Damion James an NBA Talent?

by texasboi01 on Feb 21, 2008 9:46 PM CST Comment 9 comments

I wrote this so that i may attempt to help my fellow BONers relax about D.James a lil bit.

No, theres no link and theres no he say, she say situation, but follow me for a second. Last season, Damion James was practically a nobody to NBA scouts...the only reason they probably ever seen the kid play was because he stepped in front of their view briefly as they watched in awe at Kevin Durant's reign in the Big 12. If this guy had any kind of sense he would remember the vast improvement that he made from his freshman to sophomore year and know how much his chances at not only being drafted higher in the NBA would increase, but also the chance of him leaving college with a championship ring. Im not gonna lie to you, i knew this team was gonna be serious this season because they were all talented freshman last year. Their experience was huge. The only people that are likely to leave the team are the DJ's and i think they will both stay because they both know that regardless of how successful this season's season will be, it'll be better next year with both of them on board and reloaded once again. (oh and with a Dexter Pittman upgrade and no Connor Atchley relapse)

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i personally don't see it this year

for him
meaning he could do it
but the true value would be next year
he's too undersized to play a forward position
but that's where his skill set is at right now
he doesn't have the dribbling skills to be a slashing guard
his shot is slow but nice
and his defensive speed on his feet leaves him to guard bigs in college
but he'd have to guard people that are stronger and/or faster in the league
i think he's great right now ... but seriously needs another year
for example see corey brewer from florida right now
that's who james is reminding me off and what he will be if he leaves this year
i think in another year he could be more of a raja bell

by abcdmetrius on Feb 21, 2008 10:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wishcasting

I know we all hope you're right, but when has anyone stayed that we thought should stay? Do you think Damion will look at what happened to PJ and decide to stick around? With a couple million waiting for him in the NBA? Not likely. Which left me thinking about next year's starting lineup.

G Dogus Balbay
G AJ Abrams
G Justin Mason
F Connor Atchley
F Gary Johnson

Doesn't exactly spark thoughts of a National Championship run, does it? I suppose Johnson could make the same kinda of leap from freshman to sophomore that James made, but as good as Balbay MAY be some day he's a definite downgrade from DJ as a junior.

Although we'll be deeper at the post (Matt Hill is back, Dexter the Molester is gonna live up to his promise, I can just feel it), we'll be tissue-thin at guard. I mean, no-one-to-come-off-the-bench thin. Have we even signed a guard in the 2008 class?

Even more reason to enjoy this special season from this special team.

Life is an Occasion. Rise to it.

by patienthornsfan on Feb 21, 2008 10:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

rick barnes said on ESPN radio yesterday...

...that matt hill would be starting this year if he hadn't been injured. wonder if that means we go with a bigger lineup next year, with MH taking mason off the floor in your above lineup?

bleeding orange up in nyc. get a rope.

by cwofford on Feb 22, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

One guard

PHF,

We have one guard, J'Covan Brown, who has verbally committed for the fall. He hasn't signed yet but there is no reason why he shouldn't. He is a combo guard who will give us some depth at both guards spots.

Texas is still trying to sign another wing player in this class. Tyreke Evans and Wesley Witherspoon are the two most likely to come to Austin.

Even if both James and Augustin leave, we will still be solid, but you're right, we won't be national championship contenders.

PG: Balbay, Brown
SG: Abrams, Mason, Smith
SF: Witherspoon, Mason
PF: Johnson, Chapman, Wangmene
C: Atchley, Hill, Pittman

--AW--

by awiggo on Feb 23, 2008 11:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Harrison Smith

Do you think he stay around to ride the bench again? If James does not leave and Barnes gets a commitment from Evans or Witherspoon, does Barnes have a talk with Smith about transferring?

by Wells on Feb 23, 2008 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Possibly

I've thought this for two years. The depth chart has never been in his favor. And when Barnes calls in JD Lewis in front of you, then you know you're in trouble.

Even if Texas doesn't land a second recruit, AJ, Mason, J'Covan Brown, and Balbay will all still be ahead of him.

If he wants to stay and work his ass off, then more power to him. But I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he elects to go elsewhere.

BTW, I have seen nothing in his mop up minutes to justify any minutes.

--AW--

by awiggo on Feb 23, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Damion is not NBA ready, but...

NBA scouts will probably be ready to draft him high for the long term, because of his NBA-type athleticism and his improvement over the last year. They do watch for improvement. If I were him, I would improve my game in college for another year and enter the draft as a possible lottery pick instead of a late first-rounder. However, immediate $$ beckons.

We should all just assume that DJ's gone because there's a very small chance he'll be back.

For those of you so easy to rely on Dogus, it looks like he'll be suspended for the first part (11 GAMES) of next season for playing pro-ball unpaid overseas. It'll be a tough adjustment for him to be a solid Big 12 point immediately without any cupcakes first.

--always Texas--

by longhorn00 on Feb 21, 2008 10:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The NBA Draft

nowadays is more about upside and potential than production. It's all about size and athleticism, and he has it. I'm not saying he should go or he will. He probably wouldn't be a high pick this year, but he is the kind of player that the NBA loves.

So what if I'm tired? I can rest when I die.

by mmorales11 on Feb 22, 2008 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs