Countdown to heartbreak (*Draft thread pt.II)

Post #141 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 6:21 pm

I think everyone's "A" option needs to be a trade. Put together the assets of the picks, the expiring and even Pekovic and make a move for a legit player. No more scraps.

Post #142 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:13 pm

I have mentioned this kid before, but our own MnWI does a nice write-up of him here

Nike Hoop Summit Day One (International Practices)

-Donatas Motiejunas is easily the best known and most talented prospect on the international squad. Standing at a legit 7 feet tall (without shoes), the Lithuanian big currently ranks second in his home country’s domestic league in scoring, and fourth in rebounding. He didn't take long to stand out early in the practice, the time usually reserved for developing skills and offensive concepts.

Motiejunas has every tool you could ask for on the offensive end. The footwork he displays in the low-post is nothing short of jaw-dropping for a player of his age, and you especially see it from the low-post. Motiejunas moves in a smooth and nimble fashion, and does a great job of selling the defender on his fakes. The sharpness and execution of these moves mirror what you'd normally see from a much older player, and it appears that he can create a shot in any given situation.

If the great scoring tools down low weren't enough, the Lithuania also shows a good number of skills away from the basket. Motiejunas shows a smooth shooting stroke, and hit a three pointer from NBA range in practice today. The international team runs frequent elbow pick and rolls, and he often gets to pop high for a 20-foot jumper, which he has shown excellent accuracy with over the past 2 days. The Lithuanian big man can do more than just shoot from mid-range, however. He seems very comfortable driving to his strong hand off the dribble, and in this setting, always finds a way to finish near the hoop.

With the plethora of offensive skills he shows on offense, a player like Motiejunas must learn to play as the focus of the defense. He has already responded to this quite well, and appears to have a great feel for the game. In the low post, he rarely forces anything, choosing to throw the ball to the open man if the defense doubles on the catch, and he always feels where the defense is coming from. On the drive, the big man always knows where the open shooter is, and has no trouble throwing the correct pass.

For all of his offensive skills, Motiejunas has a long ways to go to even become average on the defensive side of the ball. Though he shows the intelligence to know the pick and roll coverages and help defense schemes, he rarely shows the toughness to use this knowledge to his advantage. He was exposed a number of times in the post, where Milan Macvan would just back and him down, and easily finish over him. The first step to improved defense will be added strength. His frame should be able to take another 20 pounds without adversely affecting his mobility. Since he shows good toughness on the offensive end, he reasonably should be able to make an impact defensively with added muscle, but he must also show the desire to play on the other side of the ball as well. The fact that he sports such a poor wingspan, though—just 6-11, is clearly a hindrance.

Considering all his tools and current level of productivity overseas, it will be very interesting to see how he fares against the athletic front line of Team USA. The international guards traditionally tend to struggle to get the ball to the big men in this setting, so his reaction to not always being involved offensively could be interesting to watch as well. As a 1990 born player, Donatas Motiejunas will be eligible for the 2009 draft, and he seems to be the most likely candidate from this group to use a solid performance here as a springboard to the NBA draft-- though all signs now would point to another year playing overseas.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Nik ... ces--3169/

the_bruce · Post #143 » by **the_bruce** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:15 pm

There isn't a ton available imo. Kirk for expirings I'd do if the team doesn't go Evans.

Post #144 » by **Klomp** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:25 pm

Currently, the two websites have us picking

DX: James Harden (5), Al-Farouq-Aminu (18), Darren Collison (28), Josh Heytvelt (47), Dante Cunningham (48)
.Net: Brandon Jennings (5), Eric Maynor (18), Gani Lawal (28), Emir Preldzic (47), Stefon Jackson (48)

I would pee my pants if we had that DX first round.

Post #145 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:25 pm

You never know. Hopefully we are making the calls.

Post #146 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:26 pm

Klomp..I would pee your pants if we had the DX draft. Other than my fetish with a trade, that is the best case scenario (*if Harden is over 6'4)

Post #147 » by **Klomp** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:27 pm

revprodeji wrote:Klomp..I would pee your pants if we had the DX draft. Other than my fetish with a trade, that is the best case scenario (*if Harden is over 6'4)

Ewwww. The only problem I have is no center, but those three guys make up for no Thabeet.

the_bruce · Post #148 » by **the_bruce** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:45 pm

I could live with the dx mock, but I'd prefer...

Evans, Mullens, Collinson

Unless Harden tests out way more athletic than he looks\plays!

Post #149 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:47 pm

Pekovic plays center I hear..maybe resign S.Williams as a stop-gap defensive back up?

john2jer · Post #150 » by **john2jer** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:34 am

DX mock makes me giddy, the draft.net makes me want to slit my wrists.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #151 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 12:42 am

revprodeji wrote:Klomp..I would pee your pants if we had the DX draft. Other than my fetish with a trade, that is the best case scenario (*if Harden is over 6'4)

I'd be ecstatic too

big3_8_19_21 · Post #152 » by **big3_8_19_21** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:52 am

I just really want Sam Young with the Boston pick. I see him as the Josh Howard of this draft.

4ho5ive · Post #153 » by **4ho5ive** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:08 am

big3_8_19_21 wrote:I just really want Sam Young with the Boston pick. I see him as the Josh Howard of this draft.

He's the pot smoking, anti american of this draft class?

Devilzsidewalk · Post #154 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:23 am

I think he means we'll pass on him for Doody E.B.

big3_8_19_21 · Post #155 » by **big3_8_19_21** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:50 am

I think we can all agree that Dude E. was a greatest American Hero. He got this country through 9-11 single-handedly.

big3_8_19_21 · Post #156 » by **big3_8_19_21** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:51 am

Really, though, I think they are similar players and both will be selected late first because they stayed all 4 years of college.

deeney0 · Post #157 » by **deeney0** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:19 pm

I'm trying to work out a guard order of preference.

Rubio/Harden/Evans/Henderson/Lawson/DeRozan/Maynor/Curry/Teague/Collison/Flynn/Budinger

Hardest to fit into that are Jennings (after Henderson?), Holiday (After DeRozan?), and Warren (after Curry?).

big3_8_19_21 · Post #158 » by **big3_8_19_21** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 5:41 pm

Not bad ratings...but why is Flynn so low?

john2jer · Post #159 » by **john2jer** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:31 pm

I want to figure out a way to get both Evans and DeRozan and make that our back court of the future. Then put Brewer on some weight gainer and teach him how to shoot, and move him to the 3. Foye is our combo guard off the bench. We become big, long, athletic, and SportsCenter quality.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #160 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:37 pm

I want to trade Miller for a Hinrich/Ford/Calderon and find a way to draft Evans and Aminu.