"James Reaping Benefits of Staying at MU"

[DJAMES1]

Article out of Richmond Paper...Richmond Indiana not Richmond Virginia, (where they said his hometown was against TN)

James reaping benefits of staying at Marquette

The payoff for staying at Marquette for four years is getting more obvious every game for Dominic James.

Television commentators and coaches are talking glowingly about his dynamic attributes -- leadership, defense, passing and athleticism.

They are on sharper display as Marquette shows more up-tempo offensive dimensions under first-year coach Buzz Williams.

James' weakest link supposedly is his shooting. But, his stats are solid for a point guard -- .423 percent on field-goal tries and .345 on 3-pointers.

There's no doubt he is mangling free throws by hitting just 47 percent.

But, James' oft-maligned shooting touch is more than a bit overblown.

There's proof in the history books: James is on pace with 1,590 points to leave Marquette as its top scorer ever.

That would be a major achievement.

It's an important distinction to note that James is a scorer, not a touch shooter. His points tend to come in bunches as he blows past tired defenders. They did as a state-leading scorer at Richmond High School, too.

With at least 19 games left -- 17 in regular season and two in tournaments -- James must average less than 10 points to break George Thompson's record of 1,773. James' total is a testament to starting at point guard from Day 1 and resisting the impulses to leave school early for professional basketball.

But, points aren't on the top of James' mind. It doesn't matter if he scores 20, 10 or 2: He'd much rather win titles than set scoring records.

The Golden Eagles appear closer to being title contenders now than in James' first three seasons -- when he had higher scoring averages.

A major reason is that he's relaxed into his role as a floor manager.

He's having more fun.

He knows the Golden Eagles usually need his passes more than his points.

Fellow seniors Wes Matthews and Jerel McNeal have always scored, too. But, the team now has a consistent inside scoring presence in Lazar Hayward. Defenses can't sag in and plug up the lane on Marquette now.

That plays to James' strengths.

He can drive and pass better than most guards. He has a better understanding now of when to do both.

His mind never stops thinking about the game in ways few other players do.

Consider this comment from Williams after James helped beat Villanova on Thursday in their Big East opener. "He plays with unbelievable poise on both ends of the floor and overall he engages his defender on every possession. I have talked and texted with (James) as much as I do my wife for the past 50 or 60 days and he's taught me more than I've taught him."

Tom Crean can tell similar tales.

Chad Bolser, too.

I'm convinced more than ever now that James will play in the NBA.

Simply put: He'll make any team better. James can adapt to any role in which he's needed as a guard.

He sees the court in ways that only elite players can. He's amazingly gifted athletically. And he's smart.

"He's phenomenal. I don't know anything about football, but I'd like to see someone beat him in the shuttle run or a vertical jump test. As a physical specimen he is ultra, ultra special," Williams said. "I think his growth has not been athletically this year, it has been mentally."

You can bet that smart NBA teams are paying attention.

[muhoosier260]

There's no doubt he is mangling free throws by hitting just 47 percent.

But, James' oft-maligned shooting touch is more than a bit overblown.

There's proof in the history books: James is on pace with 1,590 points to leave Marquette as its top scorer ever.

heh, its not overblown at all. in fact, not enough attention is brought to that stat during t.v. games. i love james and am glad he's our pg, but these hometown newspaper articles are tough to read

[wadesworld]

heh, its not overblown at all. in fact, not enough attention is brought to that stat during t.v. games. i love james and am glad he's our pg, but these hometown newspaper articles are tough to read

How?  42% field goals and 35% 3 point shooting is by no means terrible.  It's not the best you'll see, but not even close to the worst, especially from a point guard.