Praise for DJO

[dwaderoy2004]

Fran Fraschilla had this to say about DJO's performance at the Lebron James Skills Academy:

Others Who Impressed

Darius Johnson-Odom, 6-2, Senior, Marquette
I don't know if Johnson-Odom will be a first-round selection or even get drafted, but he will play in the NBA because he is a junk yard dog and a superb athlete. He was among a number of solid Big East guards who impressed at the camp, like UConn's Shabazz Napier, Syracuse's Scoop Jardine and Maalik Wayns of Villanova. They will battle each other all season.

First of all, Johnson-Odom's mental approach, I believe, comes from being an obscure national recruit after one season in junior college and it carries over to how he approaches the game. His mentality of toughness along with his combination of strength and quickness makes him an outstanding defender. It is something he can hang his hat on this coming season with NBA scouts and, more importantly, his coach, Buzz Williams.

He carries over the aggressiveness on the defensive end with an attacking style on offense. Although Johnson-Odom is a left-handed jump shooter, he is ambidextrous around the rim and he does get to the rim with force, especially in the open court. And, while he didn't shoot from the outside as well as I have seen him, he is a career 41 percent 3-point shooter at Marquette.

Johnson-Odom should be a huge catalyst for Williams' team this season as one of the Big East's best guards. Based on what I saw this past week, he will be on an NBA scout's "must see" list as a result.

[Abode4life]

Here is the link for anyone who is an insider...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/blog?name=nba_draft&id=6756625

Everything relating to DJO was posted above, except there was an excerpt about Trevor...


Trevor Mbakwe, 6-8, Senior, Minnesota
Mbakwe is not as physically imposing as Thomas Robinson but possesses the same relentless motor and a ridiculous 7-4 wing span. Watching those two battle for rebounds last week was fun.

One of my NBA friends describes Mbakwe as "undersized and underskilled" by NBA power forward standards, but there are a number of NBA players who have had solid, workman-like careers in the league with the same characteristics. If "playing hard" is a skill, as I believe it is, the attributes that enabled him to average a double-double in the Big Ten will be enough to get him a long look from NBA scouts this season.

[GGGG]

"An outstanding defender."

While I certainly think he has the tools to be an outstanding defender, I don't think he has been much better than average.  He improved from year one to year two...and hopefully he can make a similar jump this year.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

Sounds like Fran thinks he has made such an improvement to attain "must see" status

[Golden Avalanche]

"An outstanding defender."

While I certainly think he has the tools to be an outstanding defender, I don't think he has been much better than average.  He improved from year one to year two...and hopefully he can make a similar jump this year.

Thought the same when I read that.

The tools are there. I'm looking at DJO to have a BE POY consideration-type season. Mind you, he won't win the award but I want him in the discussion of guys who the analysts would say deserve it. That's the key to success next year.

[T-Bone]

http://www.foxsportswisconsin.com/07/11/11/Marquettes-Johnson-Odom-beat-LeBron-twic/landing_marquette.html?blockID=538165&feedID=9250

Doesn't really say much, but more on DJO at the camp.

[bilsu]

Nice, but if I understood it correctly there were 20 college players and 60 high school players. DJO is to strong for any high school player to handle.

[Dawson Rental]

Fran Fraschilla had this to say about DJO's performance at the Lebron James Skills Academy:

Others Who Impressed

Darius Johnson-Odom, 6-2, Senior, Marquette
I don't know if Johnson-Odom will be a first-round selection or even get drafted, but he will play in the NBA because he is a junk yard dog and a superb athlete. He was among a number of solid Big East guards who impressed at the camp, like UConn's Shabazz Napier, Syracuse's Scoop Jardine and Maalik Wayns of Villanova. They will battle each other all season.

First of all, Johnson-Odom's mental approach, I believe, comes from being an obscure national recruit after one season in junior college and it carries over to how he approaches the game. His mentality of toughness along with his combination of strength and quickness makes him an outstanding defender. It is something he can hang his hat on this coming season with NBA scouts and, more importantly, his coach, Buzz Williams.

