Motiejunas clarifies comments on Dwight Howard and James Harden

As reported by Houston Chronicle, Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas said the context of his comments made in Lithuania on Friday were lost in translation. The problem, however, was not with translating Lithuanian to English. The confusion, Motiejunas said, came when taking comedy seriously. He said his comments that James Harden and Dwight Howard do not eat with teammates were clearly jokes in keeping with the sort of radio program in which he was interviewed, but that there were reported in Lithuanian media as if he was serious. “The radio show, the guys that work there, make fun of everybody,” Motiejunas, who called from Lithuania said. “It’s a funny radio show. Everybody in Lithuania listens. They told me to try to be funny, try to make the jokes. They told me to be free. They asked some question. I joked about one thing. I joked about the other thing. “They asked about the team. I tried to be funny. They asked how they (Harden and Howard) approach the team. I told them like, “Hey, they’re not with us. I stay alone.’ Then the journalists in Lithuania took the interrview and took it serious and posted my interview. I didn’t talk with no journalists. It was just a fun radio show.”

Motiejunas, however, said he actually does often dine with his teammates, including Howard and Harden. “We never have problems,” Motiejunas said. “For example, last year Dwight invited me and other players to Thanksgiving dinner. James and Dwight bought us give us gifts for Christmas. We go to eat most of the all of the time. I talked with Dwight today. I talk to Dwight all the time. He said he understands. Me and Dwight, we communicate pretty good in the locker room. I never had a problem. -