Chicago Tribune Article on D.J.

[Avenue Commons]

www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/cs-080318-marquette-kentucky-ncaa-preview,1,7028757.story

chicagotribune.com
Marquette's James ready to flip switch
Guard plans to go into attack mode in the Golden Eagles' first-round NCAA tournament game against Kentucky
By Shannon Ryan

Tribune reporter

11:52 PM CDT, March 18, 2008

MILWAUKEE—Dominic James stepped off the elevator at a New York City hotel, heading to his room with a late meal hours after Marquette had lost to Pittsburgh in the Big East semifinals. When coach Tom Crean followed behind him, James knew it was time for a talk.

By the time Crean and James finished, James' take-out dinner was cold.

No matter. The conversation was intended to warm up his game.

"I feel like my coach is my biggest critic, and that's how I want it to be," the 5-foot-11-inch junior point guard said. "I feel I'm going to carry that talk into the tournament."

James said he is as hungry as ever to take the sixth-seeded Golden Eagles deep into the NCAA tournament, which begins for them Thursday in Anaheim against 11th-seeded Kentucky.

After losing to Pittsburgh, Crean stressed to James the importance of his role through the postseason. James shot 0-for-12 early against Panthers before scoring eight points late when he started driving and creating.

Against Kentucky's imposing defense, James needs to be in constant attack mode.

"He can score, no doubt about it, but we're at our best when he understands that distributing the ball, setting the tone on offense and defense is crucial, knocking down open shots, getting to the rim and using his strength," Crean said. "When he does that he has his best offensive games."

Despite two wrist injuries and an ankle sprain in a season he defined as "frustrating," James said this has been his best season.

Some of his numbers argue otherwise, but James said that's not how he judges his performance.

As the Big East rookie of the year, he averaged 15.3 points and 5.3 assists per game and shot 43.1 percent. He averaged 14.9 points and 4.9 assists per game and shot 38.4 percent as a sophomore.

This season, while suffering through the injuries and some poor shooting games, James is averaging 13 points and 4.4 assists while shooting 40.6 percent.

"It has been frustrating," James acknowledged. "But I think I've been playing some of my best basketball. My maturity [and] experience has made me a better player."

James could opt for the NBA draft this year, but he hopes he won't have time to think about it until April. The last three years, the Golden Eagles have made first-round tournament exits.

"I'm thinking about the tournament and trying to go as far as we can," James said. "I'm cherishing my time with my teammates."

His emphasis will be on finding them shots.

The guard-oriented Golden Eagles have benefited from other players sharing in the scoring. Guard Jerel McNeal, a Chicago native, averages 14.3 points, while forward Lazar Hayward's point production has jumped from 6.6 as a freshman to 13 this season.

"I'm willing to give up two less points and have someone else get 13 points," James said. "I'll take wins over points."

sryan@tribune.com

Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

[ozmetal71]

Rosiak said in his chat that he thinks that both DJ and McNeal are coming back.  I don't understand either why some are holding onto this idea that DJ is certainly going to enter the draft this year.  There is a log-jam at point guard in this year's draft and he would have no chance of being even a high or middle-range second round pick.

I'm glad that Crean sat down with him and told him to get back to driving, slashing, and kicking.  When DJ does that his perimeter game opens up, and he can go off for 25 points.  Maybe he was tired in the Pitt game, but his shooting was beyond awful.

We need DJ to get back to dishing the ball and scoring around 10-12 points per game and letting McNeal and Hayward do most of the scoring.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I have heard Crean say this in regards to DJ a number of times. It's hard to understand why he seems to hear what Crean is saying, but ignores the message.

He's effective as a passer and a penetrator. He is completely ineffective when he tries to be a jump-shooter. In fact, it grinds our offense to a screeching halt!

[Big Papi]

I heard TC being intereviewed by Homer earlier in the week and he stressed that DJ needed to attack more like he did in the second half and he also stressed that Cube needs to not be hesitant on offense.  I expect TC had a talk with Cube as well and that both will follow through.  We definitely need it to make some noise.

[bma725]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

[ecompt]

I think his family--not the prospect of the NBA--is what matters. He can make some good money playing in Europe.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

Huh? I assume his leaving "for the NBA draft" would be contingent on there being somebody in the NBA willing to draft him. And the chances of that right now are about as good as Mount St. Mary's knocking off North Carolina on Friday.

Besides, something tells me that James isn't sharing his family's "financial situation" with the posters on MUScoop. The continued mentioning of this is as lame as people citing Joanie Crean's affection for the Milwaukee school system as a reason for Crean staying at MU.

[The Lens]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

He has to be just destroying his family's budget with that free tuition, free room and board, NCAA stipend, possible per diem etc.  Kind of like how my Dad took out a 2nd mortgage and my mom got a 2nd part time job.

DJ's future is only made better by exhausting his eligibility at MU, unless he can be drafted in the NBA. 

[esotericmindguy]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

He has to be just destroying his family's budget with that free tuition, free room and board, NCAA stipend, possible per diem etc.  Kind of like how my Dad took out a 2nd mortgage and my mom got a 2nd part time job.

DJ's future is only made better by exhausting his eligibility at MU, unless he can be drafted in the NBA. 

I'm with you Damon, the money will be there is Europe....why not play another year and have a very good chance of making a deep run in the NCAA.  If they could do that James would likely get drafted, he has no shot this year, especially with the number of great pgs in the draft this year.

[State]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

He has to be just destroying his family's budget with that free tuition, free room and board, NCAA stipend, possible per diem etc.  Kind of like how my Dad took out a 2nd mortgage and my mom got a 2nd part time job.

DJ's future is only made better by exhausting his eligibility at MU, unless he can be drafted in the NBA. 

DJ needs the extra flow as HIS family recently got a little bigger.

[Pakuni]

It cracks me up that some posters around here believe they know what's best for DJ better than DJ, DJ's family and DJ's confidants know what's best for DJ.

At the end of the season, the kid will make an informed (hopefully) decision on whether to turn professional or not. That decision may be based on his likelihood of being drafted into the NBA, it may be based on his need to earn an income for his family, it may be based on his love/hate for Tom Crean and Marquette.
It's safe to say no one here really knows, which makes the sanctimonius blubber about making "DJ's future better" all the more ridiculous.

[The Lens]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

He has to be just destroying his family's budget with that free tuition, free room and board, NCAA stipend, possible per diem etc.  Kind of like how my Dad took out a 2nd mortgage and my mom got a 2nd part time job.

DJ's future is only made better by exhausting his eligibility at MU, unless he can be drafted in the NBA. 

DJ needs the extra flow as HIS family recently got a little bigger.

I'm well aware.  I still maintain his best move if he can't make the NBA is exhausting his MU eligibility.

Will & Dwyane made it work.

[The Lens]

It cracks me up that some posters around here believe they know what's best for DJ better than DJ, DJ's family and DJ's confidants know what's best for DJ.

At the end of the season, the kid will make an informed (hopefully) decision on whether to turn professional or not. That decision may be based on his likelihood of being drafted into the NBA, it may be based on his need to earn an income for his family, it may be based on his love/hate for Tom Crean and Marquette.
It's safe to say no one here really knows, which makes the sanctimonius blubber about making "DJ's future better" all the more ridiculous.

Pakuni, when has a top player ever left eligibility on the table for the expressed reason of playing in Europe?  Have you ever heard of this?  People are conceding his "informed" decision is leaving with the full knowledge that he won't get drafted in the NBA.  Has this ever happened before?

Spare me the sanctimonius blubber tag.  If can get drafted, I say go.  If he can't I say stay. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

Huh? I assume his leaving "for the NBA draft" would be contingent on there being somebody in the NBA willing to draft him. And the chances of that right now are about as good as Mount St. Mary's knocking off North Carolina on Friday.

Besides, something tells me that James isn't sharing his family's "financial situation" with the posters on MUScoop. The continued mentioning of this is as lame as people citing Joanie Crean's affection for the Milwaukee school system as a reason for Crean staying at MU.

I actually agree with you that the speculation about his family is a little too personal (although information about his immediate family is probably going to become more public, thus increasing speculation).

However, you have speculated wildly about the current coach and his role(s) in all thing related to MU... so I'm not sure why you are taking an anti-speculation stand on this topic. 

[bma725]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

Huh? I assume his leaving "for the NBA draft" would be contingent on there being somebody in the NBA willing to draft him. And the chances of that right now are about as good as Mount St. Mary's knocking off North Carolina on Friday.

Besides, something tells me that James isn't sharing his family's "financial situation" with the posters on MUScoop. The continued mentioning of this is as lame as people citing Joanie Crean's affection for the Milwaukee school system as a reason for Crean staying at MU.

All sorts of guys declare every year that have no shot at getting drafted. 

You'd be surprised how much of James current situation is well known to people all over the place.  The fact that his life has changed and he now has another mouth to feed is common knowledge all over the university and even the city of Milwaukee as a whole.

His leaving is even a topic of conversation among boosers, former players, faculty, AD employees etc.  It's not like this is any big secret.  Gossip travels fast among that group, especially when they aren't supposed to tell anyone what they know.

[Pakuni]

Pakuni, when has a top player ever left eligibility on the table for the expressed reason of playing in Europe?  Have you ever heard of this?  People are conceding his "informed" decision is leaving with the full knowledge that he won't get drafted in the NBA.  Has this ever happened before?

Spare me the sanctimonius blubber tag.  If can get drafted, I say go.  If he can't I say stay. 

I doubt DJ, or any other player, would leave "for the expressed reason of playing in Europe." He would declare for the NBA draft and hope for the best. But I suspect he'd do so fully aware - especially having gone through the pre-draft process once already - that getting drafted may not happen and, if it doesn't, have other options available to him.

I hope DJ stays. I think another year of college would improve his chances of making the NBA.
But I'm not presumptuous enough to claim that I know what's best for he and his family.

[ecompt]

The Development League is expanding by two teams this fall, but the pay there is only around $30,000. I'm sure there's more money overseas, but who knows if DJ wants to go abroad? Whatever he decides, I hope it works out well for him.

[LovinCrowder]

You'd be surprised how much of James current situation is well known to people all over the place.  The fact that his life has changed and he now has another mouth to feed is common knowledge all over the university and even the city of Milwaukee as a whole.

His leaving is even a topic of conversation among boosers, former players, faculty, AD employees etc.  It's not like this is any big secret.  Gossip travels fast among that group, especially when they aren't supposed to tell anyone what they know.




Is that 100% fact????

[Avenue Commons]

I can only imagine what Crean was telling him in NY after his performance against Pitt. I have a feeling DJ is somewhat fragile.

I cannot believe that people are still referring to the possibility of entering the NBA draft for him.

You assume that his leaving would be based on performance on the court, when most of those who say he's going are of the opinion that it has little if anything to do with basketball or MU and everything to do with his family situation. 

He has to be just destroying his family's budget with that free tuition, free room and board, NCAA stipend, possible per diem etc.  Kind of like how my Dad took out a 2nd mortgage and my mom got a 2nd part time job.

DJ's future is only made better by exhausting his eligibility at MU, unless he can be drafted in the NBA. 

DJ needs the extra flow as HIS family recently got a little bigger.

Oh snap! Baby-Mama Drama?