I'm surprised the next Wes Unseld didn't get drafted or make a summer team. Or the next Jared Sullinger. Or the next Luis Scola. Or the guy that would foul out Dirk in 20 minutes. Or the guy that could average 10 PPG for his career...
Buycks with anybody?
Yes he is still under contract with the Raptors and is on their summer league team. However he will likely be waived in a couple of weeks because his contract isn't guaranteed next year.
Davante only got a little less than 2 minutes of garbage time for the Bulls, but looked good. Held his box outs and scored 4 points. First basket was on a put back. Also, had a nice drive from the free throw line with a spin move finish with a foul. Failed to convert the and 1 though.
Davante only got a little less than 2 minutes of garbage time for the Bulls, but looked good. Held his box outs and scored 4 points. First basket was on a put back. Also, had a nice drive from the free throw line with a spin move finish with a foul. Failed to convert the and 1 though.A good first outing for Davante. At least he got to play and made something of it. Looks like Jamil got 14 minutes, 5 points, 5 Rebounds and an assist for the Wizards. Lockett had 34 minutes, 13 points , 9 boards 3 assists and 3 steals for NBA D league select. So he is making something happen it seems.
Who, out of the MU guys, will actually stick in the NBA this year?
I'd say Buycks and the rest is up in the air.
My money is on Wade and Wes.
I'm going with Jimmy
I'm pretty sure he meant those MU alums on a summer league roster.
Oh, then I'll go with Davante ... providing the team he goes to plays 40 or so games against the Mavs. Because he'd foul out Dirk every time.
Oh, then I'll go with Davante ... providing the team he goes to plays 40 or so games against the Mavs. Because he'd foul out Dirk every time.
Oh, then I'll go with Davante ... providing the team he goes to plays 40 or so games against the Mavs. Because he'd foul out Dirk every time.
That point was made with regard to someone saying Davante doesn't stand a chance in the league as he'd have to guard guys like Dirk...and no way he could....point was Dirk couldn't guard Davante on the low block either. It goes two ways. Davante is extremely difficult to stop 1 on 1 no matter who you put on him..and put him on a team with pros, guys who can shoot at all positions and space the floor...he's a load down low.
But...I appreciate your attempt at humor...
If a starting PF in the NBA could not stop Davante Gardner from scoring on him every time down the floor, or if Davante Gardner could foul out a starting power forward in the NBA in 20 minutes, Danavte Gardner would have been a 1st round NBA Draft pick this year. Instead, he will never even see an NBA contract. I'm fairly confident in saying that if Dirk was able to guard guys like Tim Duncan, Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, and Zach Randolph, he'd do alright guarding a guy who will never see an NBA court.
Fair point. Yet, it still wouldn't surprise me to see DG make an NBA team at some point in his career. He is a very unique player. Crafty is an understatement. Not many guys out there like him. I suspect if he gets some decent minutes with Bulls Summer League team - you will see him post high O-Rating numbers as he did in college, be very efficient....hell in his first game he got 3 or 4 minutes...scored 4 points and drew a foul...standard Davante type of line. Albeit , sounds like it was in garbage time..
Fair point. Yet, it still wouldn't surprise me to see DG make an NBA team at some point in his career. He is a very unique player. Crafty is an understatement. Not many guys out there like him. I suspect if he gets some decent minutes with Bulls Summer League team - you will see him post high O-Rating numbers as he did in college, be very efficient....hell in his first game he got 3 or 4 minutes...scored 4 points and drew a foul...standard Davante type of line. Albeit , sounds like it was in garbage time..I agree with you on his unique abilities. In addition, I have always felt the NBA is also in the entertainment business and from the stand point of the fans, a team would be better served having a guy like Davante fill the last spot on the roster than some unknown stiff from Europe. He could pretty quickly generate a following.
