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Date Posted: 22:42:38 03/12/03 Wed
Author: JCM
Subject: GAI Overrated at this point

All year I have been listening to the praise heaped on Deng Gai and I have been asking myself, am I missing something? Yes Deng Gai is a solid contributor. Yes, he is not only the premier shot blockers in the league, he is also one of the best in the country. With that being said, what do you look for out of a center? Rebounding? He doesn't even average half the number or rebounds Darrin Phillip averaged. Scoring? He is not in the top 10 in the league is scoring or field goal percentage. He doesn't have the post up moves of Garcia. He doesn't have the physical strength of reaves or mendez and consquently Fairfield can't match up well with even Niagara, forget about big east teams. Gai gets pushed around and out rebounded by smaller guys.

Do I want Gai to stay? Absolutely. He is a good player who will continue to develop and has the potential to reach the NBA. But he needs to bulk up, develop low post moves, and learn not to block every shot so that he is in a position to get an occassional rebound. He has a lot of learning to do just to be the top player in the Maac. He's not there yet.

He is goes elsewhere he will loose a years eligibility, play no more than he played at Fairfield, probably less, and face less big competion. Over the next two years Fairfield will play Duke twice, St. John's twice, and at least 2 other games every year possibly as many has 4 against big time non league opponents. Is Gai really going to play more that many more big time opponents in one year at Michigan?

Frankly, it would be foolhardy for him to transfer but this gai clearly has some issue, either playing time, how is he being used, bad feelings about the suspention, etc. Something is on his mind and TOT needs to address it. But don't overestimate the impact his leaving will have on Fu and don't underestimate what a mistake it would be for Gai to leave.

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Replies:

[> Re: GAI Overrated at this point -- Stag 92, 06:55:38 03/13/03 Thu

Hit it right on the head - I am also wondering who he thinks he is. Further, this talk about Manute Bol as a coach? Give me a break. He is a freak of nature as far as his size which allowed him to play in the NBA. Did he have any skills at all - NO!!!!! Let's please knock this talk off about having Manute coach to keep a player!


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[> [> Check the Facts - Gai is #1 Defensive rebounder in the MAAC -- JoeStag, 07:37:55 03/13/03 Thu

While you can have your opinion on Gai's rebounding, the Stats show that he is #1 in defensive rebounding in The MAAC.

I do agree that Gai needs to improve in a lot of areas, but you fail to mention that he has tremendous defensive impact on the Game ..... no one is even close to him in altering shots, and that is his biggest asset. So to say that he is overrated because of some of things he does not do, is riduculous. He is a unique talent, and is one of the main reasons that we won 19 games this year.

But, Gai still needs to improve. He did this year, and he will next year..... but he needs to get the PT and that's what Faiorfield has to offer..... in addition to that he will be the main man on offense..... which I don't think that would happen at Michigan. Nobody is saying he is NBA material right now, but he definitely has the talent.

Rate him on what he does do, not what he is still learning to do.


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[> [> [> Rebounding -- JCM, 09:44:33 03/13/03 Thu

JS -with all due respect, I am not arguing that Deng Gai doesn't get any rebounds, but did he once get 14 rebounds in a game this year. Darrin Phillip AVERAGED 14 rebounds a game and was not good enough to make it to the NBA. He did this while being 4 inches shorter than GAI.

I am not saying Gai is not a good player, simply stating he does not yet demonstrate to me a level of play that matches the hype he receives. Fairfield will not be competitive with schools with a large front line (i.e. Niagara) unless Gai bulks up and improves. If he went to Michigan half the power forwards in the conference would outplay him. He'd be just another player in the big east, nothing special...


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[> [> [> [> Re: Rebounding -- Champ, 11:14:25 03/13/03 Thu

Seems to me that Gai has always shown more comfort playing outside. I believe he'd rather take a three than block a shot.


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