young Pau Gasol. But he has a reputation of laziness, lack of heart and neglect on the defensive end and boards. This is someone who with the right mindset would be an all-star lock. But, perhaps like DeMarcus Cousins last year, you wonder if it’s worth going down the road due to mental flaws.

...

But here’s the kicker for me, in favor of Motiejunas: What if he does get it? Or what if the lazy reputation is unfounded – and defensive lapses in his European league was a coaching decision to preserve fouls and energy. What if he just matures and figures it out as some players like Chris Webber and Zach Randolph have done, even if it takes half a career? Now you might be passing on Pau Gasol

...

Taking hustle players high in a draft is low reward and hardly less risky. There’s been plenty of intangibles/effort over talent big men like Cole Aldrich and Jordan Hill who’ve proven bad picks. ... I believe your body and your game matters more – and when a guy like Aldrich goes 0 for 2 on those, it’s hard to make it. Aldrich has only played 1 season mind you – But it doesn’t look promising, especially with his older age for a second year player.

That’s why I think Motiejunas is the right pick over Valanciunas. You take the more talented player and have faith in your franchise to condition him and worst case scenario, you probably get a scorer who makes it in the league. Whereas I can’t shake the image of Valanciunas as a skinny, unathletic 7 footer who doesn’t have anything NBA caliber standout to bring the table except effort. We’ll see if I’m proven wrong.

On a slightly different note, why is it so tough to find good euroleague stats? But it does look like montie is averaging 12.5 points and 7.9 rebounds. Note also that he is playing on one of the worst teams in the league.

tisbee wrote:Rockets back-up plan for next yr.
Exercise option on Dalembert.
Use Knicks pick to draft one of Leonard or a Zeller and groom him for a yr.
Bring over Motie and acclimate him to the NBA and the US. He and Patterson get teamed up so they can develop chemistry.

Then in 2013 it's Motie and Patterson starting,Scola and Leonard/Zeller off bench.
Your 2013 Rockets;
Lowry,Lee,Parsons,Patterson,Motie

rocketseagles07 wrote:

tisbee wrote:Rockets back-up plan for next yr.
Exercise option on Dalembert.
Use Knicks pick to draft one of Leonard or a Zeller and groom him for a yr.
Bring over Motie and acclimate him to the NBA and the US. He and Patterson get teamed up so they can develop chemistry.

Then in 2013 it's Motie and Patterson starting,Scola and Leonard/Zeller off bench.
Your 2013 Rockets;
Lowry,Lee,Parsons,Patterson,Motie

Do you guys keep putting motie @ center because of his height>? Yes he's 7'0 but he's 215 POUNDS. He weighs 10 more pounds than Kyle Lowry. He is not starting at center for anyone in the NBA imo....

texasholdem wrote:Jason Smith of the Hornets looks to be a good comparison player.

clockwork wrote:

texasholdem wrote:Jason Smith of the Hornets looks to be a good comparison player.

x- wrote:He's gotten bigger (and better), but he still lacks the strength to play play center. Especially his lower body is still too weak.

I've had the chance to catch about 10 or so of Motiejunas games this season and I highly doubt he'll ever be a guy who excels playing center.

On offense he'd be fine and you'd be able to create some nice mismatches, but he'll never be a defensive anchor or much of a shotblocking/rebounding presence.
(And yes, Lithuanian fanboys, I know he set the Euroleague record for defensive rebounding, but let's not overlook the fact that he did so against the worst Euroleague team in quite some time.)

I think he'll be in the 7-9Reb range for his career, which is fine, but probably not what you'd want out of your center.

I'm genuinely excited about him as a long-term PF prospect, though.