If a starting PF in the NBA could not stop Davante Gardner from scoring on him every time down the floor, or if Davante Gardner could foul out a starting power forward in the NBA in 20 minutes, Danavte Gardner would have been a 1st round NBA Draft pick this year. Instead, he will never even see an NBA contract. I'm fairly confident in saying that if Dirk was able to guard guys like Tim Duncan, Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin, and Zach Randolph, he'd do alright guarding a guy who will never see an NBA court.
I agree with you on his unique abilities. In addition, I have always felt the NBA is also in the entertainment business and from the stand point of the fans, a team would be better served having a guy like Davante fill the last spot on the roster than some unknown stiff from Europe. He could pretty quickly generate a following.
That point was made with regard to someone saying Davante doesn't stand a chance in the league as he'd have to guard guys like Dirk...and no way he could....point was Dirk couldn't guard Davante on the low block either. It goes two ways. Davante is extremely difficult to stop 1 on 1 no matter who you put on him..and put him on a team with pros, guys who can shoot at all positions and space the floor...he's a load down low.
But...I appreciate your attempt at humor...
There are countless guys in the NBA that could guard Davante. The problem is there are next to none that he could guard.
I loved Davante, but the NBA? Somebody's stolen Grandma's medical marijuana. Chris Otule's size and strength gave him fits for Godsakes. He would have opposing centers salivating in the NBA.
LOL - I understand he isn't prototypical - but he's very talented. Funny that Otule gave Gardner fits, yet Gardner got way more minutes than Otule? Hmm. Interesting. Gardner's D may leave a lot to be desired....but he is such an incredibly efficient Offensive player...and it is much easier to impact a game being an offensive force, than it is defensively....which is why Davante got nearly twice the minutes Otule did. The same should have applied to Burton last season...especially since Buzz was so hell bent on starting a backcourt incredibly limited offensively.
Okay...I just feel Gardner was pretty darn effective at the highest level of college ball as a junior - against Gorgi Dieng, Greg Monroe, and a number of other guys in the NBA that he squared off against in the Big East - when guarded 1 on 1.
So I assume you don't think he'll stand a chance of making an NBA team ever, correct?
And btw...where did you hear Otule's size and strength gave him fits?
Saw it with my own eyes at open scrimmages over the years. The last time was Midnight Madness last year. Davante struggled on both ends of the court, eventually moved outside on offense and shot jump/set shots. Chris probably benefitted from knowing all of Davante's favorite moves, but scouts in the NBA will expose you too. IMO he would be overwhelmed physically on the inside in the NBA.
The problem is he was a good, not great, offensive player in college. That would equate to average at best in the NBA. Meanwhile he was a poor college defender. That makes him pretty much unplayable in the NBA unless he improves his D dramatically.
In the end that is a recipe for playing overseas. As far as never making a roster. Never is a strong word, he does have some unique skills, if he busts his ass off to fix all his weaknesses he could make a roster some day. I don't see that happening anytime soon however, if ever.
Here is a side by side comparison of DeJuan Blair and Gardner - granted Blair's numbers were as a sophomore...and I chose to use Gardner's as a Junior as he was playing with better teammates...though his senior numbers were virtually the same...Blair was able to get drafted after leaving early and has found a role on an NBA team...and the two are not THAT different...but Blair is a better rebounder..
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2012-2013&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
You are probably right on DG not making an NBA team at any point...yet if someone gave me 10 to 1 odds, maybe 7 to 1 odds....I'd probably bet $100 on it. Think his chances are probably between 10-30%.
I do disagree though with you, in that I feel Davante was a great offensive player in college. His ability to draw fouls was incredible, as was his ability to finish around the basket.
Here is a side by side comparison of DeJuan Blair and Gardner - granted Blair's numbers were as a sophomore...and I chose to use Gardner's as a Junior as he was playing with better teammates...though his senior numbers were virtually the same...Blair was able to get drafted after leaving early and has found a role on an NBA team...and the two are not THAT different...but Blair is a better rebounder..