He carries over the aggressiveness on the defensive end with an attacking style on offense. Although Johnson-Odom is a left-handed jump shooter, he is ambidextrous around the rim and he does get to the rim with force, especially in the open court. And, while he didn't shoot from the outside as well as I have seen him, he is a career 41 percent 3-point shooter at Marquette.

Johnson-Odom should be a huge catalyst for Williams' team this season as one of the Big East's best guards. Based on what I saw this past week, he will be on an NBA scout's "must see" list as a result.

With the 30th pick of the first round of the 2012 NBA draft .......

[RawdogDX]

Do you think DJO's draft stock will be effected by Butler and Lazar's play this year, how much?

I think that most GM's will keep those things at a disconnect but it only takes one who does think it matters.  With that being the case it could be by a lot, especially once wade and wes get thrown in the coversation.

[Dawson Rental]

Honestly, I think that DJO will come up too short in both height and point guard skills to sneak into the first round of the NBA draft.  However, since MU has owned the 30th spot for a couple of years, a guy can dream.

[wojosdojo]

I've always loved Fran and how much he respects MU. Hes one of the few guys who will go out on a limb and tell you why Marquette will achieve more.

[Lennys Tap]

Do you think DJO's draft stock will be effected by Butler and Lazar's play this year, how much?

I think that most GM's will keep those things at a disconnect but it only takes one who does think it matters.  With that being the case it could be by a lot, especially once wade and wes get thrown in the coversation.

Wes helped Lazar. Wes and Lazar helped Jimmy. Wes, Lazar and Jimmy will help whoever is next. The NBA is a couple of handfuls of stars surrounded by lots of role players. It will help that Buzz and MU earns a rep for developing such players because after the lottery the next 50-100 guys look a lot alike on paper.

Ironically, I don't think there's much "trickle down" from Wade because the stars are and will always be view in a class by themselves.

[bilsu]

Honestly, I think that DJO will come up too short in both height and point guard skills to sneak into the first round of the NBA draft.  However, since MU has owned the 30th spot for a couple of years, a guy can dream.

I think that is the key for DJO. He does not have to play point this year, but he needs to be able to show that he could become a point guard down the road. His draft status will depend on him showing this at NBA tryouts.

[Blackhat]

Shooting consistency is DJO's next step if he is to be our next NBA baller.

He should also be going to the line more than he does, he does not take advantage enough when his man jumps on his killer head fake.

[Blackhat]

Eddie House was a 37 pick.   That's how I see DJO right now with a little more drive and pull up game....I don't think he'll ever have the skill set or be asked to be a pg in the NBA. 



Role player, shooter/creator like House is how I see DJO if he's to make it.

[brewcity77]

"An outstanding defender."

While I certainly think he has the tools to be an outstanding defender, I don't think he has been much better than average.  He improved from year one to year two...and hopefully he can make a similar jump this year.

The tools are definitely there, though. I remember the job he did on Dominique Jones of USF as a sophomore, absolutely shut down a guy who was averaging 27.5 ppg in his past 10 games, and had averaged 35 ppg in a 4-game stretch that included wins over Pitt and at Georgetown. Buzz called DJO the player of the game despite scoring 3 points because he manned Jones most of the game.

If he can turn in a few performances like that again, along with simply above-average defending most of the time, he could be a Big East POY contender.

[tower912]

With one caveat....he can't only score 3 pts while playing lockdown d this coming year.    Needs to be the man on offense, too.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Eddie House was a 37 pick.   That's how I see DJO right now with a little more drive and pull up game....I don't think he'll ever have the skill set or be asked to be a pg in the NBA. 



Role player, shooter/creator like House is how I see DJO if he's to make it.

+1.

If he makes the league, it's going to be because he can guard both guard positions, is athletic in the open floor and can knock down some jumpers.

I can't imagine him making any sort of PG transition.