2011 NBA Draft Thread II (New Poll & Mock Draft Results)

[StephNYKurry]

I am on record way back wanting Shelby....I think the kid has some Rodney Stuckey/D Wade in his game. I actually want 3 guys, in this order, Singleton, Shelby, Faried. But I keep hearing this Julyan Stone kid's name. He is a 2nd round pick material for sure, but I keep hearing his name!

This game is now played on the perimeter, we need perimeter defenders. We also need TOUGH MINDED KIDS.....TOUGH! Shelby, Singleton, Faried and this Stone kid fit that bill....Stone guards 3 positions, is a true point guard in the sense he thinks pass first.

I've not seen this Shelby kid

[BasicBall]

I am on record way back wanting Shelby....I think the kid has some Rodney Stuckey/D Wade in his game. I actually want 3 guys, in this order, Singleton, Shelby, Faried. But I keep hearing this Julyan Stone kid's name. He is a 2nd round pick material for sure, but I keep hearing his name!

This game is now played on the perimeter, we need perimeter defenders. We also need TOUGH MINDED KIDS.....TOUGH! Shelby, Singleton, Faried and this Stone kid fit that bill....Stone guards 3 positions, is a true point guard in the sense he thinks pass first.

I've not seen this Shelby kid

Oh you a wise guy huh? Selby, is that better PUNK?

[StephNYKurry]

I am on record way back wanting Shelby....I think the kid has some Rodney Stuckey/D Wade in his game. I actually want 3 guys, in this order, Singleton, Shelby, Faried. But I keep hearing this Julyan Stone kid's name. He is a 2nd round pick material for sure, but I keep hearing his name!

This game is now played on the perimeter, we need perimeter defenders. We also need TOUGH MINDED KIDS.....TOUGH! Shelby, Singleton, Faried and this Stone kid fit that bill....Stone guards 3 positions, is a true point guard in the sense he thinks pass first.

I've not seen this Shelby kid

Oh you a wise guy huh? Selby, is that better PUNK?

[BasicBall]

I still don't want that Donatas kid, I smell soft, slow, intimidated by Melo and Amare. Remember we gotta be careful who we select. We have 3 alpha dogs now in Billups, Amare and Melo...draft someone who cant hack it and we will be set back, NY has to draft a kid with swag, that is why I want Selby, Singleton or Faried. Can't have a kid on this squad who will shrink like Landry did after the Melo deal.

[Rasho Brezec]

LOL Donatas is not Pau Gasol. He's Lampe/Zarko/Korolev.

Let's be honest, you haven't watched any of those guys play.

[QueenzAllDay]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqK-YXlsHs[/youtube]

I want!

Big man who shoots thr33z!?!?

I think we can all agree that Montie's style of play is the last thing we're looking for out of our bigs. If there is anything I cant stand in my big men its softness, bad rebounding, laziness on defense, and basically every weakness Montie has. I am not a fan of his at all, and theres a reason he is dropping...

BUT

If hes there we might have to pick him. Just watching that video you can tell he has too much talent to pass on, at least offensively. Hes fluid. Solid athlete. Very skilled. Good passer. Much more than just a 3 point shooter. In fact he works more in the post. Hes more Pau Gasol than Bargnani on offense, but yea on defense/boards hes like Bargs. We're talkin about the 17th pick tho, so if we can get a 7'0 talent like that at 17 you take him, no matter how unpopular it might be. He is no Frederic Weizz.

Grab Donatas at #17. Buy a 2nd and grab the bruising Greg Smith. 2 solid front court additions who compliment each other. I could roll with that draft. No guard help but our front court is even more of a need than our back court. We need everything.

I was in my Mike D zone when I saw those threes. But I love the fact this man can create offense on his own. I read on Draft X-press that he can't establish the post up and his other weakness (mostly on the defensive side) but this guy would be perfect coming off the bench when Amar'e and Melo are getting a break. Him & Douglas would be amazing!

After the progress we saw with Mozgov. I would love to take him and let him work with Herb. He could be the steal of the draft.

[Fury]

He's not so much soft. He's arrogant though.

