Why does everyone like Gardner so much??

[i_miss_angelos]

Sorry, but I just don't see him as the contributor that TV analysts and a lot of people on here seem to think he is.

He just comes off as lazy.  Lazy getting up/down the court, extremely lazy on the defensive end (hence all the sloppy fouls under the basket) and nowhere near what you'd call an offensive "spark plug". 

I think he looks great when he happens to get the ball down low.  Brief flashes of brilliance with his post moves.

All in all, though, I think his offensive production and rebounding is not up to his physical potential, and the points he does score on offense he pretty much gives right back to the opponent on the defensive end via fouls or missed assignments under the hoop.

Anyone else with me here?

[tower912]

DG is effective in smaller, shorter doses, like the left handed reliever who comes in to get one guy out.   His effectiveness suffers diminishing returns anytime he is on the floor for more than 3-4 straight minutes or anything beyond 20-22 for the game.    This is why we miss Chris so much.   And why with JWilson only playing 14 minutes, DG's lack of effectiveness down the stretch was pretty much inevitable.    brewcity77 was right.   

[esotericmindguy]

I don't think he's lazy, he's working hard.....he just doesn't have the quickest feet. I can remember last year his defense was so bad that Buzz couldn't keep him on the floor at all, so he's definitely improved.

[AZWarrior]

When he's fresh he's very effective in the low post.  I wish we'd use him more in fact, by getting him the ball down low.  He's able to score, draw fouls and he's a good (and un-selfish) passer if the other team collapses on him.

[ecompt]

Agree completely that he is best used in 3-minute spurts. I have never seen a college player look so exhausted after a few minutes on the court. Of course, our run-run ststem is partly the reason.

[tower912]

I agree with everything you say, AZ, but the most crucial phrase in your post is "when he's fresh".

[i_miss_angelos]

... our run-run ststem is partly the reason.

I don't think that's an excuse anymore. He's had about 18 months on campus, and while he has slimmed up some, his conditioning should not be an issue.  Our style hasn't changed since he got here.  Either he's not putting in the effort to get in shape (unmotivated, imo), or he's just not the top-shape athlete we expect all our recruits to be.

[tower912]

His conditioning is much improved.   He just started from further behind.

[MerrittsMustache]

I don't think that's an excuse anymore. He's had about 18 months on campus, and while he has slimmed up some, his conditioning should not be an issue.  Our style hasn't changed since he got here.  Either he's not putting in the effort to get in shape (unmotivated, imo), or he's just not the top-shape athlete we expect all our recruits to be.

I can almost guarantee he's in better shape than anyone on this board. However, he's still hauling around nearly 300 pounds. Great shape or not, that takes its toll.

[i_miss_angelos]

I can almost guarantee he's in better shape than anyone on this board. However, he's still hauling around nearly 300 pounds. Great shape or not, that takes its toll.

Of course he's in better shape than us!  But we need him to be able to keep up with BEAST speeds, not our stunning 8-minute miles on the treadmills in the Rec.  

My point in this, which no one seems to agree with, is that the majority of people are praising him up and down for his contributions, when I think he's average at best.

[MerrittsMustache]

Of course he's in better shape than us!  But we need him to be able to keep up with BEAST speeds, not our stunning 8-minute miles on the treadmills in the Rec.  

My point in this, which no one seems to agree with, is that the majority of people are praising him up and down for his contributions, when I think he's average at best.

He was a recruit with low expectations so anything he contributes is praised relentlessly. He's the bizarro Vander Blue.

[brewcity77]

People like him because he has a great scoring rate. Points make up for a lot if deficiencies. DG is a very valuable player, he just isn't a complete player. Like tower said, he's most effective in small doses. As a 15-20 mpg player, Gardner is NYWarrior's "Force of Nature". But as a 25-30 mpg starter, he runs out of gas.

[Skatastrophy]

DG getting so much playing time this year is going to be really good for our team later this season and the next couple of seasons.  The guy has talent and drive, and PT will only add more drive to get his conditioning in order.

He has the softest touch around the rim that I've seen from an MU big man in ages.  He can also pass brilliantly.  He's really putting a nice game together, it'd just be nice if we didn't *have* to use him for 30 min a game

[RJax55]

People like him because he has a great scoring rate. Points make up for a lot if deficiencies. DG is a very valuable player, he just isn't a complete player. Like tower said, he's most effective in small doses. As a 15-20 mpg player, Gardner is NYWarrior's "Force of Nature". But as a 25-30 mpg starter, he runs out of gas.

Right, DG minutes should be capped at 25. If that means playing Juan a little bit if Wilson is in foul trouble, so be it.

