Attempting to figure out Davante Gardner’s strugglesAt Thursday's media session Marquette head coach Buzz Williams made some interesting remarks about sixth man Davante Gardner's recent struggles, saying the talented big man "has not been consistent in his work at any point" and that "he doesn't work hard enough to be consistent." They're shocking words to hear about a player who has [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=painttouches.com&blog=28348875&post=10148&subd=painttouches&ref=&feed=1" width="1" height="1" />
Source: Attempting to figure out Davante Gardner’s struggles (http://painttouches.com/2014/01/03/attempting-to-figure-out-davante-gardners-struggles/)
Good article. The numbers you use show that it is Davante's problem, and not a problem of him not getting the ball enough. I've made it clear that IMO his (poor) defense and (poor) attitude are more to blame than anything else going on. Your numbers show that he is getting as many touches last year, as many touches per minute, but isn't attacking as much, isn't drawing fouls, and isn't making free throws when he IS fouled. Buzz has commented many times on his practice and work habits. Add it up.
To be fair, he isn't getting as many catches off of dump-offs set up by penetration from the guards and he is seeing more and earlier double teams. But he isn't working through it, hasn't developed countermoves, and is letting his frustration dominate.
Interesting piece, strotty.
One of my theories to explain part of Gardner's problems had been that when he and Burton are in the game at the same time, there hasn't been room on the block for both of them and the senior actually has deferred to the freshman.
But your stats suggest that is either barely a factor or not a factor at all.
I do think the lack of drawing FTs is a major thing because, as you pointed out, when you take away the Southern game, he hasn't been getting to the stripe nearly as often as in the past. Of course, the lack of made FTs when he has gotten to the stripe has adversely affected his scoring, too.
Observing Gardner, his body language often is horrible and he seems quite unhappy and/or frustrated. But I'm not in his head so I don't really know if that's true.
I've thought that Burton and Gardner have been an effective high-low combination, Deonte at the foul line looking for Davante on the block.
Quote from: tower912 on January 03, 2014, 09:43:28 AM
I've thought that Burton and Gardner have been an effective high-low combination, Deonte at the foul line looking for Davante on the block.
I've thought Burton mostly looks out for Burton. Not saying he's selfish, just that he has the "scorer's mentality." I'll have to watch more carefully the next couple games to see if I'm wrong.
I thought the new foul rules would be a benefit to him, but it seems like they are a detriment. He simply functioned very well when players were allowed to try and push him and he could physically push his way thought them. Now that the opponents are not allowed to use their hands or arm bars the refs seem to call Davante for more offensive fouls. They did not do a replay on his offensive foul in the first half against Creighton, so I really did not get a good view as to what actually happen. However, I felt that under last years rules the foul would of been on the Creighton player. That was a big difference in that Gardner scored and would of been going to line for a free throw. After that it seemed like Gardner had no interest in trying to post up. I am not sure if he even took another shot.
"18 years ago Gardner was born in a Norfolk, Va., hospital...", perhaps Gardner is struggling as a player and as a leader since he is so young for his class. We should have been even more impressed with his 1st 3 years at Marquette considering he was only 15 when he arrived. :D
Just bustin' balls, Strotty. Good piece and I appreciate the in-depth statistical analysis. The whole team is an enigma this year, including the rotations and certainly Gardner. Hoping that tomorrow is a "Get-Right" game against Depaul and starts a winning streak, but my expectations are clearly tempered at the moment.
I do think this is a factor of statistics not telling the whole story. He may be getting roughly the same paint touches he was last couple of years but the quality of the touches are not the same. Some of that is on him to do more with what he has, but I do think he has gotten less "easy touches"
Quote from: mu03eng on January 03, 2014, 11:35:53 AM
I do think this is a factor of statistics not telling the whole story. He may be getting roughly the same paint touches he was last couple of years but the quality of the touches are not the same. Some of that is on him to do more with what he has, but I do think he has gotten less "easy touches"
Hes not getting quality touches. Since the defense doesn't have to guard someone who plays lions share minutes at the pg. Once the ball hits Gardners hands hes instantly double teamed.
By the pgs man and his this makes your production drop significantly add that with a bad work ethic and attitude you get Devantes Senior year in a nutshell.
I doubted he'd land on a NBA roster due to his lack of athleticism and motor but I never thought he'd be playing this bad. The only upside is there is 17 Games left minus the NIT and BET.
As always PT, good article, and with all its "maybes", it is rather thought provoking. (By the way, how is Gardner's rebounding this year as compared to 2012-13?)
It appears to me that the lack of aggressiveness to which you refer could be applied to a number of players. There just seems to be a slight hesitation (lack of taking a "risk"?), whether it be to shoot, pass, drive, etc., by almost everyone, but not all, on the team.
One has to ask why? Lack of talent? Not enough practicing hard? Team too young? Bad team/coach "chemistry"?
Would be interested in your feel for this, or what is often called "lack of team identity", by the press.
Virtually all of Gardner's issues are in his head.
Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 03, 2014, 12:10:38 PM
Virtually all of Gardner's issues are in his head.
Yep. For a guy with less than 20 games left in his college career, I don't see a ton of urgency.
POUTER! NO TEAM PLAYER THIS YEAR
While I have never liked Davante's on court attitude, this year it is no different than it has been in years past. He has always waved his arms in disgust, he always "looked lazy' and he has never been a vocal leader. He is who he is. He is the same guy he was the last three years. His attitude is not the problem. He worked his butt off, literally and metaphorically in the offseason to lose weight, to be more athletic and more in shape for the season. Davante is only effective with the proper pieces around him. The roster is not made up of players who complement him. He is an excellent passer, yet rarely has anyone cutting through the lane to pass to. He also doesn't have quality spot up shooters to pass to. Chris's inability to catch (or see) the ball is also an issue when the two are playing together, in the high and low post. IMO Buzz plays Chris and Davante together way too much and also plays Davante with Jake and Derrick way too much. Davante works best with Jamil, Deonte, JuJuan and Todd on the court. I'm not saying Chris, Jake or Derrick shouldn't play, they just shouldn't play with Davante. Davante and the team had huge expectations this year and they have failed miserably. Davante is frustrated, as well as most of us are, but like it or not getting him going is the only chance we have to save this season. Hopefully Buzz can find the right combinations of players to get him going ASAP.
Gardner believes his preseason press clippin's.
Quote from: MU82 on January 03, 2014, 10:18:26 AM
I've thought Burton mostly looks out for Burton. Not saying he's selfish, just that he has the "scorer's mentality." I'll have to watch more carefully the next couple games to see if I'm wrong.
We could use a couple more guys with Deonte's mentality. It's amazing how little some guys look to score - and many times there are 3 or 4 of those on the court at the same time.
Juan and Derrick have wide open shots constantly that they refuse to take. Jake and Jamil are also tentative too much of the time.
Someone has to want to score and Deonte is about the only one right now.
Quote from: brandx on January 03, 2014, 01:00:39 PM
We could use a couple more guys with Deonte's mentality. It's amazing how little some guys look to score - and many times there are 3 or 4 of those on the court at the same time.
Juan and Derrick have wide open shots constantly that they refuse to take. Jake and Jamil are also tentative too much of the time.
Someone has to want to score and Deonte is about the only one right now.
I wonder how many of the passed up shots are on instructions from Buzz not to shoot without a paint touch?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on January 03, 2014, 12:10:38 PM
Virtually all of Gardner's issues are in his head.
The real question is why!?
How many team's leading scorer's have not started a single game this season and are 4th on the team in minutes played? Even Taylor got 3 starts this year.