[Pharmcat]

:D I still don't want that Donatas kid, I smell soft, slow, intimidated by Melo and Amare. Remember we gotta be careful who we select. We have 3 alpha dogs now in Billups, Amare and Melo...draft someone who cant hack it and we will be set back, NY has to draft a kid with swag, that is why I want Selby, Singleton or Faried. Can't have a kid on this squad who will shrink like Landry did after the Melo deal.

its about garnering assets for future trade

[taj2133]

MOTIEJUNAS, DONATAS
Team: Benetton Bwin
Height: 2.13
Born: 20 September, 1990
Nationality: Lithuania
Position: Center
Number: 11

2010-2011 STATS
PPG: 10.9
RPG: 5.6
APG: 0.8
SPG: 0.9
2P%: 50.4%
3P%: 15.4%
FT%: 62%
2010-2011 STATISTICS
Accumulated and Averages
G GS Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls Rkg
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
Totals 16 16 437:57 174 59/117 4/26 44/71 32 57 89 12 14 35 10 3 50 71 175
Averages 16 16 27:22 10.9 50.4% 15.4% 62% 2 3.6 5.6 0.8 0.9 2.2 0.6 0.2 3.1 4.4 10.9
Final
# Game Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls Rkg
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
15 vs Cajasol Sevilla 23:24 4 2/5 0/1 0/2 4 4 1 1 1 5 4 2
16 vs Cedevita Zagreb 25:29 10 3/9 0/2 4/4 3 5 8 3 3 4 8
2 Totals 48:53 14 5/14 0/3 4/6 3 9 12 1 0 4 1 0 8 8 10
Average 24:26 7 35.7% 0% 66.6% 1.5 4.5 6 0.5 0 2 0.5 0 4 4 5
Quarter Final
# Game Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls Rkg
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
13 at BG Goettingen 26:39 9 2/7 0/3 5/8 3 5 8 2 1 3 3 1 4 6 10
14 vs BG Goettingen 17:16 4 2/3 0/1 1 1 1 5 3
2 Totals 43:55 13 4/10 0/4 5/8 3 6 9 2 1 4 3 1 9 9 10
Average 21:57 6.5 40% 0% 62.5% 1.5 3 4.5 1 0.5 2 1.5 0.5 4.5 4.5 5
Last 16
# Game Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls Rkg
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
7 vs Alba Berlin 30:38 9 2/10 0/3 5/8 2 6 8 3 3 2 6 7
8 at Cajasol Sevilla 19:26 7 3/4 1/4 1 1 2 1 1 3 4 4 4
9 at Panellinios BC 35:32 10 4/7 0/1 2/3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 11
10 vs Panellinios BC 33:40 11 4/8 0/1 3/3 1 5 6 1 3 4 1 3 4 14
11 at Alba Berlin 35:26 13 2/6 1/2 6/10 3 6 9 1 2 8 20
12 vs Cajasol Sevilla 23:55 12 4/5 0/1 4/4 1 5 6 1 1 3 1 1 2 17
6 Totals 178:37 62 19/40 1/8 21/32 10 23 33 4 8 14 4 1 13 29 73
Average 29:46 10.3 47.5% 12.5% 65.6% 1.7 3.8 5.5 0.7 1.3 2.3 0.7 0.2 2.2 4.8 12.2
Regular Season
# Game Min Pts 2FG
M-A
3FG
M-A
FT
M-A
Rebounds As St To Bl Fouls Rkg
O D T Fv Ag Cm Rv
1 vs Chorale Roanne 30:24 11 4/8 0/2 3/6 1 6 7 3 1 3 6 14
2 at PAOK BC 21:41 13 3/5 1/2 4/6 2 5 7 2 1 4 4 14
3 at Asefa Estudiantes 29:08 9 4/5 0/1 1/3 4 2 6 5 3 2 5
4 vs Asefa Estudiantes 26:41 19 5/12 2/3 3/4 3 3 6 1 1 1 1 3 4 17
5 at Chorale Roanne 31:02 17 7/12 3/3 2 2 4 1 3 1 3 4 16
6 vs PAOK BC 27:36 16 8/11 0/3 0/3 4 1 5 3 1 1 4 5 16