As for the op question, I like Davante because he is efficient. Also, he's MU best offensive rebounder and since only Otule's injury, I feel he has really elevated his game, and more importantly his focus. Other than the Vandy game, DG has been a positive factor in each contest.

[CTWarrior]

I like Gardner because he provides a solid offensive option on a team that desperately needs them.  Not a good defender, but who on this team is?

[nyg]

Because he is the only bigman MU has right now.

[GGGG]

I like Gardner because he provides a solid offensive option on a team that desperately needs them.  Not a good defender, but who on this team is?

Blue and Jamil Wilson...but Wilson has been guarding too many bigs.

[🏀]

Gardner worked his ass off last night every time he was in.

[lab_warrior]

Anyone else with me here?

NOPE.  Just about NO ONE on this board, or anyone with functioning brain capacity, is with you.  First, if you can't see he's a really solid contributor on offense, YOU'RE BLIND.  The guy scores points in the post, something we deperately need every game.

Second, that "lazy" accusation--equal parts untrue, a figment of your imagination, and a touch RAYCESS.  Stunningly, a 6'8", 300 lb guy can't run like a guard.  MAYBE BECAUSE HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO.  Please cite ONE PLAY from last night where he was beaten to his spot by Sims.  You can't.  In a related note, you DID see him step into a passing lane 25 feet from the basket to get a steal, right?

Third, The Big OX/SHEESH wasn't highly recruited, and is still, amazingly, a work in progress.  He's a sophomore PF playing center in the BE conference, and holding his own both rebounding and scoring.  I believe he is EXCEEDING his "physical potential", thanks to good coaching, conditioning by the training staff, and his own work ethic, which would be the exact opposite of "lazy."   

In summary, your critiques of DG are "lazy." 

[ErickJD08]

Because he is the only bigman MU has right now.

Basically this.  He can do things no one else on this team can do.  And he has the best touch for a MU post player since RJax.

[MattyWarrior]

I like Jeronne !

[ringout]

NOPE.  Just about NO ONE on this board, or anyone with functioning brain capacity, is with you.  First, if you can't see he's a really solid contributor on offense, YOU'RE BLIND.  The guy scores points in the post, something we deperately need every game.

Second, that "lazy" accusation--equal parts untrue, a figment of your imagination, and a touch RAYCESS.  Stunningly, a 6'8", 300 lb guy can't run like a guard.  MAYBE BECAUSE HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO.  Please cite ONE PLAY from last night where he was beaten to his spot by Sims.  You can't.  In a related note, you DID see him step into a passing lane 25 feet from the basket to get a steal, right?

Third, The Big OX/SHEESH wasn't highly recruited, and is still, amazingly, a work in progress.  He's a sophomore PF playing center in the BE conference, and holding his own both rebounding and scoring.  I believe he is EXCEEDING his "physical potential", thanks to good coaching, conditioning by the training staff, and his own work ethic, which would be the exact opposite of "lazy."   

In summary, your critiques of DG are "lazy." 

THIS!!

[T-Bone]

Davante is quick, not fast, quick.  If the ball is around him he gets really quick - primarily on offense, but starting to pick it up on defense last few games. 

I think it's a perception thing.  He has a natural slumped shoulder demeanor to him that can be interpreted as being slow or even lazy.  I'd love to see him make a hoop and carry himself tall, but he doesn't.  It's just not the SHEESH way. 

He's getting better.  He's a sophomore. Conditioning is improving.  Defense is improving.  Seems to be a good kid. 

[UticaBusBarn]

Why does everyone like Gardner? Well, let's start with the fact that he does not choke. Otherwise, your comments seem to reflect that you have been lazy and not read the proverbial numbers. It is also likely that you are related to Rumplestiltskin.

[MU82]

I like Gardner and I'm glad he's on our team. That being said, I don't have the same kind of crush on him that many seem to have -- a crush that was especially strong earlier this season. Those who actually thought he should start over Otule long ago learned the error of their ways.

I like that he can score from the post, that he draws fouls, that he mostly makes his FTs (which puts him in the minority on this team) and that he occasionally grabs an offensive board.

I don't like that he can't play more than a few minutes without getting winded, that his defensive footwork is poor, that he often seems anchored to the floor and that he often fails to get position on the defensive boards. (For example, he had one defensive rebound in 31 minutes last night.) I also don't like that he doesn't have a big wingspan, but that's not his fault!

I don't think he's lazy. Because of his foot speed and body language, though, I can see how somebody might think he's lazy.

He's a valuable backup who has been forced to start. The main hope is he'll help us get through this Big East season without Otule and this entire experience will make him better in the future.