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2012-2013&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
You are probably right on DG not making an NBA team at any point...yet if someone gave me 10 to 1 odds, maybe 7 to 1 odds....I'd probably bet $100 on it. Think his chances are probably between 10-30%.
I do disagree though with you, in that I feel Davante was a great offensive player in college. His ability to draw fouls was incredible, as was his ability to finish around the basket.
The stats between the two really aren't remotely close. Blair beats Gardner by a considerable margin in all categories except FT shooting.
Blair averaged 16 pts and 12 rbs per game, and outperformed Gardner on defense by a wide margin.
Gardner averaged 12 pts and 5 rbs.
Gardner and Blair are significantly different. Throw away the numbers. Have you ever seen Blair play?
Blair is fast for a big man and explosive to the rim. I can think of two occasions in which the underside of the rim blocked Davante on a pathetic dunk attempt. Blair is an athlete. Please.
You failed to realize Blair averaged 6 more minutes a game...more than 200 more minutes for the season. Their Points per 40 minutes were virtually identical. You give Gardner 200 more minutes and the numbers get even more favorable as far as FTA...
I don't dispute that Blair is a better rebounder at all.
I guess part of the reason, why in this case I don't buy the 40 minutes per as much is that Gardner couldn't play more than that. His conditioning was such that even at that usage (6 fewer minutes per game), he was exhausted and playing to the max for his conditioning.
Again, Gardner has a solid skill set, unique abilities. Glad he was at MU for 4 years, but he just isn't NBA caliber.
You failed to realize Blair averaged 6 more minutes a game...more than 200 more minutes for the season. Their Points per 40 minutes were virtually identical. You give Gardner 200 more minutes and the numbers get even more favorable as far as FTA...Yep. Not very athletic at all while at Pitt... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxxqEKssvgI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxxqEKssvgI)
I don't dispute that Blair is a better rebounder at all.
Yeah...I saw Blair play a lot at Pitt and he was not a great athlete, nor very explosive to the rim at Pitt. He's evolved into a better athlete as he's gotten into the pros and put the work in.
Sorry, I'm just not ready to throw the towel in on Davante standing no chance to make the league....if he can get super dedicated in his conditioning....and stick with it for a couple of years in the D-League...he might make it....but...it's going to take a lot of discipline on his part.
I don't think Davante is NBA worthy, but this talk of him being "exhausted" is absolute bullsh*t. He was our best player last year by a wide margin, but for some reason Buzz had him sharing minutes with Otule. He was never "exhausted."
So if he wasn't tired, then he was either slow or lazy for stretches for a lot of games. I will let you decide."Hey! Look at the fat guy! Isn't he slow and lazy?"
You failed to realize Blair averaged 6 more minutes a game...more than 200 more minutes for the season. Their Points per 40 minutes were virtually identical. You give Gardner 200 more minutes and the numbers get even more favorable as far as FTA...
I don't dispute that Blair is a better rebounder at all.
Yeah...I saw Blair play a lot at Pitt and he was not a great athlete, nor very explosive to the rim at Pitt. He's evolved into a better athlete as he's gotten into the pros and put the work in.
Sorry, I'm just not ready to throw the towel in on Davante standing no chance to make the league....if he can get super dedicated in his conditioning....and stick with it for a couple of years in the D-League...he might make it....but...it's going to take a lot of discipline on his part.
I think you are "misremembering" Blair at Pitt. He authored numerous violent, spectacular dunks. Davante barely can get the ball over the rim.Didn't Blair also have some kind of degenerative knee condition that saw his draft stock fall? Davante could've been a Blair type. It didn't happen for whatever reason. Still one of my all time favorites at MU and maybe the most likable player since Novak.
Anyway, we'll have the answer soon enough without having to speculate.
Blair was good enough to get drafted, good enough to get minutes for a great Spurs team, good enough for the Mavericks to want to acquire him, and good enough to get significant minutes for a Mavs team that almost beat the Spurs in the playoffs in part because Blair played well. He seems poised to have a long, fruitful NBA career.
