Christian James wants to be a 'defender first'

[OUHoops]

http://www.oudaily.com/sports/oklah...cle_71905a50-a2af-11e6-8889-a3fa927693f0.html

 

[Larry72]

Lon has them concentrating on defense which is great. If you do not play defense with great effort, then your PT is probably limited.
I think last years team played good, but not great D in the tournament. There is great upside for playing great D see villanova.

 

[furge]

With all the length OU can put on the court at one time, setting a defensive tone seems like a pretty sure way to impose our will on the opposition. Can you imagine all the deflections and from-behind blocks we could see this season? Heck yes.

Christian is talking like a leader and his play shouldn't disrupt the message. I'm excited to watch him come into his own these next couple of years.

 

[AdaSooner]

If James wants to emulate Kawhi Leonard, that's fine by me. Leonard can defend as well as score.

I also like what our players are saying about focusing more on defense this season. McGusty repeated that theme in an Oklahoman article this morning. He added [paraphrasing here] that defense can win games when the shots aren't falling. An up tempo offense may be more fun to watch, but good defense is a lot more reliable.

 

[thebigabd]

Totally disagree with Christian James here...

• Priority #1 - Score
• Priority #2 - Score
• Priority #3 - Score
• Priority #4 - Score
• Priority #5 - Defend

 

[SuperHoops]

Hopefully they stop it with that ridiculous floor slapping.

 

[kbsooner]

I agree with this 100%, no way early we will be close to last year's team offensively and probably will even struggle at times to score consitently end of season as well since we have little inside presence. I'm glad they are emphasizing it...

McGusty repeated that theme in an Oklahoman article this morning. He added [paraphrasing here] that defense can win games when the shots aren't falling. An up tempo offense may be more fun to watch, but good defense is a lot more reliable.

 

[sperry]

Totally disagree with Christian James here...

• Priority #1 - Score
• Priority #2 - Score
• Priority #3 - Score
• Priority #4 - Score
• Priority #5 - Defend

Defense is what's going to get him to the league if he is to make it.

 

[BCSooners]

His defense was very average tonight. When he was set up he looked good, but jogged back and was late getting in good position.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

16-8-6-0 is pretty great.

He will be a better all around player than buddy when he leaves here. Dude looks good

 

[usedtobe1]

16-8-6-0 is pretty great.

He will be a better all around player than buddy when he leaves here. Dude looks good

Wasn't he 16-8-6-2 if you count his 2 steals?

 

[AdaSooner]

Wasn't he 16-8-6-2 if you count his 2 steals?

Impressive stats for a sophomore who didn't really come onto the scene until late last season. Christian James is going to be really good before he's through.

Khadeem Lattin was another bright spot last night. He finished with 12 points, 7 boards, 3 blocks and 5 steals in limited minutes. I also thought Jamuni's 8 points and 8 rebounds was encouraging.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Wasn't he 16-8-6-2 if you count his 2 steals?

yep...my zero was for turnovers