Christian James hopes mechanical tweaks pay off

[OUHoops]

http://newsok.com/ou-mens-basketball-ous-james-hopes-mechanical-tweaks-pay-off/article/5533476

 

[chuckb]

Every Sooner fan should read this article, especially those who've been bashing Jsmes, demanding he sit at important times in the game, or saying that the team's youth and inexperience hasn't been a factor in the losing streak.

 

[AdaSooner]

Every Sooner fan should read this article, especially those who've been bashing Jsmes, demanding he sit at important times in the game, or saying that the team's youth and inexperience hasn't been a factor in the losing streak.

I couldn't agree more, chuckb! This article does a great job of analyzing what CJ has been going through in Woodard's absence. I don't like to toot my own horn, but I made some of these same points on another thread.

No one that I can recall was criticizing CJ when he was averaging 50+ percent from three point range through the first 10 games. His slump started in the Memphis game when Jordan was out with an injury and he was being counted on to score more.

CJ may be feeling the pressure of stepping up his game to fill the void left by our only senior, Jordan Woodard. He forced a lot of shots in the Memphis game, and he's still doing it to some extent. I'm sure our coaches told him to do what shooters do when they're in a slump: keep shooting and the shots will start to fall.

Keep in mind that we're dealing with a second year player who wasn't much of a factor until the end of the season last year. While he may be trying to "be like Buddy" he is far from the seasoned veteran Buddy was his last two years. It's easy to forget that Buddy Love played a lot as a freshman. Yet, he wasn't even close to the shooter/scorer he would become as an upperclassmen. He averaged 8 points per game on 39% shooting from the field (24% from three) his freshman season. As a comparison, Buddy averaged 25 minutes per game his first year. CJ averaged 9 minutes per game. That's a huge difference in the experience factor that plays a role in the development and maturity of every player trying to make the transition from high school to the college game.
If you, like me, have been disappointed with CJ's shooting of late, maybe we were expecting too much from a sophomore who didn't come into the season with much experience, and absolutely none as a starter who would be counted on to do more perhaps than he was capable of delivering.

Still, for those who continue to bring it up, you don't put a 50 percent plus shooter from three on the bench because he has been in a slump lately. If someone else on this team had already proven themselves to be capable of replacing him, that might be different. But, darned if I can think of anyone else who has proven that to be true.

I said CJ was forcing shots, and I stand by that observation. This article called attention to the fact that he had not been going straight up to get his shot off. I had noticed that, but attributed the sideways move to the pressure he felt to get his shot off. If proper mechanics has indeed been a factor, we can only hope he fixed it in practice with Coach Crutchfield's help. We need CJ more than ever now, because IMO there is no one else on our roster who is better at his position or in making shots from the perimeter. If another player proves me wrong, I will gladly alter my opinion.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Every Sooner fan should read this article, especially those who've been bashing Jsmes, demanding he sit at important times in the game, or saying that the team's youth and inexperience hasn't been a factor in the losing streak.

I "bashed" him a little in one thread but I've never advocated he sit on the bench. He needs to play every minute he possibly can play. Anyone who thinks differently is not using logic or reason to form that argument.

When he makes the shots though, just go back down the court and if he's missing shots keep hustling to make things happen. That's all I'm saying.

 

[AdaSooner]

I "bashed" him a little in one thread but I've never advocated he sit on the bench. He needs to play every minute he possibly can play. Anyone who thinks differently is not using logic or reason to form that argument.

When he makes the shots though, just go back down the court and if he's missing shots keep hustling to make things happen. That's all I'm saying.

I agree with you, BOB! He also allows no calls to get under his skin when he feels he was fouled. I think what we're seeing is a product of the pressure he puts on himself to perform at a higher level. As you know so well, self-inflicted pressure can sometimes lead to more missed shots and turnovers.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I agree with you, BOB! He also allows no calls to get under his skin when he feels he was fouled. I think what we're seeing is a product of the pressure he puts on himself to perform at a higher level. As you know so well, self-inflicted pressure can sometimes lead to more missed shots and turnovers.

+1

 

[globecode]

I agree with everything above and one thing that I feel is a positive is we already know how CJ will play when he doesn't feel the pressure. Once he gets back to that I think his effectiveness will explode and we will all forget about this little patch of play.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

I think Woodard's absence has definitely added more pressure to him. Tough thing for a 20 year old kid to receive newly added pressure. I've been hard on him but I'm sure he's trying to take after Buddy.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I "bashed" him a little in one thread but I've never advocated he sit on the bench. He needs to play every minute he possibly can play. Anyone who thinks differently is not using logic or reason to form that argument.

Well, Kruger sat him during crunch time so....