Dominic James is playing very, very well

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Alright, I don't want to be a total homer here, but I would like to say that James has been awesome this year and is playing better than ever.

I don't care if he tried out at the NBA camp last year. I don't know if he will leave after this season. I don't really care if he is ever a 1st or 2nd round pick. I don't care if he blows his money on rims for a BMW. I don't care if he buys houses for all of his relatives. I don't care if he wears the arm sleeve. I don't care if he wears high socks. I don't care if people overheard him hitting on some girl at a party... I don't care about any of the garbage people b*tched about all summer.


All I know is, DJ is shooting much better (due better shot selection, improved form and improved teammates), making good decisions on offense, and playing good/great defense.

In short, I would say he just matured as a player... and while the stats may not be gaudy, I'd say he is having his best season by far. (*cough* Sugar *cough*)

He's everything I hoped he would be... and after some the maligning he took on this board this summer, I think there should be some posts about how well he is actually playing basketball.

DJ critics... here is your chance to repent and show your appreciation.

(for the record I'm not saying DJ didn't deserve some criticism for his play last season, but I am saying that now there should be some posts about how well he is playing)

[MUfan12]

I'll second this. Dominic has been a complete player this year, and seems much more focused as well. While his offensive game has improved a lot, his defense is what stands out for me. He has become a lockdown defender, and has done a great job on bigger guys. He did a job on McAlarney on Saturday, took him completely out of the game.

He has been fantastic, I hope that people start to appreciate his game a little bit more.

[ozmetal71]

I was a major critic of DJ's play last year as he was too focused on showcasing his skills for the NBA instead of running the offense, and he admitted as much prior to this season.  I think that the major slice of humble pie that he received at the pre-draft camps was the best thing that has happened for DJ in his MU career.

DJ has been fantastic this year, and everything that you want in a point guard.  He hasn't jacked up the silly long three-pointers, his free-throw shooting is much improved, he plays consistently superior defense, and he has ran the offense at a high level all year long.

His improvement, coupled with the exponential leaps and bounds undertaken by Hayward, is one of the principal reasons for our success this year and our apparent overall large level of improvement as a team.

[AlumKCof93]

I agree.  At times last year, I thought he put himself above the team - poor shot selection and such.  On this board, the comparisons were with ND's Chris Thomas a player who didn't seem to care if ND won as long as he played a key role in the victory.
I never completely agreed with the Thomas comparison as DJ's defense was always much better than Thomas', but this year any comparison with Chris Thomas or any other selfish player is way off the mark.  In fact, I think DJ is probably underrated as he is creating so much for his teammates and his shot selection has been terrific.  He's one of the most improved players on the team.

[downtown85]

I agree he is having a very good, if not great year!  He will be the key as to how far this team goes in March.  I hope he keeps it up.  

[Henry Sugar]

In short, I would say he just matured as a player... and while the stats may not be gaudy, I'd say he is having his best season by far. (*cough* Sugar *cough*)

It's true.

Short version - His Offensive Rating is better than the last two years.  His Defensive Rating is better than the last two years.  He has a lower overall role in the offense (not a coincidence).  His individual win-loss record is much better than the last two years, and he's on track to contribute significantly more "net points" to the team.

The detailed info deserves a Cracked Sidewalks post.

[WashDCWarrior]

I think the way he is playing this year explains why so many of us were down on him last year.  Nice to see him improving and moving towards his potential.  I think the best is still yet to come.

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

Just to reiterate what everyone has said...

DJ has indeed improved and worked on his game hard, and it shows.  Pretty much everything about his game anyone (including myself) bitched about, he has improved upon greatly. 

He no longer launches NBA range 3s...the 3s he does put up nowadays though are falling, and overall he makes much better decisions.

I don't want to speculate or anything, but yeah, I'm just saying, it'd be dope to have everyone come back next year...but I'm not worrying too much with our good depth now and Tyshawn and Nick coming in.  But imagine that though...Everyone we have now (minus Fitz, Barro, and Blackledge...and Brice, obviously), plus our incoming guys...I mean we'd be rolling DEEEP!

[ozmetal71]

I still don't see why everyone assumes that DJ is a lock to leave for the NBA after this year.  Wasn't one of the major reasons that he declared last year was that there was a glut of guards who were going to be entering the 2008 draft?  DJ is an outstanding college player, but I don't see him being drafted high enough to justify early entry.  He is still short by NBA standards and his athleticism, while outstanding, is not mind-blowing for the pros.

However, if DJ was a first-round pick it would likely imply that Marquette had an outstanding season and that James played his way into a high selection, and I would be happy with that outcome.

I just see everyone staying and taking a crack at the national championship next season.

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

I still don't see why everyone assumes that DJ is a lock to leave for the NBA after this year.  Wasn't one of the major reasons that he declared last year was that there was a glut of guards who were going to be entering the 2008 draft?  DJ is an outstanding college player, but I don't see him being drafted high enough to justify early entry.  He is still short by NBA standards and his athleticism, while outstanding, is not mind-blowing for the pros.

However, if DJ was a first-round pick it would likely imply that Marquette had an outstanding season and that James played his way into a high selection, and I would be happy with that outcome.

I just see everyone staying and taking a crack at the national championship next season.

I hear you on this one.  At the moment with all the guards entering the draft this year and everything, I wouldn't bet much on DJ being a sure thing for the NBA.  Nonetheless, SOMEONE has to go because with our freshman class coming in next year, we're one scholarship over. 

There's always the NBDL, or Europe, or whatever...I mean, I can see DJ in the NBA, yes.  But if the NBA draft were today, I wouldn't bet on him getting drafted.  If he gets even BETTER in this season (which would be absolutely awesome), then yeah, I can see it, and I'm down. 

