13 shots "not enough"

[mu_hilltopper]

13 shots not enough?  20 shots is what he should have?  Miss 8 of 10, then take 10 more?

Excellent plan.   



http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/NEWS02/703020329

James, Marquette can hit stride as tourneys near
Golden Eagles can take inspiration from Colts, St. Louis Cardinals
Sports editor Mike Bennett: (765) 973-4462 or mxbennett@pal-item.com


Concerned about Dominic James and Marquette?

Don't be.

 
The Golden Eagles have lost four of their last five games, but it's not a time to panic.

The simple question is: Can they lift their level of play the rest of the way?

A victory against No. 12-ranked Pittsburgh on Saturday would be a good start with the Big East Tournament coming up next week and NCAA brackets coming out March 11.

Just remember, though, what the St. Louis Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts accomplished after they limped into the playoffs in their sports.

Gaining momentum is the essential thing.

Florida lost six times on the way to the 2006 national title in men's basketball.

The Gators have dropped three of their last four this season.

Coach Billy Donovan and his state should be very, very happy.

Considering the champions of the past year, the Gators might now be a lock for another title.

The champion this year is certain to have at least three losses.

No Division I men's team is likely to ever roll the table again.

Not when Idaho State, North Dakota State, Wright State, Vanderbilt or dozens of other mid-level teams can rise and beat any top team on any given night.

Ask Wisconsin fans about Missouri State. Ask Missouri State fans about Winthrop.

The Badgers are a lock for the NCAA Tournament and the other two extremely worthy teams need strong showings in their conference tournaments just to make it.

The probability is strong that this year's NCAA champion will have lost at least a couple times in recent weeks.

Here's betting that 22-8 Marquette finds a higher gear -- and wins games in the Big East and NCAA tournaments this year.

The Golden Eagles certainly can ride the momentum if James finds his offensive rhythm.

To do that, he needs to drive and to shoot even more.

If James gains space and time to take better shots, the whole team will benefit.

Fellow guards Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews will still get their double-digit point totals -- and have more fun doing so.

James is a rhythm shooter who scores in bursts. Remember Duke. Remember Valparaiso.

He might miss eight of 10 shots, then hit seven in a row.

He'll score 20-25 points a game if he gets 20 shots -- but he's averaging 13 shots a game.

That's simply not enough.

Scoring is an essential part of his all-around play -- along with tight passes, solid defense and low-mistake ballhandling.

James has played several games where he's made from zero to two turnovers. That's fabulous for being the floor leader and averaging 33.2 minutes per game.

He is the point guard who Tom Crean handed the ball from Day 1 on campus -- to be Marquette's floor general and money player.

The two have had a special connection since the day they met. They often talked twice a night after James committed to Marquette. He led Richmond High School to an 18-4 record and had a state-leading 31.1 scoring average during his senior season.

Those cell-phone sessions were about far more than basketball.

They were about life, about being a good student, about being a winner.

Now's the time for the winning chemistry to pay off with some big games from James.

[NavinRJohnson]

It is an excellent plan if the majority of those shots come inside of 10-15 feet. The way he elevates and teh respect the defense has to give his ability to get to the baslet, if he/the team can incorprate that ft line jumper ala Tony Smith he will be near impossible to stop. I have been asking for it all season, but it just hasn't happened for whatever reason.

[NYWarrior]

DJ has yet to show an effective mid-range game.....he can finish well and sure can take the deep shot as often as you let him.  But that mid-range game is tricky for him

[maxpower773]

DJ has yet to show an effective mid-range game.....he can finish well and sure can take the deep shot as often as you let him.  But that mid-range game is tricky for him

The past couple games though, maybe 3 or 4 even, he has been hitting that jumper with consistency. If he stops taking 3's then he's fine, it's just that those misses tend to overshadow his other shots he makes.

[Nukem2]

Yes, DJ has been hitting those 16 to 18 footers pnetrating the 3 point line.  He does well on that shot and should use it more often to open things up for driving the lane.

[muwarrior87]

As long as James keeps himself inside the arc and keeps his shot fluid without any little hitches, he hits his shots. If he starts strokin it from anywhere, it's gonna cause more help D which will leave someone else open too and give him the option to pass.

[rocky_warrior]

Wow, did anyone else find that article really annoying because nearly every paragraph is a single sentence?  Who writes like that?

[DoubleMU0609]

Very annoying.

Professional writers should be able to construct complete paragraphs.

How does this guy even have a job?

More on topic, I do agree that DJ getting more shots would be a good thing.

They just have to be the right kind of shots.  Nothing taken outside of 15 feet.

[WashDCWarrior]

Based on the title, this is not what I expected from this thread at all. 

Back on topic, I'm for James increasing his shot total, provided they are within the arc.