[paradigmnParticipant]

With a draft full of ??????????????….this dude has to be close to the top of the list as far as where he will fall….its like 50-50 if he will be a lottery pick or not….I really dont know much about him except he can shoot and might have a poor work ethic….I guess I have him in the lottery right now because he is the ONLY legitmate 7 footer that might be a FIRST ROUND pick (excluding if you have NOGUEIRA going in the first)…you guys know your basketball…what are your opinions????

[apb540Participant]

Idk much about this dude cuz European ball isn’t my thing but I will say that I wouldn’t mind seeing him drop to my Sixers at 16.  Interesting prospect. 

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Yes, hes a legit 7 footer, but he also has a 6’11 wingspan, and the fact that hes not a very good defender, so his height brings little factor defensively. Offensively hes very talented, needs to improve on post up game to counter opposing NBA PFs. He has a lot of holes as a player to be taken in top 5.

 

And it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets out of top 10, and be the 4th Euro player choosen behind Jonas,Kanter, and Vasely.

[paradigmnParticipant]

 nice…I need that type of input…where did you hear about his wing span???

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

http://www.netscoutsbasketball.com/blog/archives/nba-european-draft-prospects-donatas-motiejunas/

 

There are several sites also that states he has 6’11 wingspan if you search it on google.

[butidonthavemoney]

Like ours, for example. [Player: Donatas Motiejunas]

The man is a fantastic passer with very good ball-handling for a player his size. Effortless athlete, with outstanding mobility. The man has advanced moves in the post, with the ability to shoot over smaller players and take bigger ones off the dribble. Though his shooting numbers are down this year, he has a great touch — in both shooting and around the rim — and good range. Defensively he is active and tougher than a lot of people give him credit for, but he’s still largely ineffective in this regard. He doesn’t make much of an impact as a defensive rebounder, but his activity and athleticism get him a lot of offensive put-backs.

I’ve always compared him to Ersan Ilyasova and Andrea Bargnani. High potential if you know what to expect of him. Despite standing 7’0" he should not be drafted as a center.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Donatas has been inexplicably suffering from unwarranted criticism after deciding to pull out of last years draft.  Remember last year he was a 19 year old forward who presented all types of potential mismatch problems at the NBA level with his size and mobility.  Last year was considered a weak class and he was still considered a top ten pick.  In Last year’s draft Donatas was a definite lottery pick who could of went as high as 6 to the Warriors.  

This year’s class is undoubtely a lot weaker and his stock has somehow slipped.  He is averaging over 13 points in 25 minutes in Italian competition and is getting over 27 minutes in Eurocup ball averaging 11 points and close to 6 rebounds.  He is also averaging a steal per game.  In Europe his play is drawing Pau Gasol comparisons because of his size, mobility, shooting, and passing ability.

If Donatas slips out of the top 10 in this draft GM"s will be making a huge mistake.  I’ve watched a couple of his games online over the past 2 years and he reminds me more then anybody of a 7 foot version of Dani Gallinari.  He doesn’t quite have Gallo’s 3 point shooting but he is still a very good 3 point shooter.  And he is a better defender then advertised.  Donatas will hustly and get blocks and steals in transition, not to mention he consistently beats every Power Forward he matches up with down the floor.  He is no doubt a pure power forward in todays NBA.  Tho he should not be used at center he still has more meat on his bones then Jonas V. who is considered a center.

[butidonthavemoney]

"Tho he should not be used at center he still has more meat on his bones then Jonas V. who is considered a center."

If by "meat on his bones" you mean arm muscle, than you are technically correct. However Valanciunas has stronger legs and I’d be more than willing to bet that he weighs more than Motie. He is also unquestionably a much better defender/rebounder.

[Mr. 19134Participant]

 Yeah Jonas is a beast defender I really like his game but he got an unsual body build and a bird chest.  Donatas has put on considerable weight and is looking to be close to 240.  Remember when Gallinari came into the league he was rail thin too and look at how he has filled out.  I expect Monti to fill out in much the same way.  Valencias reminds me a lot of Biendrins who still does not have adequate weight on.  But you’re right that Jonas might have more cushion for the pushing down low but I still think Monti has more meat….err..yeah.

[Author]

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