|
Post by VictorE on Jan 24, 2004 9:38:30 GMT -6
Any theories on why James hasn't recovered from his broken leg injury suffered in the Wisconsin game of Dec 2001 and returned to the level of play of his freshman year? Was the injury that serious that he hasn't been able to recover physically? Are Page, Tigert, Mielke, and Tucker just that much better and James is really back to his old level and just unable to get any minutes? Or is there some other factor? After James' freshman year I thought he would be the emotional leader of this team on the court for the rest of his UWM career and it just hasn't happened for him.
|
|
|
Post by pnthr30 on Jan 26, 2004 8:50:39 GMT -6
I don't think the reason that he isn't getting much/any pt has to do with his leg.
|
|
|
Post by uwmfan on Jan 26, 2004 9:01:57 GMT -6
Agreed....I don't think it's his leg either. He's an active inside player but I don't think his offensive skills are as solid as the others mentioned.
In the past he was able to give a defensive lift at times....now I think there are more consistent defenders that also have more to offer offensively.
|
|
|
Post by pnthr30 on Jan 26, 2004 9:29:31 GMT -6
I agree uwmfan, but I would still like to see him get a few minutes a game to use up some fouls and see if he can provide a little "lift" with his play......maybe a steal, block, board, or dunk. The bottom line is that he is still very athletic - but offensively challenged outside of a few feet.
|
|
|
Post by pnthr97 on Jan 26, 2004 9:46:14 GMT -6
offensively challenged outside of a few feet. That's a nice, politically correct way of saying that pnthr30. If JW would ever take a shot outside of 6 feet, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bruce run onto the court and yank James off. I agree that James may be a spark plug, kind of like Darvin Ham. But, he also makes defensive lapses. That combined with being a liability offensively makes it difficult for him to play.
|
|
|
Post by uwmfootball on Jan 26, 2004 10:11:46 GMT -6
I think that JW not playing is a testament to how far this program has come. The fact is that we now have better players that him and we are winning. Not to knock JW's ability, but thats the bottom line.
|
|
|
Post by uwmfan on Jan 26, 2004 10:18:25 GMT -6
Agree with ya, UWMfootball. Same thing with the likes of Dan Weisse, Kalombo, and others from the past. These guys came in and had a chance to contribute right away and then disappeared while talent level increased. KK surprised me with his starting role. I'm not sure tho, if that's a testament to his ability as a starting pg vs. Hill's inconsistency. KK is not a great ball handler but adds an ability to defend bigger guards. Chris' quickness is what should keep him in there....maybe still a little green vs. KK's decision making, but I think CH sees the floor better and runs the offense better. ...but I digress....
|
|
kaygee
Sophomore
Panther Pride since 1994!
|
Post by kaygee on Feb 6, 2004 15:16:34 GMT -6
As I watched the game last night, I had a thought when Armon Williams and Elliott Poole were kicking our butts on the offensive glass and getting into the lane at will in the second half, James Wright has 5 fouls to give and should have been in there tangling with Williams for 5-8 minutes in the second half. I could almost see James thinking the same thing as he couldn't sit still on the bench. He might have given us an emotional lift as well. Just a thought! In my mind, James' game is suited to play more athletic teams like Detroit and UIC.
|
|
|
Post by pnthr30 on Feb 6, 2004 15:30:10 GMT -6
I wondered the same thing kaygee.......and even when we play teams that aren't as athletic I sometimes think he could help us out. James may not be as skilled as some, but it doesn't take skill to go bang around and foul a bit. Everyone gets 5 fouls, wish he could use his.
|
|
|
Post by reggiewheelerfor3 on Feb 12, 2004 4:36:54 GMT -6
James is a tough guy to figure out. There have been games in the past when he's been the maybe the best rebounder/defender on the court (Colorado during 2000-01 season) and then looked like a fish in the sand (at Valpo in 2001-02 against multiple big goons). It was almost sad to watch him try to rebound by just jumping in the air without boxing out against the likes of Lubos Barton and that 7-foot-1, 300-pound Russian guy with the crew cut. I agree that he is best suited for an athletic-type game, which I believe is what UWM plays I don't know what the deal is. It must be that he has no offensive talent. He's one of the few guys I know of that can throw it off the backboard and not draw rim after an offensive rebound.
|
|