Almost nothing again from Dwight Burke

[bma725]

My points about Dwight Burke are that he is too deficient in too many areas and that he has shown almost no improvement over four full seasons.

I find these facts odd and frustrating. Don't you?

I know Burke is not a standout in any aspect of the game, but he seems to be struggling today just as he did as a freshman and a sophomore. Certainly the statistics would indicate this is true.

This Marquette team could be a powerhouse if it had even a "B+" or maybe even a "B" big man.

At the risk of being repetitive, when Burke is on the floor, it often seems like MU is playing four on five.

I know Burke is who and what he is. But his per-game patterns of scoring almost no points, grabbing less than a handful of rebounds and committing too many fouls, oftentimes early in the contest, are not where Burke should be in the twilight of his collegiate basketball career.

Again, your problem is that you blame Burke for this, with the assumption that he's not doing something to improve and if he just worked harder, or just worked smarter or just did whatever it is that he isn't doing he'd be the big man you think he should be.  The reality is far different. 

No coach, even John Wooden himself is going to turn Burke into a B+ big man.  No amount of desire by Burke to improve his game is going to change the fact that he's just physically limited as a basketball player and reached his ceiling a long time ago.  He's not tall(more like 6'6 than 6'8), he's not an explosive leaper in terms of height or quickness of jump, he's not fast, he's not smooth when running the court, he doesn't have a high basketball IQ and he's got bad hands.  Those aren't things that coaching or player development or player desire are going to change.  They are what they are pretty much forever.

If you want to blame someone for MU not having a B+ big man, blame Crean for never recruiting one.  Don't blame a kid who's poured his heart out for MU ever day for the last 4+ when he doesn't become something he was never capable of becoming in the first place.  He deserves a lot better than that.

[Wareagle]

Again, your problem is that you blame Burke for this, with the assumption that he's not doing something to improve and if he just worked harder, or just worked smarter or just did whatever it is that he isn't doing he'd be the big man you think he should be.  The reality is far different. 

No coach, even John Wooden himself is going to turn Burke into a B+ big man.  No amount of desire by Burke to improve his game is going to change the fact that he's just physically limited as a basketball player and reached his ceiling a long time ago.  He's not tall(more like 6'6 than 6'8), he's not an explosive leaper in terms of height or quickness of jump, he's not fast, he's not smooth when running the court, he doesn't have a high basketball IQ and he's got bad hands.  Those aren't things that coaching or player development or player desire are going to change.  They are what they are pretty much forever.

If you want to blame someone for MU not having a B+ big man, blame Crean for never recruiting one.  Don't blame a kid who's poured his heart out for MU ever day for the last 4+ when he doesn't become something he was never capable of becoming in the first place.  He deserves a lot better than that.

I second everything BMA said.  Anything Burke can't do is not for want of effort.  If Burke could have willed his way into becoming an All Big East big man he would have done that by his Junior year.  Be happy we have a player who accepts his role for the good of the team, leaves the scoring to the guys who are more efficient and never has caused problems once during his time here.

[MU_Warrior44]

Bma that was a perfect post. I agree entirely with it. Well said.

[MU Avenue]

I am only saying that I find it extremely frustrating that the Dwight Burke we see playing today bears too much resemblance to the Burke we all saw playing as a freshman ... and a sophomore ... and a junior. ...

Burke has improved in ways that are difficult to discern, which is unfortunate for him and the team.

Yes, Burke's lack of development is attributable in large part to the seemingly inadequate coaching and instruction he has received over his years at Marquette.

But a grown man -- be he 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds or more -- also has to do what it takes to get better.

I read here how Burke "poured his heart out for MU every day." While I wish nothing but the best for Burke, how do we know he gave his all to become a better basketball player for Marquette.

I wish Burke every success now and down the road. I am grateful for all he has done for my favorite university and athletic team.

His playing days are not over, of course. Nothing would make me happier than to see Dwight Burke go out with a huge bang.

[CAINMUTINY]

The kid has played to the maximum of his ability and has given everything he's had to Marquette....

Enough with this nonsense.....Would you talk this away about YOUR son? Have some respect!!! 

[GOMU1104]

With the obvious amount of playing time available, it is mind boggling that a legit center hasn't been recruited. Willing to give Buzz a little more time to get this done. His former boss is 100% to blame for the current state of affairs. Then again, maybe the 5's out there were smarter than we think when Crean approached them.

So do you give him 100% credit for getting the players that are here...DJ, Rel, Wes, Lazar, etc?

Admit he got that right...

[shaquilvaine]

Gentlemen, the ignore poster option is there for a reason.  I have put it to use again.  Now is not the time to "hate" on D Burke.  He is what he is.  bma sums it up well.  Without him we don't beat USU. 

[Lennys Tap]

I am only saying that I find it extremely frustrating that the Dwight Burke we see playing today bears too much resemblance to the Burke we all saw playing as a freshman ... and a sophomore ... and a junior. ...

Burke has improved in ways that are difficult to discern, which is unfortunate for him and the team.

Yes, Burke's lack of development is attributable in large part to the seemingly inadequate coaching and instruction he has received over his years at Marquette.

But a grown man -- be he 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds or more -- also has to do what it takes to get better.

I read here how Burke "poured his heart out for MU every day." While I wish nothing but the best for Burke, how do we know he gave his all to become a better basketball player for Marquette.

I wish Burke every success now and down the road. I am grateful for all he has done for my favorite university and athletic team.

His playing days are not over, of course. Nothing would make me happier than to see Dwight Burke go out with a huge bang.

As bma pointed out, Burke arrived at MU with a very low ceiling. Undersized, Unathletic (can't run or jump) and unskilled (can't catch or shoot). That he is a contributor at all is testimony to his effort and work ethic. There are comparable players on the end of the bench of Horizon League teams.

[bma725]

I am only saying that I find it extremely frustrating that the Dwight Burke we see playing today bears too much resemblance to the Burke we all saw playing as a freshman ... and a sophomore ... and a junior. ...

Burke has improved in ways that are difficult to discern, which is unfortunate for him and the team.

Yes, Burke's lack of development is attributable in large part to the seemingly inadequate coaching and instruction he has received over his years at Marquette.

But a grown man -- be he 6-foot-6 or 6-foot-8 and 250 pounds or more -- also has to do what it takes to get better.

I read here how Burke "poured his heart out for MU every day." While I wish nothing but the best for Burke, how do we know he gave his all to become a better basketball player for Marquette.

I wish Burke every success now and down the road. I am grateful for all he has done for my favorite university and athletic team.

His playing days are not over, of course. Nothing would make me happier than to see Dwight Burke go out with a huge bang.

Once again, you're assumption in bold is that he's not doing something to make himself better.  Talk to Buzz, talk to Coach Layer, talk to Crean and Panaggio and Sichting and anyone else that's coached Burke since he's been there.  They'll tell you the same thing. Dwight Burke is an extremely hard worker and does his best every day to get better at MU.

Your assumption that he is not putting in the work is completely ridiculous, completely classless and way off base. Dwight Burke works harder than you'll ever know and you should be ashamed of yourself to suggest otherwise.