Davante wasn't drafted and does not seem to be generating any serious interest among GMs and coaches.
Let's see where each is two years from now.
Didn't Blair also have some kind of degenerative knee condition that saw his draft stock fall? Davante could've been a Blair type. It didn't happen for whatever reason. Still one of my all time favorites at MU and maybe the most likable player since Novak.
I think you are "misremembering" Blair at Pitt. He authored numerous violent, spectacular dunks. Davante barely can get the ball over the rim.
Anyway, we'll have the answer soon enough without having to speculate.
Blair was good enough to get drafted, good enough to get minutes for a great Spurs team, good enough for the Mavericks to want to acquire him, and good enough to get significant minutes for a Mavs team that almost beat the Spurs in the playoffs in part because Blair played well. He seems poised to have a long, fruitful NBA career.
Davante wasn't drafted and does not seem to be generating any serious interest among GMs and coaches.
Let's see where each is two years from now.
Now...it's been 5 years since he's been in the league...this last season being the 5th - he was drafted in 2009...and he's just now starting to make his mark...so he wasn't an immediate sensation in the NBA by any stretch of the imagination.
Actually Blair played more mpg his first three seasons (all in San Antonio) than he has his last two (last year in SA and first year in Dallas). He's been a regular rotation guy pretty much every year he has been in the league.
Blair did not author many violent, spectacular dunks while at Pitt - The highlight clip - which are his best plays from his last season in college...have about 5 dunks for the whole year...none of which are incredibly spectacular. Gardner has dunked on a number of occasions at MU...Blair was not expolsive at Pitt....however..I will say Blair is a little bit more athletic than Gardner - but it isn't much of a difference...not during their college careers..There is no way you can watch that video and still claim that Blair isn't a great deal more athletic than Davante.
Now...it's been 5 years since he's been in the league...this last season being the 5th - he was drafted in 2009...and he's just now starting to make his mark...so he wasn't an immediate sensation in the NBA by any stretch of the imagination.
There is no way you can watch that video and still claim that Blair isn't a great deal more athletic than Davante.
Unless you are trying to bend reality into a narrative you have created for yourself.
Vander a DNP-coaches decision tonight. Saw almost no playing time in the summer league for the Spurs.
Watching Jamil (Wiz) vs. Heat (on replay).He had another nice game tonight and so did Davante.
Still looks like he doesn't have it in the belly.
He had another nice game tonight and so did Davante.
That's gotta be frustrating. Feel bad for the kid.
I expect him to garner some serious minutes when he's 3 years older; the Spurs like their players mature.
Now...it's been 5 years since he's been in the league.Really, all that needs to be said.
Really, all that needs to be said.
Take off the homer glasses. Blair is, and has been, a "better" player in every sense of the word. It's not even close.
Really, all that needs to be said.
Take off the homer glasses. Blair is, and has been, a "better" player in every sense of the word. It's not even close.
Dajuan Blair was a monster in college. Only reason he slipped low in the draft was because of his knees.
He is a totally different category of player than Davante, and I love Davante.
Okay...hard to argue against your points...in that Blair does have 5 years in the NBA...and Davante will struggle to make it. I was comparing their college production...as sophomores...the numbers were pretty darn close...other than Blair getting 200 more minutes...you look at things from a per minute played basis...and all of the number other than rebounding...are in Davante's favor...when looked at head to head as sophomores in college with Blair...
Blair I'll concede is a better overall athlete in that he's a little quicker and can jump better than Davante....but Davante also has about 30 pounds on Blair that work to Davante's benefit offensively as far as creating space/scoring.
You guys want to offer 7 or 10-1 odds Gardner wont' make the NBA ever...I'll take your odds...PM me..if interested..