6 Totals 166:32 85 31/53 3/11 14/25 16 19 35 5 5 13 2 1 20 25 82
Average 27:45 14.2 58.4% 27.3% 56% 2.7 3.2 5.8 0.8 0.8 2.2 0.3 0.2 3.3 4.2 13.7
CAREER NOTES
made his debut with Zalgiris-Sabonio mokykla Kaunas and BC Zalgiris Kaunas juniors during the 2005-06 season…played there till the 2007-08 championship, also making his debut with BC Zalgiris Kaunas main team…signed for the 2008-09 season by Aisciai Kaunas…moved to Italy for the 2009-10 season, signed by Benetton Basket Treviso...he's still playing there.
MISCELLANEOUS
named the 2011 Eurocup Rising Star...won the 2007-08 Lithuanian National Championship with BC Zalgiris Kaunas...won the 2008 Lithuanian National Cup with BC Zalgiris Kaunas...won the 2008 Baltic League with BC Zalgiris Kaunas...played the 2009 Lithuanian All Star Game…played the 2009 Nike Hoops Summit with the World Team…has been member of the Lithuanian U-16, U-18, U-19 and U-20 National Team…won the silver medal at the 2008 European U-18 Championship… won the silver medal at the 2008 European U-20 Championship…played at the 2006 U-16, 2007 U-18 and 2009 U-20 European Championships…played at the 2009 World U-19 Championship...member of the Lithuanian National Team.
ULEB CUP CAREER HIGHS
Index rating 31 BENETTON BASKET vs. BILBAO BASKET 1/26/2010
Points 19 BENETTON BASKET vs. ASEFA ESTUDIANTES 12/7/2010
Offensive rebounds 5 PANELLINIOS BC vs. BENETTON BASKET 2/9/2010
Defensive rebounds 6 ALBA BERLIN vs. BENETTON BASKET 2/22/2011
Total rebounds 9 ALBA BERLIN vs. BENETTON BASKET 2/22/2011
Assists 3 BENETTON BASKET vs. PAOK 12/21/2010
Steals 4 BENETTON BASKET vs. BILBAO BASKET 1/26/2010
Blocks 3 BG GOETTINGEN vs. BENETTON BASKET 3/23/2011
Minutes 35 ALBA BERLIN vs. BENETTON BASKET 2/22/2011
CAREER STATS
Euroleague
Season Team G Pts Avg 2FG
M-A
% 3FG
M-A
% FT
M-A
% Reb St As Bl
2007-08 Zalgiris 3 4 1.3 1 / 3 33.3 0 / 2 0 2 / 2 100 8 0 0 0
TOTALS 3 4 1.3 1 / 3 33.3 0 / 2 0 2 / 2 100 8 0 0 0
AVERAGES 3 4 1.3 1 / 3 33.3 0 / 2 0 2 / 2 100 2.7 0 0 0
Eurocup
Season Team G Pts Avg 2FG
M-A
% 3FG
M-A
% FT
M-A
% Reb St As Bl
2009-10 Benetton Basket 12 91 7.6 30 / 57 52.6 5 / 7 71.4 16 / 36 44.4 40 14 7 1
TOTALS 12 91 7.6 30 / 57 52.6 5 / 7 71.4 16 / 36 44.4 40 14 7 1
AVERAGES 12 91 7.6 30 / 57 52.6 5 / 7 71.4 16 / 36 44.4 3.3 1.2 0.6 0.1
Other Competition
Season Team G Pts Avg 2FG
M-A % 3FG
M-A % FT
M-A % Reb St As Bl
2008/09 Aisciai 22 438 19.9 132/260 50.8 20/45 44.4 114/151 75.5 154 23 31 17
2009/10 Benetton 33 324 9.8 107/188 56.9 12/34 35.3 74/102 72.5 171 41 22 9
Contact us copyright EUROLEAGUE PROPERTIES NV
http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/ulebcu ... ?pcode=LCZ

[blueNorange]

the donatas hate is eerily similiar to the gallinari hate

see what i'm doing here, i'm stirring the pot

[Pharmcat]

is there one pick at 17 every1 would be happy with?

jimmer?

