Donatas Motiejunas

[Tiago]

I saw Donatas play more than once and I didn't see him being much better than the last exhibitions of Pecherov (version, "I'm going to start fighting for rebounds") neither when he was in BC Kyiv. Donatas can shoot from 3, has better post up moves, is more athletic, but comparing Euro versions of both players...do you remember when Pecherov was in BC Kyiv?They are not so different...

[Joana]

Pecherov was always a jump-shooting face-up big who plays scared of contact. Even at the youth levels, playing against smaller players than him, he was reluctant to establish position down low. Like many other European bigs, he'd concede position very quickly and opt to concede the high ground and dive underneath the defender instead of posting up strong. And he barely played for BC Kyev, most of his playing time was in France.

Motiejunas is a very different player in terms of skill-set and approach to the game: he likes to go to the block, he knows how to establish position and he has a very developed low post offensive game. But I think the biggest difference between them is mental. At least when comparing them more or less at the same age.

[KWSN-Men]

NBA scouts always do this. I'll say it again, the real guy to watch is Giorgi Shermadini and he's barely even a blip on the radar of NBA teams.

[Tiago]

Pecherov was always a jump-shooting face-up big who plays scared of contact. Even at the youth levels, playing against smaller players than him, he was reluctant to establish position down low. Like many other European bigs, he'd concede position very quickly and opt to concede the high ground and dive underneath the defender instead of posting up strong. And he barely played for BC Kyev, most of his playing time was in France.

Motiejunas is a very different player in terms of skill-set and approach to the game: he likes to go to the block, he knows how to establish position and he has a very developed low post offensive game. But I think the biggest difference between them is mental. At least when comparing them more or less at the same age.

Pecherov played 15 games, 20 mpg, 11,5 ppg, 8 rpg in 2006 for BC Kyiv, you call this "barely played for BC Kyiv"?
I completely agree when you say that, the biggest difference between them is mental, but in my opinion, they'll be more similar in NBA than you think...or I'm making a bad evaluation of Donatas which is totally possible.

[Joana]

I think the difference in terms of skill-set is also quite remarkable. Of course, it can happen to Motiejunas what happened to Pecherov and become a bust. But I think right now it's too hard to predict; the kid is too young and I've never seen him playing versus tougher competition, even outside the NBA. Vis-a-vis playing their peers in youth tournaments, Motiejunas was always more impressive than Pecherov. But if he's going to bust, even before joining the NBA, he'll be a player more similar to Ante Tomic, for example, than Pecherov.

[Genjuro]

Pecherov wasn't that talented to start with (I was very surprised to see him in the first round of the draft). Motiejunas has amazing offensive potential, although right now he's really far from being anything close to a sure thing. Indeed, if I had to bet I would say he becomes a bust if he goes right away to the NBA. Offensively, the guy has struggled badly against strong teams in Lithuania this season, not being physically ready to compete (he can be pushed around like a baby); on defense he just sucks. I would like to see him in a better team where he's forced to play some defense and keeps developing physically and mentally.

And the Fu*cka comparision somebody throwed out there is not that bad, given their mobility, range, and especially that superb ability both share to finish around the basket with both hands.

[Genjuro]

But hey, Draftexpress sets all the rules these days.

I agree here.

[KWSN-Men]

But hey, Draftexpress sets all the rules these days.

I agree here.

Yeah, because they are arrogant know it alls.

[Jonathan Watters]

But hey, Draftexpress sets all the rules these days.

I agree here.

Yeah, because they are arrogant know it alls.

[mnWI]

But hey, Draftexpress sets all the rules these days.

I agree here.

Yeah, because they are arrogant know it alls.

Uh...

[revprodeji]

and they smell

[magee]

like roses?

[john2jer]

It's that damn east coast bias, I tell ya.