So Blair shouldn't be credited at all for being in condition to play an extra 6 minutes/game? Isn't that part of the game of basketball, being conditioned? Someone who can only play 25 minutes per game is not as good/valuable as someone who can play 31 minutes per game if their stats per 40 minutes are equal, because the guy who can play more minutes is producing more overall and producing for a longer time. Otherwise Greg Oden shouldn't be considered a bust, he gets a dunk about every 45 seconds for his career. It's not his fault he's never on the court, is it?
Gardner could have played 6 more minutes a game as a sophomore - it would have been just fine. Just like he could have played 30 minutes a game last season...but Buzz chose not to. It was discussed in length here about what Gardner's ORatings were in games he played more than 30 minutes versus those he played less - and as I recall his O-Rating was better in the games he played more than 30, than those he didn't....but then those of you who just disagree to disagree..then grasp at the next straws and try to find other arguments to support your false position...and then I think it became..well in games Gardner played back to back 30+minutes his O Rating was less...he needed more time to recover, etc...and that wasn't exactly true either.
I'll concede Blair was a better rebounder at the college level than was Gardner, and a little more athletic - but beyond that - they are very similar players. Blair has made it in the NBA..so clearly he's better than Davante...and some of you don't think Davante stands a snowballs chance in hell in making an NBA team ever...I simply feel that he has a 10-30% chance of making a team one day. Which is why I'd take 10-1, or 7-1 betting odds...
I see Vander Blue out there taking a bunch of "Im going for mine" Shots..... Today for the Spurs Summer League team...
when looked at head to head as sophomores in college with Blair...
Gardner could have played 6 more minutes a game as a sophomore - it would have been just fine. Just like he could have played 30 minutes a game last season...but Buzz chose not to. It was discussed in length here about what Gardner's ORatings were in games he played more than 30 minutes versus those he played less - and as I recall his O-Rating was better in the games he played more than 30, than those he didn't....but then those of you who just disagree to disagree..then grasp at the next straws and try to find other arguments to support your false position...and then I think it became..well in games Gardner played back to back 30+minutes his O Rating was less...he needed more time to recover, etc...and that wasn't exactly true either.
I see Vander Blue out there taking a bunch of "Im going for mine" Shots..... Today for the Spurs Summer League team...Isn't that what summer league is?
Let's do that.
Physical stats
DB: 6"7, 265, 19 years old, more atheltic
DG: 6"8, 290, 19 years old, less athletic
I see Vander Blue out there taking a bunch of "Im going for mine" Shots..... Today for the Spurs Summer League team...You mean the game where he went 2-4 from the field and 5-7 from the line? Yeah, he went nuts... ::)
Let's do that.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2011-2012&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
Physical stats
DB: 6"7, 265, 19 years old, more atheltic
DG: 6"8, 290, 19 years old, less athletic
Minutes Per Game:
DB: 27.2
DG: 19.1
Points Per 40:
DB: 23.1
DG: 19.8
Offensive Rating:
DB: 127.3
DG: 118.4
FG Pct:
DB: 59.3%
DG: 56.1%
Effective FG Pct:
DB: 59.3%
DG: 56%
FT Pct:
DB: 60.5%
DG: 75.5%
Free Throw Rate:
DB: 42.5
DG: 67.5
Rebounds per 40:
DB: 18.2
DG: 10.9
Rebounding Pct:
DB: 23.7% (o) 27.7% (d)
DG: 15.7% (o) 14.9% (o)
Assists per 40:
DB: 1.8
DG: 1.5
A/TO Ratio:
DB: 1.0
DG: 0.6
Steals per 40:
DB: 2.3
DG: 1.6
Steal Pct:
DB: 3.3
DG: 2.3
Blocks per 40:
DB: 1.4
DG: 0.4
Block Pct:
DB: 3.8%
DG: 0.9%
Turnovers per 40:
DB: 1.8
DG: 2.6
Turnover Pct:
DB: 10.6%
DG: 15.7%
Fouls per 40:
DB: 4.0
DG: 5.4
I love me some Davante Gardner. But Blair destroys him. You can say they have similar builds and similar styles of play, but Blair was and always will be the better college sophomore.