[SelbyCobra]

I like the idea of Motiejunas because his skill level is so high end and that presents extreme value at the 17th pick in a relatively weak draft, but the red flags are also concerning. The lack of motor/drive on the court at times is damning, but with a prospect of his status and age I think you have to take that risk if he's willing to come over to the states and start an NBA career.

Here's an interview with him from 3 months ago, and you can kind of see the critiques of his personality/game manifest itself in his answers. Of course some of that may be lost or augmented in translation, so take this for what it's worth.

http://www.heinnews.com/nba/one-on-one- ... otiejunas/

heinnews: The team seems to be playing better in the Eurocup than the Serie A. What’s happening at home?

Motiejunas: I don’t know. I think the level in Eurocup is much higher than the Italian league. Maybe it’s like the coach said. We players are having mental problems at home. We play here much better than back home. It’s not usual that in our championship we lose on the road games that are supposed to be ours. We just kind of give up. But (in the Eurocup) we really show the character and really have good defense and win.



heinnews: The team is in the quarterfinals (where they will face Göttingen) with just one step to the Eurocup Finals on your home court. How great would that be?

Motiejunas: I think every team wants to play the Final Four at home. The final four is the best. The gym is probably gonna be full and the support is going to be wild and crazy. And it will be tougher for the opposing teams. So it’s a big advantage. But we’ll see how it will be. First of all we have to get there.



heinnews: Take us back to summer of 2009 when you were deciding where you would play. Did you think you needed to leave Lithuania to grow on your own?

Motiejunas: I decided with my parents. It was a really hard decision. Benetton promised me everything and gave me everything. Every manager supported me like my father. So that makes all the other things easier. The main factor was that they gave me what I could not get from other teams in Europe – that much support from all the management in Benetton like I get now. And I’m really happy with that.



heinnews: Playing time was a major issue you said in August 2009 before the move.

Motiejunas: For my father it was the most important thing – and for me also – that I play. It doesn’t matter how much they promise or what’s in the contract. It matters to my parents and me that I play. That was the main factor. If I play a **** game then I only play three minutes. It’s my problem. But if I play good, my parents don’t want me to sit on the bench.



heinnews: How has your development been off the court being away from home?

Motiejunas: The first year was a little bit difficult. I didn’t really have an important place in the team. But I was still working really hard. Some games I didn’t really feel like playing. So it was a really tough year. But the first year you just have to give your best and push yourself and not give up. This year when I came back to Treviso I felt like I was coming back home.



heinnews: Where have you improved most in last 1.5 seasons and where do you need the most work?

Motiejunas: It’s not for me to say. The last period I’m not really happy with my game but it’s important that the team is winning. That’s it. For me it’s important that we win something because the last couple years I give my best and work really hard to improve and sometimes I go on the court and don’t feel like I am playing. It’s a pretty tough situation for me but I know I can get through it with some hard work. That’s all you need.



heinnews: You told heinnews at the U20 European Championship in 2009 that you were not prepared for NBA draft: “In Europe, the players are monsters. But in the NBA they are giants. Not with these muscles, I cannot play.” What are your thoughts on hearing that now – about 1.5 years ago?

Motiejunas: In Rhodes the coaches put me in some different positions. I was playing a five and four. Here the coach said to me you will not be a five. You will never be as strong as other players. But at the four you have all the chances. You’re quick enough. You have everything. You’re pretty athletic. So you can only be four. I think in my position I can play some back-to-the-basket.



heinnews: There is a real possibility that the NBA will have a lockout next season. What are your thoughts on that?

Motiejunas: We’ll see. The season is not finished and we’ll see what’s going to happen. If there’s going to be a lockout, if I get drafted - it’s the same to me. If I go to the draft, or if I don’t go to the draft. One more year in Europe is not going to be bad for me.



heinnews: You also said you like the European team game and aren’t the biggest fan of the one-man NBA game. With the improving money in European basketball and the team game, why don’t you just stay in Europe and not play in the NBA?

