3 replies to this topic

[Alituro]

First post here on the forums. I am deeply interested in the mystery surrounding Donatas Motiejunas and Sergio Llull. I enjoyed Zero's post about D-mo. I want to see some community input on a few questions I have about these prospects.

• Why are they still in Europe and when can we expect to see them in Rockets Jerseys?
• Can Donatas Motiejunas be an effective 7 footer in this league immediately? Can he be our low post savior or are we looking at the next Darko?
• Would D-mo be better suited at PF or C?
• Can Sergio Llull be a good PG immediately much like Rubio? If so, would this make Lowry more expendable when pursuing our much needed star?
• Can we expect Llull to easily replace Dragic if he's traded? If not how deadly would a two headed, 6'3" monster be at PG? Would it be even more deadly if we had a young talented 7 footer named Donatas Motiejunas in the post?
• If we traded for Gasol and had to give up Lowry, would Llull be the ultimate complement to Gasol? would having Gasol entice Llull to come on over to the states? would having Llull make Houston a desirable location for Gasol?
• what kind of impact could these guys have with or without Gasol?

If we are able to get these guys in summer league and training, even if we don't acquire a star by then, I could see them making a big impact, and depending on how big, maybe put us closer to contention. But how will we ever know? What risks do we take to find out?

[Sir Thursday]

While Motiejunas definitely wants to be in the NBA at some point, I have yet to hear anyone say that Llull is considering leaving the Spanish League. It's not always a player's eventual ambition. Look at guys like Reyes (a very good player who has never come over) or Navarro (who is certainly capable of playing a role for an NBA team but chooses to play in Spain. Llull is doing very well for himself in the Spanish league, so unlike Rubio (who was not doing well), he has less incentive to leave. Until I hear some evidence that Llull wants to come and play over here, speculation about his fit is a bit like counting your chickens before they've hatched.

ST

[Alituro]

ST... Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't aware of the situation from that standpoint, which is why i started the post. To see if there was any news or any scuttlebutt about them both. I guess prematurely speculating about someone's fit is way off-base around here though? I don't think it's any more so than the Trade scenario/rumor/news threads, at least we have the rights to this guy already. Playing with Pau may be all the enticement he needs.

[Sir Thursday]

ST... Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't aware of the situation from that standpoint, which is why i started the post. To see if there was any news or any scuttlebutt about them both. I guess prematurely speculating about someone's fit is way off-base around here though? I don't think it's any more so than the Trade scenario/rumor/news threads, at least we have the rights to this guy already. Playing with Pau may be all the enticement he needs.

Hehe, sorry if I sound harsh - speculation's all good! Just pointing out the realities of the situation as I see it. A quick search did turn up this article on Rockets.com which had an interesting and relevant quote from the Rockets VP of Player Personnel:

He’s one of the top Spanish players in the ACB and he’s a guy who wanted to parlay his career into a situation of playing in the NBA. He’s a guy we’re working with now and talking to in order to see when the time is right for him to come. He wants to come when he’s got an opportunity to be a part of an NBA rotation and that’s when we want him. We want to come over so he can play and contribute. We’re working through those things and looking to see when the time is right, not just in terms of the team but financially for him and for us.

To me it sounds like they're optimistic, but nowhere near agreeing anything.

ST