21 replies to this topic

[Steven]

The chronicle is saying D-Mo will start tomorrow night. He has earned it with his play. Now he will just have to keep it. Good luck. Onward and upward.

[Red94]

New post: Donatas Motiejunas to get first career start Wednesday vs. Bucks

[tombrokeoff]

STOKED!! Cant wait.

[Rahat Huq]

Predictions on tonight?  He could easily go for 20, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

[Steven]

Predictions on tonight? He could easily go for 20, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

40 & 10.

[feelingsupersonic]

I think he might have a better all around game than we might predict. As far as scoring down low he will have to deal with his man and then Larry Sanders patrolling the paint so sticking to outside shots might be the way to get his game going. If he can dish well then his offense near the basket could improve exponentially. I am thinking about 16 pts, 40%, 3 3pt, 8 reb and 6 ast, maybe 1 block.

I am really excited to see him get his chance but if he has a bad game I won't think on it too much and will be more curious as to how he bounces back against Orlando.

[Ostrow]

12 & 6

[thejohnnygold]

The scoring will come as that is a raw talent he possesses....I will be watching his rebounding and defense....would love to see 10+ boards and only to get burned a few times defensively.  With potentially 50+ available rebounds (given our pace) asking him to snag 1/5 of them is fairly reasonable for a quick 7 footer.  I think he is easily boxed out right now, but if he can slash to the basket as shots are mid-air I think he can get his hands on a lot of loose balls.

 

His first big challenge comes Fri the 8th vs. GSW and David Lee

[tombrokeoff]

17 & 7 (but I hope for better)

[bob schmidt]

I suspect that a fair number of opportunities will be given to D-Mo at the expense of Asik. Should be interesting, and may give both men a chance for big numbers... I look for Donatus to have 20+ points while Asik has close to 2o+ rebounds. Meanwhile, I expect Harden to happily join Lin with double figure dimes. Could there be a triple double looming for Harden? It wouldn't surprise me one bit.

[timetodienow1234567]

If D-Mo is a 20/10 guy like some of you guys think, then why wasn't he starting? While Patterson's not bad, he's wasn't great either. D-Mo's got potential, don't get me wrong, I just don't think he's an all-star quite yet. I guess I'm the only one who thinks he isn't the second best player on the team besides Harden right now after a few games.

[thejohnnygold]

It would be surprising if he posts those numbers immediately....I certainly think he is capable as he develops more experience and strength.  In some of the articles I posted about McHale in a different thread earlier today he talks about D-Mo's development.

 

Most of what has held him back has been learning defense and gaining strength....we'll see if he's there yet soon enough.  Frankly, I would say that D-Mo has more potential than Harden.  Whether that ever comes to fruition is another matter. 

[Steven]

If D-Mo is a 20/10 guy like some of you guys think, then why wasn't he starting? While Patterson's not bad, he's wasn't great either. D-Mo's got potential, don't get me wrong, I just don't think he's an all-star quite yet. I guess I'm the only one who thinks he isn't the second best player on the team besides Harden right now after a few games.

Because Morey knew what they were and wanted maximize their trade value. Do you think he could have made the trade with The Kings if 2Pat hadn't been playing? He probably could have got a second round pick for Morris over the summer, but would it have been as high a pick as the suns second rounder will be for this year?

Now Morey&McHale have their best 5 starting. It's gonna be some growing pains like the first month of the season, but hopefully come playoff time they will be clicking on all cylinders.

[bboley24]

Slow down guys.  Remember KM pulls players the moment things go a rye.  I can forsee a nervous MoTee coming out shooting and KM holding him to about 15-20min.  If he gets in double figures with 4 or 5 rebounds... we should all be happy.  We were content with PP.  If Dmo  can put up PP numbers right now...  its a win.

[Ostrow]

I'm not sure how many people can watch the game, but I'm on in WI for law school right now so it is on local tv.  So far D-Mo has played great. Things we've been worried about. He's moved his feet on D.  Boxed out when his mad was near the basket.  Offensively his 3 was good, had a really good pass.  I'll try to do periodic updates when I'm watching, just for him.

[phaketrash]

DMo played really well tonight. The major knock against him that I saw (or anyone could have easily seen haha) was his stamina. Not used to 30 min yet. 3 or 4 min and he's breathing like he's about to pass out lol. Sure that will improve with time. Asik's gotten a lot better as the season's gone on.

[tombrokeoff]

i was only 4 pts off nailing my prediction for him.  hit the rebounds on the head.

[feelingsupersonic]

I had him at 16 pts, 40% fg, 8 reb and 6 ast.

His line reads 13 pts, 44% fg, 7 reb and 5 ast.

I thought he might have a block off of a hustle play and instead got a steal.

[tombrokeoff]

nice! closer than me and more in depth as well.  

[ale11]

The thing was that he gave 100% on every play, run as fast as he could in transition and was eager to prove he deserved the starting job. Like phaketrash said, Asik was just like that and managed to get used to starter's minutes. It's not so much about stamina (I'm sure he played more than 30 minutes per game in RGV, although I'm not aware of the pace), it's about not running his ass off every single time, and that really is all about getting experience and recognize when you are needed down there in no time and when to take a breath.