Motiejunas: My goal is to improve as much as I can. Wherever I improve that’s most important. I want to have someone work with me all the time. Passing the ball to me in practice, or giving me advice what moves I should use. For me it’s important to step forward as a player right now. That’s the most important thing for me.



heinnews: You are ranked between seventh and 10th in NBA mock drafts for 2011. How much attention do you pay to talk of the NBA Draft?

Motiejunas: I never watch any of that. I’m not the kind of guy to watch that. Which pick I’m going to be isn’t important to me. Whenever I am drafted, time will show that I have a will to give everything he has and to improve. I am not a guy who just wants to get drafted. There are a lot of examples of players in the top five and they never really reached their goals. And there are loads of perfect examples of players who were not drafted and are playing the NBA right now. Important is how much you love basketball and how much you want to improve.



heinnews: Looking over scouting reports of you there have been comparisons to Pau Gasol and Andrea Bargnani. Which is closest and why?

Motiejunas: Everybody is talking how I will be like this player or this player or how I will turn out. I’m going to be different from all of them. The old school taught me a lot of things. When I was in the second Zalgiris team the coach who was showing me moves was 90 years old. Everything was old school. Right now I’m learning from players I see on TV – the moves what they are doing. And I am comparing them and putting them into my game. But I think I will be different and unique. But time will show. I didn’t reach anything yet.



heinnews: Another young Lithuanian player is being projected in the NBA Draft – Jonas Valanciunas of Lietuvos Rytas. How much do you follow him and what do you think of him as a player and person?

Motiejunas: I haven’t played with him. I never really met him that much. We said hi a couple times. But have never played national team together. My opinion is that people trying to compare us – especially my country people – is a big mistake because we are two different types of players. I think he’s a really good player right now. He’s a ’92 and he’s really playing like a great player. If he keeps working hard he’s going to have a bright future – just like everybody is saying. He knows that himself but it’s important that the side things don’t spin his head around.



heinnews: You didn’t make the 2010 Lithuania team at World Championship in Turkey. Were you disappointed at all?

Motiejunas: If you don’t make the national team it’s always a little bit disappointing. But at the beginning of the summer I had (Achilles) surgery - at the end of the season.



heinnews: What are your thoughts on possibly playing at the 2011 EuroBasket in your homeland?

Motiejunas: I don’t want to think of this. After the season I will stay in Treviso to work out and just improve as much as I can this summer. We’ll see if it’s here or if it’s in the States for some time. I know that I will not try to have big breaks.

[SonOfMars]

is there one pick at 17 every1 would be happy with?

jimmer?

seems like it, maybe not BnO tho, he wants "defense"

but jimmer wont be available..

[Fury]

If Motiejunas drops, I take him over everyone. He can be our Lamar Odom with work. Of course different but that type of sixth man.

[SelbyCobra]

is there one pick at 17 every1 would be happy with?

jimmer?

Is there anyone that wants absolutely no part of Klay at 17? I know he's not everyone's favorite, but I think that he might be the closest thing to "everyone being happy" if he was the pick.

[eviL]

Let's be real guys, there is NO pick that will make everyone happy. If 1994 Michael Jordan entered the draft, fell to 17, and was drafted by the New York Knicks, a good 25% of us on this board would still find something to bitch about.

[najeem37]

Josh Selby
Marshon Brooks
Klay Thompson

[moocow007]

is there one pick at 17 every1 would be happy with?

jimmer?

Kyrie Irving? But then again, he's too short, hasn't proved a thing and by goly gee whiz I want Derrick Williams!!!

[Manhattan Project]

Let's be real guys, there is NO pick that will make everyone happy. If 1994 Michael Jordan entered the draft, fell to 17, and was drafted by the New York Knicks, a good 25% of us on this board would still find something to bitch about.

Honestly if we pick someone that half this board doesn't like at least, Id be shocked.

[SelbyCobra]

Ford:

@chadfordinsider: From multiple sources, Donnie Walsh & staff are still calling the shots for the Knicks when it comes to the 2011 NBA Draft

@chadfordinsider: Sounds like they're focused on 5 guys: Klay Thompson, Jimmer Fredette, Josh Selby, Marshon Brooks & Kenneth Faried