ran into Dominic James this weekend

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Who said they hated him? Just calling a good college player a good college player.

As for his comeback game in the 09 Tourney against Mizzou...admirable, but ineffective.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=294000010

Implying that a former player (and MU graduate) is "Bagging Groceries" goes far beyond calling a good player a good player.

DJ was a very good college player. That's it. I don't think that deserves a "Bagging Groceries" comment.

[frozena pizza]

My mouth is wide open.

Then put your foot in it and shut up.  He was a huge part of our success during those years and a class act.  Provided the best highlights and clutch shooting since D-Wade and was the unquestioned leader of the program when Crean left.  Sure he had some holes in his game, but that's a pretty low blow.  Loser.

[BubbaWilliams]

  Provided the best highlights and clutch shooting since D-Wade and was the unquestioned leader of the program when Crean left.

Clutch shooting? Really? NC State was a good highlight, but i wouldn't call him clutch. This is why the ball went to Jerry Mac at the end of games. And his highlights consist of a reverse ally-oop, which was sweet, but i wouldn't call it the best. He had a great verticle and showed it off against sub par competition. Unquestioned leader is funny, especially after Crean left. Also, calling me a loser may make you feel better, but it doesn't change the fact that James never lived up to his potential.

[MUfan12]

Clutch shooting? Really? NC State was a good highlight, but i wouldn't call him clutch. This is why the ball went to Jerry Mac at the end of games. And his highlights consist of a reverse ally-oop, which was sweet, but i wouldn't call it the best. He had a great verticle and showed it off against sub par competition. Unquestioned leader is funny, especially after Crean left. Also, calling me a loser may make you feel better, but it doesn't change the fact that James never lived up to his potential.

He may not have professionally, but he was an outstanding player for Marquette. Look at that 2009 team. They were never the same after he went down. He may not have shot the ball well, but did everything else to help MU win games.

The amount of crap he got on here amazes me.

[Benny B]

Do grocery baggers have "backpack" 2nd half performances vs. Duke like Dominic had in the 2006 CBE? 
Do grocery baggers make shots like Dominic's game winning 3 @ NC State?
Do I really have to go on?

The only thing I will never be able to rationalize was D-James' foul on Jonathan Wallace.  Every other poor shot, bonehead play, stupid turnover, etc. he made can be attributed to "it happens to everyone"-type moments, aggressiveness or "right decision, poor execution".  So IMO, only one time in a four-year career did the kid do something really, really stupid that may have cost the game.  But guess what... he won at least the two games for MU cited above.

Sorry, but if you don't think that the majority of MU fans would take offense to a Dominic James "bagging groceries" comment, then you certainly weren't paying attention from 2005-2009.

Besides, Dominic's interactions with the guy gave me reason to at least think I was going to be entertained when I saw Jim Burr walk on the court.  Since DJ graduated, how many times have you seen a player put his arm around a ref (or vice versa) after he just committed a foul?

[MileHigh]

Clutch shooting? Really? NC State was a good highlight, but i wouldn't call him clutch. This is why the ball went to Jerry Mac at the end of games. And his highlights consist of a reverse ally-oop, which was sweet, but i wouldn't call it the best. He had a great verticle and showed it off against sub par competition. Unquestioned leader is funny, especially after Crean left. Also, calling me a loser may make you feel better, but it doesn't change the fact that James never lived up to his potential.

So do you think Marquette would have been better off with out DJ?  If so, who would you rather have out there running the show?

[Goose]

To even debate value of DJ is crazy. Anyone that does not understand the value he brought to team flat out does not a thing about the game.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

it doesn't change the fact that James never lived up to his potential.

He was a very good college player and a 4 year starter.

If you demand more than that, you are going to dislike a lot of players.

He played his ass off and worked hard. Potential might not have been reached (in your mind), but it wasn't because he didn't work hard.

It sounds like you just don't like the guy (for whatever reason).

Also, not clutch in this game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeiMnw05mDA

[Benny B]

Also, not clutch in this game:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeiMnw05mDA

Was that home video or a clip of Hoosiers on Betamax?

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I truly don't understand the defensiveness. Perhaps the grocery comment was over the top, but to claim James was beyond reproach is silly. He WAS a great defensive player and was very athletic. Thats basically it as far as I'm concerned. He was a very good college player, one who IMO was very frustrating to watch and difficult to warm up to for whatever reason. Some of you react like your mother is being insulted.

[tower912]

18 straight against Valpo.    Best on-ball defender I have seen at MU. Prone to cramps early in his career.    Ironically, his last made shot, a couple of possessions before he broke his foot, was a 3pt basket where he exhibited near-perfect form.    A player that probably would have developed a more complete game under Buzz than under Crean.    His senior year, he finally was playing the point, instead of being the most athletic small guy on the floor.     A leader, a warrior, and I appreciate all he brought to the table during his time at MU.     And remember, that team was #8 in the country when he broke his foot.   He stays healthy.......