[mviale]

Mcneal has quietly had a better season in terms of improvement:

FG % 42 to 51%
TO down 4.1 to 2.4
Steals Flat

[Henry Sugar]

Mcneal has quietly had a better season in terms of improvement:

FG % 42 to 51%
TO down 4.1 to 2.4
Steals Flat

Also agree

Offensive Rating better.  Defensive Rating better.  Usage down (again, not a coincidence).  Individual Win-Loss Record better.  Net points added on track to be much higher.

Actually, the whole team has improved almost across the board in all areas.

[downtown85]

I just see everyone staying and taking a crack at the national championship next season.

If that is the case, then who is out the scholarship?  We have only 13 to give and there are theoretically 14 scholarship players.  Who transfers or who doesn't come in of our 4 recruits? 

I like to leave such difficult questions for the off season but I didn't start this thread or make that statement. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Mcneal has quietly had a better season in terms of improvement:

FG % 42 to 51%
TO down 4.1 to 2.4
Steals Flat

Agree... but for the purposes of this thread, let's keep it about James.

I'm not trying to be a thread Nazi... just trying to make the board a little more even-handed when it comes to criticism and/or praise.

When people were blasting DJ for "letting them down", or being too much about himself and not about team, etc., people didn't post about McNeal's shortcomings... so if we praise DJ, let's keep it about DJ.

There were several threads criticizing DJ over the summer... and so far, this is really the only one praising him for his play this season (that I can recall).

I know it's most sports fans nature to be critical (myself included), but c'mon guys, let's give some praise when it's appropriate.

Let's hear from some more critics. You all know who you are. If you are going to critique his game... you should praise him when he plays well (I'm including myself in this group).

[muarmy81]

Shot selection is vastly improved but if he's not taking an open 3 or driving to the basket I still think he's got an ugly mid-range shot.  I love DJ and am glad he's back for his junior season as we wouldn't be doing as well as we are without him but if it he's got an open 10-15 footer it still looks brutal.  He bricked his only mid range shot against ND on Saturday and it just didn't look natural.  Of course he missed it and it came off so hard that I think he got the rebound and immediately drilled a deep three.  I hope he figures his shooting out so that he can be an asset to an NBA team but right now he's helping us immensly with his decision making, leadership, and outstanding Defense.

[Murffieus]

The reason DJ is doing much better on treys is that his form/delivery has improved a great deal. Murf was after him for two years to position the ball at the tip of his head instead of well behind his forehead where he was "throwing the ball" rather than "pushing it"!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

The reason DJ is doing much better on treys is that his form/delivery has improved a great deal. Murf was after him for two years to position the ball at the tip of his head instead of well behind his forehead where he was "throwing the ball" rather than "pushing it"!

Don't you think that his shot selection is better as well?

I think his form is certainly a little different/better... but I also didn't think that he wasn't a horrible shooter before... he was just taking horrible shots at times.

I can't think of a single time this season where DJ has had to chuck up a 3pter with the shot clock winding down. Last year that seemed to happen once or twice a game. Consider that he probably only shot 10% on those looks. Now, eliminate those shots, and his percentage last year really isn't that bad.

Obviously I'm talking in some general terms and stats... but I think his selection shouldn't be discounted.

PLUS: He's a much better shooter off of the dribble than off of a catch and shoot. He's a rhythm guy. He shoots it well off of the pick and roll.

[Murffieus]

His shot selection appears better because he's hitting a higher percentage and not taking as many as last year----shot selection always looks better when they go in!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

His shot selection appears better because he's hitting a higher percentage and not taking as many as last year----shot selection always looks better when they go in!

Serious?

Have you watched a lot of the games this year?

I don't even think he has attempted an NBA range 3pter yet.

I understand the point you are making, but I'm telling you that I've seen all of the games and I haven't seen him shooting as many bad 3's.

[spiral97]

His shot selection appears better because he's hitting a higher percentage and not taking as many as last year----shot selection always looks better when they go in!

Serious?

Have you watched a lot of the games this year?

I don't even think he has attempted an NBA range 3pter yet.

I understand the point you are making, but I'm telling you that I've seen all of the games and I haven't seen him shooting as many bad 3's.

He's taken NBA 3 point shots and then some harlem globetrotter three point shots... heck even a few that looked like they came from half court (and not to beat the buzzer).. not as many as last year but at he still takes at least one shot from 4+ feet beyond the three line per game it seems.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I think they're both right. He's making more and his shot selection is better. He still takes some head-scratchers, but you can live with it because his passing has been the best it has been in his three years here. He's made some really, really great passes that often get over-looked because they go through the hands of the recipient!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

His shot selection appears better because he's hitting a higher percentage and not taking as many as last year----shot selection always looks better when they go in!

Serious?

Have you watched a lot of the games this year?

I don't even think he has attempted an NBA range 3pter yet.

I understand the point you are making, but I'm telling you that I've seen all of the games and I haven't seen him shooting as many bad 3's.

He's taken NBA 3 point shots and then some harlem globetrotter three point shots... heck even a few that looked like they came from half court (and not to beat the buzzer).. not as many as last year but at he still takes at least one shot from 4+ feet beyond the three line per game it seems.

Well, maybe my memory is fuzzier than I think. I'm willing to admit that.

I just know that when I watch the games I don't cringe when he has the ball 25ft. from the basket like I used to.

I think his stroke is certainly improved, but like I said, I think his selection is better as well.

[wadesworld]

I have a class with him in it and on Monday he was moving his wrist around like he was trying to strengthen it back up and then today he came in with a huge splint on it.  I'm not really sure what to make of it because he obviously played well against ND, but could he possibly have hurt it again this week in practice or something?  Hopefully it was just to protect it from getting hurt when he is not playing basketball, more just being careful than actually needing it.