Sixers to bring in Lithuanian 7-footer
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Sixers to bring in Lithuanian 7-footer
Tomorrow's predraft workout could be interesting for the 76ers.
Donatas Motiejunas, a 7-foot power forward from Lithuania, is the lone player scheduled. The 20-year-old is projected to go somewhere in the middle of the first round. The Sixers have the 16th pick.
He spent last season with Benetton Treviso (Italy), averaging 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Motiejunas withdrew 3 weeks prior to the draft last year, opting for another season in Europe. He has extensive international experience, having played for the Lithuanian U16, U18 and U20 junior national teams.
ESPN's Fran Fraschilla described him this way on a recent conference call with reporters: "He's the old-fashioned prototypical international player that we remember when he first started coming into the league. What we call the face-up four or five man. The guy that plays on the 3-point line, can stretch the defense with his shooting. He's crafty inside but he's not a physical player yet. He's really one of those pick-and-pop four or five man. A lot of international experience for a young player … very successful — actually may have been drafted higher if he were in the draft last year. There was a little bit more intrigue about him. Now, people are looking at him after another full year in the Euro League, and they're picking apart some of his flaws. Having said that, he's your classic pick-and-pop big buy. Kind of like a Bargnani-type. Does need to get more physical. And there's been some people that question whether he plays with a high enough motor, which has kind of been the argument with Andrea as well. Not nearly as good as shooter as Andrea Bargnani."
Can you teach "motor" and physicality? Probably not. Next?— jamesiri- At 20 years of age there are a lot of things he can learn.What you can't teach is height.— homer2811
Comment removed.- Sounds like Spencer Hawes!— pedge
- This is just a hunch but the my guess is the "experts" knocking this kid have never seen him play. I remember Larry Brown being asked about drafting Dirk when he entering the draft and Brown laughed in the reporters face. I'm not saying he'sthe next Dirk, but I would like to see him play before I say , "Next." But then let's not let facts get in the way of opinion.— GA in Blue Bell
- Sounds like a less physical Jason Smith, the former Sixers pick.— chriszak
- Comment removed.
- No. I want a banger who can block some shots and grab some boards.— AlonzoMoselyFBI
- Its time they found a big guy who can actually play. I could careless where he's from. There are guys who can play that don't live in the US. Can't be so shortsighted.— phillyinNJ
- He's the type of player who needs a very specific type of front court mate. If we had another pick to take hime and Biyombo, it could work— dmanns
- Only guys I want Sixers to draft are Alec Burks, Chris Singleton, Tristan Thompson, Kenneth Faried, and Jordan Hamilton. I hope we don't draft a big just for the sake of it either. Worst comes to worst get jajuan johnson or jordan williams in 2nd round— therealmob21
- Dude can you say YouTube? If you want to see him play duh, what the heck is pick and pop four five guy? Are you kidding me just check the tape the guys banging, playing with his back to the basket, blocking shots, making passes and he's freaking 7 feet who needs a pick! "Old fashioned"? Fraschilla is an idiot, I hope Motiejunas is there when they pick and they take him.— allrightknight
- they must think he's Ilgauskus. Ilgauskus is No ELITE now look again.— Gotenks
- He seems pretty crafty with his inside moves -- like Thad, a lefty who likes to spin and lay it up or take baby hooks. Looks lean and like he could become pretty mean. I'm all for it if he's there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFqK-YXlsHs&feature=related
— Leegles
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
