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Reading the tea leaves: Donatas Motiejunas worked out for us today...
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GustavBahler
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6/22/2011  7:09 AM
Don't know anything about him but he does seem like a risk if he can't get amped for a tryout. Sometimes players have bad tryouts but
not showing enough interest is a red flag, so is not showing up in good enough shape. Hope its a smokescreen by the Knicks.


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/732352-2011-nba-mock-draft-latest-rumors-and-expert-analysis-for-the-upcoming-draft/entry/94909-2011-nba-mock-draft-donatas-motiejunas-turns-in-unimpressive-workout

2011 NBA Mock Draft Sees Lithuania's Donatas Motiejunas Fail to Impress in Pre-Draft Workout

Lithuanian forward Donatas Motiejunas was considered one of the top international prospects coming into the 2011 NBA Draft, and he still is.

It's just that expectations appear to have dampened a bit as Motiejunas has yet to really stand out thus far in pre-draft workouts.

Moreover, at the adidas Eurocamp during the weekend, for some inexplicable reason Motiejunas' agent decided to set up a workout in front of NBA scouts based on perimeter shooting. Now, Motiejunas has an improving jump shot, but as far as from beyond the arc, he clearly needs some work. It's a clear weakness of his and why his agent didn't highlight his strengths instead is beyond me.

Noted Chad Ford of ESPN:

He missed plenty of shots. He had a number of air balls, got winded at several points and didn't always seem engaged.

Airballs? Not exactly what NBA scouts like to see, regardless of who shoots them. Airballs tend to make a player look bad.

The 20-year-old Motiejunas does appear to be alleviating one concern, however: his weight. Listed at 7-foot, 220 pounds coming into the workouts, Ford noted he looked like he added "15 to 20" pounds to his frame.

Right now Ford has Motiejunas going to the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 20 overall, where Motiejunas has appeared to be stuck for a while.

He's a very athletic big man, and can finish around the rim with both hands. He's also an aggressive scorer who can beat most big men off the dribble and has advanced footwork in the post that could see him make an impact in the NBA earlier than some of the other young international prospects being drafted on potential. He's also a very good passer and appears to know the game very well.

But his results haven't been there recently for NBA scouts and he needs work on the defensive end, which will at least come easier when he adds some more bulk.
AUTOADVERT
misterearl
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6/22/2011  7:22 AM
nixluva wrote:
misterearl wrote:The Good - He can shoot.
The Better - Rebounding is technique and desire. They both can be taught.
The Best - You cannot teach height and Whey Protein Fuel comes in a tasty Vanilla Bean flavor.

I can't believe you just wrote this!!!! If there's one thing we in NY have come to learn it is that REBOUNDERS ARE BORN, not made. Come on Mistereal, you know better. That's what the last few years have been about. You either are a rebounder or your're not. If you could just TEACH rebounding and desire, no bigman we've had would need to be replaced. If he's not going hard after rebounds now, chances are he won't suddenly change no matter what we do.

It's called a weight room.

once a knick always a knick
Panos
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6/22/2011  7:29 AM
misterearl wrote:
nixluva wrote:
misterearl wrote:The Good - He can shoot.
The Better - Rebounding is technique and desire. They both can be taught.
The Best - You cannot teach height and Whey Protein Fuel comes in a tasty Vanilla Bean flavor.

I can't believe you just wrote this!!!! If there's one thing we in NY have come to learn it is that REBOUNDERS ARE BORN, not made. Come on Mistereal, you know better. That's what the last few years have been about. You either are a rebounder or your're not. If you could just TEACH rebounding and desire, no bigman we've had would need to be replaced. If he's not going hard after rebounds now, chances are he won't suddenly change no matter what we do.

It's called a weight room.

Now you tell us! All this time all we had to do with Eddy Curry and Amare was to say "weight room?" Wow, we missed the boat on that one!
Paladin55
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6/22/2011  8:16 AM
Knicksfan wrote:I think this means that a few prospects thought to be lottery bound now are afraid they are falling and want to cover all the possible bases. We've read the same from Burks in the last days.

That is my gut feeling, too. Agents are scrambling to get them seen by teams in the middle of Rnd 1, so they don't fall into the 20s.

Not 100% sure of this, though. Maybe the Knicks see he is falling, and realize he might be there for them, and Donny is just doing the smart thing and checking the guy out himself.

No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
franco12
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6/22/2011  9:19 AM
Panos wrote:
misterearl wrote:
nixluva wrote:
misterearl wrote:The Good - He can shoot.
The Better - Rebounding is technique and desire. They both can be taught.
The Best - You cannot teach height and Whey Protein Fuel comes in a tasty Vanilla Bean flavor.

