James

[jaymOU]

This may have been addressed in a previous thread, but what has happened to Christian James?

If the reports were true he had 30+ in a scrimmage against UO prior to the season and now he barely plays. I still believe he has a higher ceiling than Odomes, but he's not showing it.

Just looks like he has no confidence in any part of his game.

Not sure how he can save this season, but I was pleasantly pleased to see him jumping around and being into the game on the bench last night. His body language in the game has been awful, but his body language on the bench last night was great. I hope he can translate that back to the court soon.

Anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on with him? After the close of last season, I though he'd lead OU in scoring this year.

 

[sybarite]

He's number three in scoring, #1 in three point shooting. It's not like he is at the end of the bench.

 

[usedtobe1]

I think he is a little heavy and has lost some quickness..... and confidence. He was having trouble staying out of foul trouble early in the year so that limited his court time.... a step slow getting in good defensive position.

Now his shot isn't falling. I agree his confidence is low and he looks hesitant.

 

[TINY]

He will come out of the slump eventually. Sooner the better!

 

[SoonerBounce13]

He will come out of the slump eventually. Sooner the better!

im beginning to think it isn't a slump

 

[oudna]

Mental block.

 

[usedtobe1]

James was ranked as the #1 shooting guard in Texas as a HS junior. The guy CAN shoot the ball.

 

[TINY]

im beginning to think it isn't a slump

He's played at a much higher level last year and earlier this year than he is playing at right now. How can it not be a slump?

 

[BoulderSooner]

he played 17 min last night .. (about what a back up guard should play) ...

I will bet that he still has some very good games in him this season

 

[Soonermarty]

Right now I hold my breath while he's on the floor, too many mistakes, and it seems as though when he's on the floor is when other teams go on their run

 

[152219]

Right now I hold my breath while he's on the floor, too many mistakes, and it seems as though when he's on the floor is when other teams go on their run

That would be Strong-Moore.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

He's played at a much higher level last year and earlier this year than he is playing at right now. How can it not be a slump?

small sample sizes and different roles

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I'll add that he is actually playing at about the same level as last year on a per 40 min line

 

[Stikboy]

When James and Strong came in WV immediately went on their run. Woodard and McGusty need to be on the floor 35 minutes, at least. I didn't get to watch the game last night live but just finished. McGusty was unreal bringing the ball up against that press with such confidence, ball handling ability, and awareness. He right now is just flat out much better than James, and it isn't close. I hope Christian gains some confidence soon, he's a young player. I've shifted my stance on Odomes a little. While he still seems kind of one dimensional, he's making plays in the Big 12 and growing on me. If he expanded is range just a little watch out. Great win last night, those young men finally showed some nuts, so proud. Now, get Shepherd in there instead of Strong and get the boy more experience. Love how our younguns are maturing!

 

[Soonerinkc]

Odomes...like his drive..gets it done. He hit his FT's lately...which is an improvement, and if you drive better be good at FT's.

DEF want Shepard in instead of Strong...sorry dude just isn't getting it done. Rather get a FR more playing time.

Does McNease start instead of Lattin?

 

[38red]

When James and Strong came in WV immediately went on their run. Woodard and McGusty need to be on the floor 35 minutes, at least. I didn't get to watch the game last night live but just finished. McGusty was unreal bringing the ball up against that press with such confidence, ball handling ability, and awareness. He right now is just flat out much better than James, and it isn't close. I hope Christian gains some confidence soon, he's a young player. I've shifted my stance on Odomes a little. While he still seems kind of one dimensional, he's making plays in the Big 12 and growing on me. If he expanded is range just a little watch out. Great win last night, those young men finally showed some nuts, so proud. Now, get Shepherd in there instead of Strong and get the boy more experience. Love how our younguns are maturing!

McGusty is better, he can get his own shots. CJ reminds me of Steven Pledger, big, strong, heavy footer athlete that's a good shooter.

 

[scrybe]

I believe Christian James will prove a bunch of folks wrong before the season is over. I sure hope so, anyway. Perhaps his main problem right now really IS that he's too heavy, as some have suggested. My take, however, continues to be that he's lost his confidence. You can see it in his jumpshot and in the way he passes/handles the ball. He's a completely different player right now than he was late last season and earlier this year.

 

[Stikboy]

One thing about James that i've noticed that isn't specific to his struggles this year or his play last year is his ballhandling. He never goes to his left. Does he have guard ball handling skills? Again, so impressed with McGusty's ability to go to his left, and overall how confident he is handling. As far as James, it's almost as if it would fit him best if he had 4 more inches and could be a stretch 4. Rebounding is one of his strong suits.

 

[sooner 1234]

He's played at a much higher level last year and earlier this year than he is playing at right now. How can it not be a slump?

If buddy/cousins/Woodard were all out there with him in some combination then I might buy that .
It's totally different when a defenses total focus isn't the other two guards.

Saying that obviously he's better the what he's showing right now . Onbviously the leadership burden was just too much pressure for him .

I think he can be a double digit player for us in the future (sr), but I don't think he will ever be the player I hoped .

 

[Boomer23]

I just think he's not quick and he's been eaten up on defense and then it effects his offensive game. If it is fixed it wont be fixed before next year.