When do DJ's free-throw woes get to the point

[bma725]

I have never wavered on my stance regarding DJ.  He's an above average, serviceable point guard.  He's a tremendous athlete, but his basketball IQ is questionable.  I look forward to a change at the position starting next year.  I hope James improves his game and makes the next level, but I think he's plateaued.     

Serviceable point guards and guys with a questionable basketball IQ don't rank in the top 10 in the country in Assist to Turnover ratio, which is maybe the best judge of how a point guard actually does his job.   

When he's gone next year, a lot people that complain about him and look forward to him being replaced are going to be sorely disappointed that he's not around to run the team anymore. 

[downtown85]

Serviceable point guards and guys with a questionable basketball IQ don't rank in the top 10 in the country in Assist to Turnover ratio, which is maybe the best judge of how a point guard actually does his job.   

When he's gone next year, a lot people that complain about him and look forward to him being replaced are going to be sorely disappointed that he's not around to run the team anymore. 

+1  I was jumping on his case after the USF game because he truly had a bad game.  However, he hasn't gotten much of the credit when we win. His role in the offense this year is largely the reason for the success the team has had.  I would call Acker a servicable point guard.  The team looks totally different (not as good) when Acker is running the point.  I think without DJ's quality play this year, all the "studs of the game" would have been struggling and we wouldn't have many of the wins that we do. 

As an aside, watch the Matthews video (from Homer's show).  Listen to Matthew's comment about what DJ said.  To me, that is real senior leadership on DJ's part.  It shows that he has a basketball IQ at least the same or higher than Wes's.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Watch how DJ takes off and how he lands on most of his jumpshots in that video or other HS videos.  He's landing in front of the spot he took off from, in some cases well in front.  That's a major issue for most coaches, because when you jump forward you are more suspectible to landing on an opponent's feet or ankles and injuring yourself.  So they will try to change your jumping form and have you jump straight up and down. 

I'm sure Crean tried to change it, and that was a decision most coaches would make as well.  But DJ has never looked comfortable doing it the correct way, and as a result he changes it every time.  Sometimes it's back, sometimes it's right or left, sometimes it's straight up and down, sometimes it's his old form.  If you watch closely, most of DJ's makes on 3 pointers come when he reverts to his old form and jumps forward.

Agreed.

His landing might be a little different, but essentially his jumper looks pretty similar... I think it just looks better in the video because it's a highlight video and they all go it. If you strung together a bunch of his makes from MU, his form would look ok too.

McNeal and Matthews are more "set-shooters"... James is truly a jumper shooter. This helps him create space to shoot, but also adds moving parts to his shot.

He's a tremendous athlete, he's a great player. He's not a strong shooter.

[bilsu]

I have never wavered on my stance regarding DJ.  He's an above average, serviceable point guard.  He's a tremendous athlete, but his basketball IQ is questionable.  I look forward to a change at the position starting next year.  I hope James improves his game and makes the next level, but I think he's plateaued.     

I guarantee you that you will miss him next year.

[shaquilvaine]

I was more concerned with the way DJ acted after the airball than the airball itself.  He looks like Burke did his first year at the line... like he doesn't want to shoot them.  The kid needs to forget about it quickly if he misses one even if he misses it badly.  Hanging his head and shaking his head only worsens things mentally.  To his credit he knocked down a three ten seconds after his airball miss.  Where is Dr. Bob Rotella when you need him?  The kid just needs to forget about all of the mechanics and shoot the damn ball. 

[Pardner]

According to Len Elmore, DJ's free throw shooting is "all in his head".