Houston Rockets' Investment in Donatas Motiejunas Is Finally Paying off

It looks like it's finally starting to click for Rockets big man Donatas Motiejunas. And it's a good thing, because after a year of being stashed abroad and two quiet ones in Houston, this might have been a make-or-break season with regard to his NBA value. 

Motiejunas averaged under six points and shot below 46 percent since coming over from Poland in 2012. 

But in 2014-15, he's emerged as a key member of Houston's rotation with Terrence Jones and Dwight Howard both going down early.

Motiejunas has been particularly good as of late, as he's averaging 17.0 points on 55.6 percent shooting in the month of December. On the year, he's averaging 10.8 points and 6.1 boards.

Despite Howard having already missed a good chunk of the season with a knee injury, the 19-5 Rockets haven't lost a step with Motiejunas filling in. 

And it starts with his post game, where he's been a whole lot more effective than he has been in the past. 

Motiejunas has a rather unorthodox delivery—he gets very little elevation, as it sometimes appears as if he's simply flinging the ball at the hoop. But he's displayed a whole lot more touch on those flings to match some sharp footwork and body control.

He's already hit a total of 41 hook shots (consisting of running hooks, jump hooks, turnaround hooks) in 24 games after making just 35 total in 62 games last season, per NBA.com.

Motiejunas has a good feel for his defender's positioning in terms of getting him to lean one way so he can separate the other.

He's coming off a career day against the Denver Nuggets last Saturday, when he went for 25 points on 11 made field goals with Howard back in the lineup. And six of those buckets came on back-to-the-basket post-ups, where, at 7'0" tall, he's a tough cover for any opposing power forward. 

Motiejunas' mobility and threatening outside jumper ultimately allow him to complement Howard up front—in that same game against Denver, he hit a three-pointer from each corner, as well as a mid-range jumper and dunk in transition.

With Motiejunas and Howard together on the floor, the Rockets are outscoring opponents by 16.1 points per 100 possessions, per Vantagesports.com's Mika Honkasalo.

"I'm happy that I got my low-post touches," Motiejunas told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "I'm hoping that I will keep on getting them. It's actually easier to play when Dwight is out there. There is less help (off) him, and the players are more concerned with him than about me, so it's easier to play for me."

Eric Christian Smith/Associated Press

Motiejunas' shot selection has also been a lot better this year. Though a capable shooter, he's spending a lot more time playing to his strengths in the post, and it shows in the efficiency department, given his 51 percent field goal clip.

	3PA per 36 min	Percentage of FGA within 3 ft	Percentage of FGA from 3-10 ft
2014-15	2.1	.350	.437
2013-14	3.2	.304	.351
2012-13	5.6	.258	.286

He's taking less threes and jumpers outside the paint, with 78.7 percent of his shots this year coming inside 10 feet from the hoop. Last year, 65.5 percent of his shots came from that distance.  

But it hasn't just been about Motiejunas' offense, regardless of his low shot-blocking numbers. So far on the year, he's allowing his man to shoot just 41.3 percent on two-pointers, a big difference from the 50.2 percent opponents shot against him inside the arc last season. 

In terms of rim protection, he's been pretty darn effective as well, even if it's Howard who's in charge of Houston's interior security. On an average of 5.7 shots taken against him at the rim, Motiejunas is allowing opponents to shoot only 40.2 percent, roughly the same number as Indiana Pacers big man Roy Hibbert (40.3 percent, though on 8.2 shots per game).

He's given the Rockets two-way production and plenty of frontcourt versatility while the team has been forced to deal with injuries to two of their key big men. 

At 24 years old, Motiejunas picked a good time to break through, both for himself and the team. Terrence Jones still doesn't have a timetable to return from an inflamed nerve, per Feigen, and with the Rockets looking like a potential title contender, Motiejunas has been placed in the spotlight.

Being able to play two 7-footers up front certainly seems like a perk. If Motiejunas can keep delivering at both ends of the floor, we should see his individual value continue to rise, as well as the Rockets' chances of emerging from the Western Conference as a legitimate championship threat.