I can't believe you just wrote this!!!! If there's one thing we in NY have come to learn it is that REBOUNDERS ARE BORN, not made. Come on Mistereal, you know better. That's what the last few years have been about. You either are a rebounder or your're not. If you could just TEACH rebounding and desire, no bigman we've had would need to be replaced. If he's not going hard after rebounds now, chances are he won't suddenly change no matter what we do.

It's called a weight room.

Now you tell us! All this time all we had to do with Eddy Curry and Amare was to say "weight room?" Wow, we missed the boat on that one!

I can't believe I agree with nixluva, but even guys with motors- like Turiaf- are, for whatever reason, pretty wretched rebounders.
TheGame
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6/22/2011  9:52 AM
BRIGGS wrote:Pure subterfuge

I agree. No way they take this guy over the other prospects that might be available. Walsh is just doing due diligence in case we can buy a later pick.

Trust the Process
crzymdups
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6/22/2011  10:01 AM
I remember seeing an article very early in the process that the Knicks liked this kid. At one point, I think they thought he wouldn't fall to him. I think it's mostly doing due diligence now that they know he might slip to 17.
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rvwink
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6/22/2011  7:10 PM
Until recently I accepted Donatas' "low motor" designation and passed him by in my search for an excellent draft pick. But I have recently changed my mind. He is a fine shooter with excellent footwork. He runs the floor well. He is 7 feet at 20 and likely still growing while getting stronger and heavier as his body matures. I recently also learned that he is an excellent passer, which I believe is huge. Because he is only 20, and has the talent to thrive without working real hard in Europe doesn't mean he will never have a good motor. He still has plenty of time to change his mind, and his attitude as he matures.

I would take Donatas at 17 over almost all of the other choices that are expected to be available at 17. Even if Donatas doesn't develop a much stronger motor soon, he will contribute scoring, spreading the floor for others, speed in running the floor, plus the excellent passing. Those items are an upgrade over what our big men contributed last season. Even adding in limited progress in rebounding and defense, I am confident that his contribution to the team will be quite valuable in his first season with us. I much prefer the Knicks taking a 7 foot pf/center instead of beefing up the shooting guard situation so we can move Landry to 6th man status. MDA will take a while tutoring a "big" how to play in his system. We need add the "big man" candidate this year if we want to move to the next level next year imo.
nixluva
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6/22/2011  7:39 PM
The thing with this kid is that from what i've seen he's a true talent and has far more upside than Vucevic. He's not the banger in side we need, but in terms of an actual NBA talent, the guy has the goods. Size, quickness, handle, agility, some good athletic ability, shooting and passing... He's a skills player not a brute. If he's there you almost have to take the BPA and at 17 he'd be the best player available.

Then you just move on to plan B and C and count your blessings. We can still add a PG and a big if they buy picks.
Sangfroid
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6/22/2011  8:01 PM
Everything is going to depend on his availability. He represents the BPA, he's a 7 footer and he's a type pick. There are so many guards available in this draft, any secondary 1st rounder or early 2nd rounder will be a decent plug-in or backup player. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he tanked his Euro Camp workout. Rumor has it that he did a heavy weight room session prior his shoot around. One thing that can't be denied is his fluidity around the rim and his added weight. If he's there, look for the Knicks to snatch him.
"We are playing a game. We are playing at not playing a game..."
Paladin55
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6/22/2011  8:16 PM
nixluva wrote:The thing with this kid is that from what i've seen he's a true talent and has far more upside than Vucevic. He's not the banger in side we need, but in terms of an actual NBA talent, the guy has the goods. Size, quickness, handle, agility, some good athletic ability, shooting and passing... He's a skills player not a brute. If he's there you almost have to take the BPA and at 17 he'd be the best player available.

Then you just move on to plan B and C and count your blessings. We can still add a PG and a big if they buy picks.

One of them, Vucevic, or Montiejunas, will almost surely be available at 17. Do you take the grinder- Vucevic, or the gifted one, Montiejunas?

One things in Vucevic's favor is that he is no stiff, and even though he is not an outstanding defensive player, he does show up according to everthing I've read about him.

I would be upset if we got either, but my guts tell me that Vucevic has less chance of disappointing us over his career, even though Montiejunas could become a special player if everything falls into place for him.

