Player Breakdown: Davante Gardner
Written by: Andrei Greska
What he did well: Davante Gardner's Twitter handle isn't @iGetBuckets_54 for no reason. The big man from Virginia can keep up offensively with just about any center in the country, averaging 11.5 points per game this past season, the second ... Continue reading → (http://painttouches.com/2013/04/08/player-breakdown-davante-gardner-2/)
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http://painttouches.com/2013/04/08/player-breakdown-davante-gardner-2/
Gardner is fun to watch with the ball. He has the moves of a grizzled veteran, meaning that he knows exactly how to use his body and skills to use the right move at the right time and there is nothing an opposing player, even if more physically gifted, can do about it.
When he finally figures out how to adjust to the double team and the recipient of that pass can knock it down, then MU will be an extremely efficient and offensively deadly team.
Big Sheesh is definitely a stud down low, and this story shows that his offensive stats/efficiency are awesome. Hopefully he will improve defensively for next year, and does not attend too many state fairs this summer chowing down on the fried pork chops, etc.
Keep improving Ox!
Passing is still a work in progress for him.
He's shown flashes, but he's still not quite there (as correctly stated in the blog)
A little better passing and some sort of jumper out of the post are the only thing he needs on offense. He's incredible at creating space, but a reverse pivot jumper or fade-away jumper would give him a nice counter to his normal bull-rush post up.
Fitness is still an issue, and I have no idea why. I'm sure Todd has him on a crazy strength and conditioning program. He's 290 now, I think he would be far better off playing the in the 270-275 range. His stamina would increase and he should be a little more explosive carrying a 20lbs less.
Really nice player, and great individual development in his career so far.
Completely up to him at what level he wants to compete at next year. If he gets in better shape he will e missing in action less often. I am one of the guys that do not get the excitement of him. All I know is he is my wife and and daughters favorite player...enough said IMO. Funny thing is Junior was their second favorite player.
Quote from: Guns n Ammo on April 08, 2013, 11:13:42 AM
Fitness is still an issue, and I have no idea why. I'm sure Todd has him on a crazy strength and conditioning program. He's 290 now, I think he would be far better off playing the in the 270-275 range. His stamina would increase and he should be a little more explosive carrying a 20lbs less.
It seems like he gains weight during the season. He was really trim at the Pro-Am this summer.
Quote from: MUfan12 on April 08, 2013, 12:01:40 PM
It seems like he gains weight during the season. He was really trim at the Pro-Am this summer.
I thought the same thing. How does that happen with you are playing ball as much as he is?
Quote from: Victor McCormick on April 08, 2013, 12:03:47 PM
I thought the same thing. How does that happen with you are playing ball as much as he is?
Only thing I can think of is that they dial back the conditioning work during the season.
IMO, he is a hot and cold back up center. He can't dunk in traffic, has difficulty getting his shot off against athletic bigs, is average-at-best defensively, wants to be a guard. When he is on, he is very good. When he is off, meh. If he drops another 25 lbs and works on his jumping, he may be able to play at the next level. Right now, though, he is John Pinone/Oliver Miller. A pretty good college 5. Who, if Otule returns, still won't be the starter.