Is the debate over now?
Let's do that.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2011-2012&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
Physical stats
DB: 6"7, 265, 19 years old, more atheltic
DG: 6"8, 290, 19 years old, less athletic
Minutes Per Game:
DB: 27.2
DG: 19.1
Points Per 40:
DB: 23.1
DG: 19.8
Offensive Rating:
DB: 127.3
DG: 118.4
FG Pct:
DB: 59.3%
DG: 56.1%
Effective FG Pct:
DB: 59.3%
DG: 56%
FT Pct:
DB: 60.5%
DG: 75.5%
Free Throw Rate:
DB: 42.5
DG: 67.5
Rebounds per 40:
DB: 18.2
DG: 10.9
Rebounding Pct:
DB: 23.7% (o) 27.7% (d)
DG: 15.7% (o) 14.9% (o)
Assists per 40:
DB: 1.8
DG: 1.5
A/TO Ratio:
DB: 1.0
DG: 0.6
Steals per 40:
DB: 2.3
DG: 1.6
Steal Pct:
DB: 3.3
DG: 2.3
Blocks per 40:
DB: 1.4
DG: 0.4
Block Pct:
DB: 3.8%
DG: 0.9%
Turnovers per 40:
DB: 1.8
DG: 2.6
Turnover Pct:
DB: 10.6%
DG: 15.7%
Fouls per 40:
DB: 4.0
DG: 5.4
I love me some Davante Gardner. But Blair destroys him. You can say they have similar builds and similar styles of play, but Blair was and always will be the better college sophomore.
Is the debate over now?
Let's do that.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2011-2012&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
Physical stats
DB: 6"7, 265, 19 years old, more atheltic
DG: 6"8, 290, 19 years old, less athletic
Minutes Per Game:
DB: 27.2
DG: 19.1
Points Per 40:
DB: 23.1
DG: 19.8
Offensive Rating:
DB: 127.3
DG: 118.4
FG Pct:
DB: 59.3%
DG: 56.1%
Effective FG Pct:
DB: 59.3%
DG: 56%
FT Pct:
DB: 60.5%
DG: 75.5%
Free Throw Rate:
DB: 42.5
DG: 67.5
Rebounds per 40:
DB: 18.2
DG: 10.9
Rebounding Pct:
DB: 23.7% (o) 27.7% (d)
DG: 15.7% (o) 14.9% (o)
Assists per 40:
DB: 1.8
DG: 1.5
A/TO Ratio:
DB: 1.0
DG: 0.6
Steals per 40:
DB: 2.3
DG: 1.6
Steal Pct:
DB: 3.3
DG: 2.3
Blocks per 40:
DB: 1.4
DG: 0.4
Block Pct:
DB: 3.8%
DG: 0.9%
Turnovers per 40:
DB: 1.8
DG: 2.6
Turnover Pct:
DB: 10.6%
DG: 15.7%
Fouls per 40:
DB: 4.0
DG: 5.4
I love me some Davante Gardner. But Blair destroys him. You can say they have similar builds and similar styles of play, but Blair was and always will be the better college sophomore.
Is the debate over now?
Good stuff...and my bad on the recollection of side by side sophomore to sophomore...when I looked..it was Gardner as a Junior to Blair as a sophomore - which is where I derived the 200 minute difference...when in reality the difference between their sophomore year's was over 400 minute disparity...and as a result...I think it further makes for the comparison to be not as statistically relevant.
Here is a link to Gardner as a Senior to Blair as as sophmore - only use it because Gardner got 850 minutes as a senior..the most in his career....Blair still got 100 more for the year at 952...but this and Davante's Junior year tell a different story...