No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
nixluva
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6/22/2011  8:31 PM
Paladin55 wrote:
nixluva wrote:The thing with this kid is that from what i've seen he's a true talent and has far more upside than Vucevic. He's not the banger in side we need, but in terms of an actual NBA talent, the guy has the goods. Size, quickness, handle, agility, some good athletic ability, shooting and passing... He's a skills player not a brute. If he's there you almost have to take the BPA and at 17 he'd be the best player available.

Then you just move on to plan B and C and count your blessings. We can still add a PG and a big if they buy picks.

One of them, Vucevic, or Montiejunas, will almost surely be available at 17. Do you take the grinder- Vucevic, or the gifted one, Montiejunas?

One things in Vucevic's favor is that he is no stiff, and even though he is not an outstanding defensive player, he does show up according to everthing I've read about him.

I would be upset if we got either, but my guts tell me that Vucevic has less chance of disappointing us over his career, even though Montiejunas could become a special player if everything falls into place for him.


For our immediate needs Vucevic is the best option. I have no doubt that he'll workout just fine. He defends and rebounds and has the kind of offensive game that would blend perfectly with Amar'e and this system. I do recognize that Donatas has some real upside.
Paladin55
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6/22/2011  8:45 PM    LAST EDITED: 6/22/2011  8:47 PM
nixluva wrote:
Paladin55 wrote:
nixluva wrote:The thing with this kid is that from what i've seen he's a true talent and has far more upside than Vucevic. He's not the banger in side we need, but in terms of an actual NBA talent, the guy has the goods. Size, quickness, handle, agility, some good athletic ability, shooting and passing... He's a skills player not a brute. If he's there you almost have to take the BPA and at 17 he'd be the best player available.

Then you just move on to plan B and C and count your blessings. We can still add a PG and a big if they buy picks.

One of them, Vucevic, or Montiejunas, will almost surely be available at 17. Do you take the grinder- Vucevic, or the gifted one, Montiejunas?

One things in Vucevic's favor is that he is no stiff, and even though he is not an outstanding defensive player, he does show up according to everthing I've read about him.

I would NOT (added) be upset if we got either, but my gut tells me that Vucevic has less chance of disappointing us over his career, even though Montiejunas could become a special player if everything falls into place for him.


For our immediate needs Vucevic is the best option. I have no doubt that he'll workout just fine. He defends and rebounds and has the kind of offensive game that would blend perfectly with Amar'e and this system. I do recognize that Donatas has some real upside.

Had to fix it.

No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
rp
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6/22/2011  8:57 PM
Vucevic is dlee with size in my opinion.
"Failure is only postponed success as long as courage coaches ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory" -Herbert Kaufman
MSG3
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6/22/2011  9:05 PM
rp wrote:Vucevic is dlee with size in my opinion.

DLee was a rebounding machine. If Vucevic is anywhere near what DLee was we'd be fools not to take him. But from what I've read and seen, he's not that type of player.
AnubisADL
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6/22/2011  9:08 PM
rp wrote:Vucevic is dlee with size in my opinion.

Minus David Lee's athleticism. 30.5" no step vert. 32.5" max vert

Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/David-Lee-87/

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nixluva
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6/22/2011  9:29 PM
AnubisADL wrote:
rp wrote:Vucevic is dlee with size in my opinion.

Minus David Lee's athleticism. 30.5" no step vert. 32.5" max vert

Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/David-Lee-87/

His 7', 260 lb frame and 7'4 wingspan will help on D tho and that's a huge factor in how a kid like Vucevic could help. He had very solid rebound numbers and overall he had some good numbers. He'll have to adjust to the NBA level like most young players, but he's got legit size and with so few real C's he should have a solid career.
Paladin55
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6/22/2011  9:29 PM
AnubisADL wrote:
rp wrote:Vucevic is dlee with size in my opinion.

Minus David Lee's athleticism. 30.5" no step vert. 32.5" max vert

Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/David-Lee-87/

Lee's vertical leap was only evident when he was on offense.

Vucevic has much better offensive skills than Lee had at the same age, is a better defender, is 2 inches taller with longer wingspan, and will not need a bunch of years to develop a jumper.

He ends up being a better player than Lee, IMO.

No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities- C.N. Bovee
rp
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6/22/2011  9:32 PM
Good points anubis & msg if tyler was only as mature as they are...
"Failure is only postponed success as long as courage coaches ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of victory" -Herbert Kaufman
rubyz2
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6/23/2011  7:01 PM
So what is the choice if its between Donatas and Markieff? Seems like two very different players. My inclination is to go with the 7 footer and hope that he fills out.
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