James showing signs of life after extended slump | NewsOK

[OUHoops]

http://newsok.com/ou-mens-basketbal...-of-life-after-extended-slump/article/5538766

 

[chuckb]

He's definitely a better player than he's shown over the last 15 games or so. It's important to remember that, despite the slump, he's still shooting 37% for the year from 3. After the Baylor game on 12/30, he had 10 double-digit scoring games, including 7 in a row.

As well as his career at OU began, it's not hard to see why his confidence became shaken when the shots weren't falling. He's got a lot to offer this team over the next 2 years once he gets back on track.

 

[usedtobe1]

I thought James had a much better game against OSU than McGusty did. Especially in the 2nd half. I was surprised he wasn't in the game at crunch time. JMHO.

 

[sperry]

He can play for sure, he just wasn't ready to be the man and carry the load.

 

[furge]

He can play for sure, he just wasn't ready to be the man and carry the load.

It certainly didn't help matters that Lattin still hasn't developed a consistent offensive game from either the high post or the block, that Woodard never found a solid rhythm as a playmaker from the point, that Doolittle had to catch up to the speed and physicality of the college game on a steep curve, and that Lon has had to slot players in and out of the point guard spot just to find a lineup that can both defend and score from the base offense sets we should have been ready to run with our opening game starters.

James went from being, at best, the fifth guy on most teams' game plans to 1a in a four-month span. He hit a wall, being worn out and chased off of screens and fronted and doubled and generally receiving A-players' A-efforts on defense. It's obvious this got into his head. Good for him that he was able to stay focused on the work of being ready to play. This will pay off long-term, even if Kam has passed him on the depth chart for keeps.

 

[globecode]

I am bullish on James. I know some have floated he is a possible transfer but I hope he stays because I think he has the skills to be special.

 

[AdaSooner]

I was happy for Christian during the OSU game. He looked more like his old self than in any game in the last two months. Except for the turnovers, his stat line alone proves that. More importantly, perhaps, he seemed to be playing with more confidence, more determination and effort than we have seen him do in sometime.

I'm convinced the slump, funk, whatever you want to call it, has been mostly mental. We all know he can be a great shooter when he's ready to shoot and firing up shots with the conviction he had at the end of last season and in the first ten games this year. He can be an important piece next season if he starts to believe in himself again.