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2013-2014&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
Dear Lord, talk about grasping at straws. Why not just bring up Davante's junior year at Marquette vs. Blair's 7th grade middle school stats? What the flying eff. You say a few posts ago that everyone in their right mind who says Blair was a much better college player just jumps from one argument to the next as you factually prove them wrong, and you, fighting alone, go from "sophomore to sophomore per 40 minute stats because that's more factually equal" to "junior to sophomore per 40 minutes because the minutes are closer" to "the minutes aren't close enough, which is why the per 40 minutes aren't relevant" to "sophomore to senior per 40." Keep on trying Ners.
You failed to realize Blair averaged 6 more minutes a game...more than 200 more minutes for the season. Their Points per 40 minutes were virtually identical. You give Gardner 200 more minutes and the numbers get even more favorable as far as FTA...I agree with you that if Davante is disciplined and works on his conditioning he may eventually earn a spot. It is a long shot for sure. The nice thing about the summer league is it shows Davante exactly what he has to do to make it. He has to be willing to put in the hard work.He brings some nice assets to the game but he has to eliminate his negatives. No one said it was going to be easy. He has to want it though. Wanting it means a commitment to defense and rebounding. I don't know if Europe or the D League is the better venue to hone these aspects of his game.
I don't dispute that Blair is a better rebounder at all.
Yeah...I saw Blair play a lot at Pitt and he was not a great athlete, nor very explosive to the rim at Pitt. He's evolved into a better athlete as he's gotten into the pros and put the work in.
Sorry, I'm just not ready to throw the towel in on Davante standing no chance to make the league....if he can get super dedicated in his conditioning....and stick with it for a couple of years in the D-League...he might make it....but...it's going to take a lot of discipline on his part.
Good stuff...and my bad on the recollection of side by side sophomore to sophomore...when I looked..it was Gardner as a Junior to Blair as a sophomore - which is where I derived the 200 minute difference...when in reality the difference between their sophomore year's was over 400 minute disparity...and as a result...I think it further makes for the comparison to be not as statistically relevant.
Here is a link to Gardner as a Senior to Blair as as sophmore - only use it because Gardner got 850 minutes as a senior..the most in his career....Blair still got 100 more for the year at 952...but this and Davante's Junior year tell a different story...
http://statsheet.com/mcb/players/compare?add=davante-gardner&davante-gardner=2013-2014&i=1&p1=dejuan-blair
Even Sophomore to Junior, Blair is the much better player:
Pts per 40:
Blair 23.11
DG 21.5
Rb per 40:
Blair 18.2
DG 9.0
Assists per 40:
Blair 1.8
DG 1.7
Steals per 40:
Blair 2.3
DG 1.2
Blks per 40:
Blair 1.4
DG 1.1
TO's per 40:
Blair 1.8
DG 2.9
DG wins still on FT's but that is it, and he had an additional year of maturity and experience.
The only area Blair is MUCH better than Gardner is rebounding. Those other difference above are so miniscule...and that's the point...they were very similar players in college. Gardner always has been able to draw fouls at a higher rate than DeJuan Blair ever did...and then of course Gardner shoots those FTS at a much better percentage. YOu could argue thatfor as big as the disparity is between Blair's rebounding ability and Gardners...so is Garnder's ability to draw fouls and get to the FT line compared to Blair. Both of those qualities have high value - ability to rebound...and ability to draw fouls...
I'm not trying to argue if Blair is the better player. He got drafted. Been in the league 5 years. Gardner has a long way to go. I'm simply saying it isn't totally inconceivable...that is all.
You mean the game where he went 2-4 from the field and 5-7 from the line? Yeah, he went nuts... ::)
How 'bout this stat:
Blair drafted despite shot knees.
Davante not even an afterthought of any NBA GM.
Let's start arguing Grant Hill vs. Jamil next.
Who was counting lol. I only seen him play like 2-4 minutes and didnt pass once lol. His best chance to make it to the league woulda been last year as a Senior thru MU.
Buycks expected to be released by the Raptors, but to be pursued by other teams.Who are the likely candidates?
http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/234360/Raptors-To-Release-Dwight-Buycks