[Blue Horseshoe]

He stays healthy.......

/Goes undrafted
//Bags groceries

[tower912]

He stays healthy, that team goes deep.   Playing for 6 figure$ in Europe is not bagging groceries.   

[MileHigh]

/Goes undrafted
//Bags groceries

///Still has a highlight I'll never forget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6aVbxKf1WM&playnext=1&list=PL3F965A99C15D2F1D&feature=results_video

[We R Final Four]

///Still has a highlight I'll never forget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6aVbxKf1WM&playnext=1&list=PL3F965A99C15D2F1D&feature=results_video

That was awesome!!! Forgot about that.  A lot of NBA/Europe pros for MU in that game.

[Blue Horseshoe]

That was awesome!!! Forgot about that.  A lot of NBA/Europe pros for MU in that game.

Not quite enough to pull out a W

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I truly don't understand the defensiveness. Perhaps the grocery comment was over the top...

Yep.

People don't have to love him. But, let's not disparage him and pretend like he wasn't good.

[Lennys Tap]

18 straight against Valpo.    Best on-ball defender I have seen at MU. Prone to cramps early in his career.    Ironically, his last made shot, a couple of possessions before he broke his foot, was a 3pt basket where he exhibited near-perfect form.    A player that probably would have developed a more complete game under Buzz than under Crean.    His senior year, he finally was playing the point, instead of being the most athletic small guy on the floor.     A leader, a warrior, and I appreciate all he brought to the table during his time at MU.     And remember, that team was #8 in the country when he broke his foot.   He stays healthy.......

Agree with everything here.

[wadesworld]

My mouth is wide open.

With a big, fat c0ck in it.

[NersEllenson]

Ridiculous to imply DJ wasn't a good player in his time at MU.  He was a program great!  The issue, I believe, is that he was SO GOOD as a freshman, people's hopes got sky high, and his performance leveled off or perhaps even regressed sophomore/junior year.  Nonetheless, the guy was a great player during his time at MU.

Interestingly enough, I feel Vander Blue was SO GOOD as a junior in high school in leading Maymon's team to a state championship, that the bar for Vander after his junior year was set so high - it was going to be hard to exceed his junior year performance.  His Senior year at Memorial was just okay - not even voted player of the year in WI.  He's been a work in progress at MU.  Has all of the athletic tools necessary - just hope he can put together the rest of his game - as I feel like Dominic, he's battled confidence problems in his game.  Vander's late season free throw shooting gives me hope his confidence is back...and that could translate into some great things for Vander and MU.

[mugrad99]

Uh, Saks 5th Avenue...the store. He was shopping, for suits I believe.  He was leaving for Italy shortly to play for an A league team.

[Benny B]

I truly don't understand the defensiveness. Perhaps the grocery comment was over the top, but to claim James was beyond reproach is silly. He WAS a great defensive player and was very athletic. Thats basically it as far as I'm concerned. He was a very good college player, one who IMO was very frustrating to watch and difficult to warm up to for whatever reason. Some of you react like your mother is being insulted.

Yes.... it was over the top, just like the following line:

I feel sorry for your mother knowing she birthed a child who wouldn't stand up for her.

Now then, the previous line is not to be taken seriously, because I don't know your mother and I don't know you.  Regardless, it's an inappropriate thing to say, just like it's inappropriate to imply that Dominic is "bagging groceries," especially given that - although I'm 99% sure this wasn't the intent or even a consideration - implying a black college graduate who is relegated to such a vocation could be misconstrued by someone to have a slight racial overtone.

In any event... next time, just say you're not a fan, you think he could/should have been better, and/or DJ's recruitment was nothing more than Crean lobbying for the IU job, and leave it at that.  Don't disparage a fellow MU alum, and don't stand up for people that do.

[BME to MD]

Was he bagging groceries?

The day you are as successful at anything as James is as basketball, is the day you can make that joke. Until that day comes, shut your mouth.

[BubbaWilliams]

Wadesworld, funny... a recycled joke late in the thread. Nice originality. To say those teams didn't underachieved is a joke. Granted, Tommy C was at the helm for three of them, but they underachieved none the less. Championships make winners, not fuzzy memories. They couldn't make it out of the second round. And let's not forget that Michigan State game. He did a good job against Valpo, outstanding. Beating Valpo is like being the prettiest girl in fat camp. Although he did graduate, which I do commend him on, as I think it looks bad when collegiate athletes don't graduate.

[BubbaWilliams]

And Benny B, your the one who brought up the racial overtone. Why would your mind even go there. Kurt Warner used to bag groceries, and he was a white college graduate. What you brought up is more ridiculous than my valid opinion.