MU WINS. JAMES A STUD

[SoCalwarrior]

James has eighteen consecutive points.  Hits a three to win it.

[Tampa Warrior]

Simply incredible. Wow.

[ONeills Barstool]

What a game.  I think I need a defibrillator!  Valpo 80% from behind the arc in the second half....ridiculous

[WashDCWarrior]

If you're going to have a "let down" game, it's better to win it than lose it.

[SoCalwarrior]

Aside from superman's performance in the final 14 minutes or so, a totally different team tonight.  WHo would have thought we'd win based on FTs and rebounds.

[ONeills Barstool]

Agreed!  DJ apparently agreed too.

[MU gimp ONE]

Ooze throwing up a double double and Prince James scoring the last 18... wow.  

I know some people are going to be upset about how close it was, but a win is a win, especially in a trap game like this on the road.

good teams find a way to win ugly games.

[HoopDreams]

He trully is a special basketball player..I admire his ability to take over when we need him. Valpo was lights out shooting 80% for three and 61% from the field..

[SoCalwarrior]

Congrats to those who went to the game.  It must have been amazing to watch James hit shot after shot.  Remember the game where Larry Bird couldn't miss (vs. Pacers I think) and the players on the other team's bench started to react like the fans.  

Like a game within a game.

[Tampa Warrior]

Congrats to those who went to the game.  It must have been amazing to watch James hit shot after shot.  Remember the game where Larry Bird couldn't miss (vs. Pacers I think) and the players on the other team's bench started to react like the fans. 

Like a game within a game.

The Bird game I remember most in that regard was when he went for 60 against the Hawks to reclaim the Celts single-game record (just a matter of days after McHale went for 56).

DJ put on a Bird-like performance tonight.

[mu_hilltopper]

How is 4-13 Bird Like?  .. and I think "hitting shot after shot" is a bit of a reach, since well, he made 4 buckets, and the rest (11) were FTs.   No doubt excited that he hit 11-13 from the line.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited we won, and DJ had 22 points and we needed all of them, especially his last 3 with 3 on the clock.  From listening to the game, it just didn't sound like he had a great game. -- The fact he scored 18 of MU's last 18 just means no one else could hit a freaking bucket.  Had someone else hit one bunny somewhere in there ...

True, I do not know what other mysterious issue was going on, that Crean alluded to, and the lengthy hug from Crean/DJ at the end of the game.  So what do I know.

[SoCalstu09]

nm

[State]

Am I still in the minority here--that James won't go pro after this year?  Maybe just wishful thinking!!

Yes money, agents, media can sway these kids in a hurry but he really seems wrapped up in the whole 'MU Family'...sounds like he was very emotional after the game, always talking about his teammates, crean and family. 

I know I'm in the minority on this one but I don't feel his game is ready for the next step...(trust me, I'm no judge of talent--you should see my Fantasy Football team).

One more year...the team would be unstoppable.

Enjoy the Ride in '06!!

[SoCalwarrior]

Unfortunately, being ready is not a pre requisite that most NBA GMs care about.  It's all about body and potential.  DJ has a ton, but his size may require more than potential.  Chris Paul may have changed some minds, but I think DJ needs a hell of an NCAA tourney run to make it worth it.

[RawdogDX]

Am I still in the minority here--that James won't go pro after this year?  Maybe just wishful thinking!!

Yes money, agents, media can sway these kids in a hurry but he really seems wrapped up in the whole 'MU Family'...sounds like he was very emotional after the game, always talking about his teammates, crean and family. 

I know I'm in the minority on this one but I don't feel his game is ready for the next step...(trust me, I'm no judge of talent--you should see my Fantasy Football team).

One more year...the team would be unstoppable.

Enjoy the Ride in '06!!

Look state here is the thing.  Yes you are in the minority.  You seem to be rationalizing your thoughts that he might not go pro because his game could use another year to develop the outside shot that would make him have top pro potential.  GOod logic but flawed.  You are correct he could use that year and if his outside shot got significantly better it would elevate him to a top 5 pick.  BUT he's going to be a top 20 pick this year and make millions hard to convince a guy who's single mom is still working that it's worth it to stick around for the chance that he'd get drafted 10 spots earlier.  If I were him I'd go.

[WashDCWarrior]

If he stays (I think 50/50 right now) it will be because he wants to take MU to a championship next year, not because he'll be worried about draft status.  He's a lock 1st rounder.  Remember, Diener went 32nd and James has much better NBA potential.

[DoubleMU0609]

I don't remember if it was on ESPN or SI.com but one of the writers just did a study comparing the first round draft picks from the last 10 years or so.  (He was looking at the rationale of the Florida players comming back this year.)  He broke the categories down into HS, Fresh., Soph., Jr., Sr., and international players.  Then he looked at (I think) offensive production by points per min. (and looked at how many min. each player played.)  He concluded that the players that stuck around for extra seasons didn't do themselves any favors.  Basically he said that if you can guarantee yourself a first round spot you should take it. 

I'm sure there could be some debate if James would be guaranteed a first round spot (we'll just have to wait and see the rest of the season but I would guess yes at this early point in the season) then he should take his chance while he's hot.

If anyone can find the article it's an interesting read.

[tower912]

It hardly felt like he was making shot after shot, particularly after the way he played the first 33 minutes.   He hit his free throws, a nice pull up jumper and a couple of 3's.  Look at the stats, he was hardly "in the zone".   He just stepped up and delivered at the end.

[tckmu24]

I love that we have a guy who isn't afraid to take the last shot and carry a team on his shoulders.  Does anyone think that last night DJ wasn't fully focused until he had to be?  I think DJ is incredible and it may have been because he was in foul trouble in the first half, but he was playing as if he thought they could win without him being an "all-american" for certain spans in the game.  I don't want to make it look like I think DJ is lazy or whatever, but it seemed like he was really only giving 110% when he had to.  Did anyone else see that or am I being stupid?

[Tampa Warrior]

How is 4-13 Bird Like?

18 straight points to end the game is Bird-like (though Larry didn't have many 4-13 games, true), especially the jumper to win the game. Doesn't matter what happened the rest of the game, when it was crunch time, he put the team on his back and made sure the game was won.

Hyperbole? Agreed...a bit.