(03-18-2021 09:55 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(03-18-2021 08:53 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Edwards definitely came into his own this season. Very interested to watch him continue to develop for us. He is a blast to watch play.

Certainly saw the improvement from Edwards, and he was a key in some of our games this year. That said, I don't see the upside for him I see in Amati and Strickland. I think Edwards is a "tough", heady player. Don't see him as overly talented.

Im also going to disagree as well. Edwards has the relentless motor and fearless bug you just cant teach. Matt has that as well. If I had to guess, he will develop under a similar trajectory as matt. He is not quite as trigger happy from behind the 3 as matt was his freshman season, but he would go up against the most senior players in the league on his drives and finish pretty reliably.

Given that, he will need to improve big time on his FT shooting percentage, because he will get fouled a lot in this league if he goes to the rack a lot.

Id also like to see him improve his jumping ability to finish more reliably with dunks. He is 6'6'' and should be able to improve on that once his frame fully develops. I dont think he will fully physically develop until next year or the year after.

(03-18-2021 09:55 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(03-18-2021 08:53 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Edwards definitely came into his own this season. Very interested to watch him continue to develop for us. He is a blast to watch play.

Certainly saw the improvement from Edwards, and he was a key in some of our games this year. That said, I don't see the upside for him I see in Amati and Strickland. I think Edwards is a "tough", heady player. Don't see him as overly talented.

Im also going to disagree as well. Edwards has the relentless motor and fearless bug you just cant teach. Matt has that as well. If I had to guess, he will develop under a similar trajectory as matt. He is not quite as trigger happy from behind the 3 as matt was his freshman season, but he would go up against the most senior players in the league on his drives and finish pretty reliably.

Given that, he will need to improve big time on his FT shooting percentage, because he will get fouled a lot in this league if he goes to the rack a lot.

Id also like to see him improve his jumping ability to finish more reliably with dunks. He is 6'6'' and should be able to improve on that once his frame fully develops. I dont think he will fully physically develop until next year or the year after.

(03-18-2021 08:53 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 09:56 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 03:58 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 06:37 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 01:49 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  You’re a fan of Edwards, and yet you denigrate Christmas’ basketball IQ? Pardon me while I chuckle.

All Cooke had was “potential” too...but JMU never benefited from it.

Christmas is a talented player with a big upside. He’s a Sophomore, and if I understand things correctly, doesn’t he retain this COVID year of eligibility? That gives Christmas 3 more years at JMU (if he chooses to use them). A lot of maturing and development can happen in 3 years. I think his upside is quite high, and would benefit the JMU MBB program.

Only time will tell how Christmas’ college career will turn out. I’m very sorry to see him leave (should he follow through on his decision).

You don’t comprehend the written word very well. I mentioned Edwards motor. Their are holes in Edwards game too but he makes up for those with his defensive intensity and the fact that he never stops moving.

I am not dismissing Christmas’s potential. I just don’t see him as irreplaceable. What holds him back is his lack of consistent energy. He gets lost on the court at times too. I would see other players directing him where to go when they were setting up the press.

Byington must agree with my assessment because Christmas averaged under 20 minutes a game this year. Christmas has talent but not enough to earn a starting position. Based on Byington’s first recruiting class, I expect he will bring in a player or two that will be better than Christmas and therefore Christmas’s role wouldn’t change much.

Cooke was a good defender at JMU and played with a lot of energy. His shooting percentage seemed to go up at Dayton. I know his average points per game did. I really don’t see the similarities between he and Christmas.

Christmas will transfer down to a low major and likely average more points per game. I don’t see his defense picking up because I don’t see his energy picking up but as you say, time will tell.

I comprehend fine my friend. Your willingness to overlook Edwards lack of what you have defined as “basketball IQ” and your rather harsh condemnation of Christmas for lacking same is what I find funny. I guess you like that Edwards makes his mistakes with more energy.

But it’s ok to disagree...which we do about Christmas and his potential future contributions to JMU MBB. He will be missed.

I also fine it rather presumptuous that you have already forecast his future as limited to transferring “down” to a “low major.” What is that exactly? Iowa State? Or did you mean to express Christmas would transfer “down” to a low “mid-major”?

Should Christmas transfer into any major conference, or simply a better MBB conference than the CAA, and he then scores more points and plays more minutes I don’t think that scenario supports your judgment about his ability to contribute to JMU’s program. Nor does it support your judgment if he finds a starting role at another mid-major, similar to Dwight Wilson, who also had his critics.

Let’s just agree to disagree about Christmas, and wish him the best. I’m sure we’ll both watch what happens next with heightened interest.

We can disagree and it is okay. It is boring if we all agree on everything. How we disagree is important though. Sometimes your posts are dismissive like when you say “pardon me while I chuckle”. Leave that one sentence out, and the rest is just you sharing your opinion.

I did not address Edwards basketball IQ in my post. I only spoke to Christmas’s. What I said was give me Christmas’s body and Edwards motor and you have an immensely talented player. In short, I took the best attributes of both.

Edwards grew on me this year. I was critical of him early in the season because he played out of control and took a lot of bad shots. He turned it over too. As I said, his game has holes in it. What I did notice late in the season was that when he was in the game, the energy level of every teammate elevated. The Dukes became a lockdown defense.

I have heard where Christmas is going. I made a mistake when I typed low major. It is low mid-major. I too wish him well.

Byington is elevating the JMU program. Good players are transferring out and better players are coming in. We won’t miss Christmas. Not a slam on him, just recognizing that Byington is raising the bar. I am excited to see who he adds for next season.

Sorry if you took my chuckle personally, but your post was amusing to me, and sharing so was my honest opinion, as is the intent of all my posts. Otherwise, why post at all?

I’m not “attacking” you, I was disagreeing with you. I read your post, considered your point(s), and responded. By the very nature of my taking time to respond is proof in point I was not “dismissive” of whatever you thought. You obviously must think your word is gospel and is above reproach. It’s not, anymore than my shared opinions on this board are.

So please chill. I’m glad Edwards is staying. I think Christmas had a higher top end than you do, higher than Edwards, and your “opinion” not withstanding, I’m sorry to see him transfer. I believe a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, and if HCMB can recruit a better player than Christmas to take his spot on the roster I’m all for it. But the proof of that is yet to be proven.

I apologize if my post gives you the impression that I think my opinion is gospel and above reproach. I don’t feel this way. My opinion is simply just an opinion being shared.

I come here for entertainment as I enjoy talking JMU sports with fans that share a common interest. I enjoy hearing different points of view like yours. I do feel your posts come across as dismissive or attacking at times. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it is the poster. Probably both. For my part, I try to be thoughtful with what I write. If it comes across the wrong way, I am happy to apologize because I feel this board is a community and we should all strive to communicate as we would if we were speaking to that person face to face.

I would like for Christmas to stay but he made the decision to leave so I posted my opinion on him as a player and my belief that Byington will find someone more talented to replace him.

I understand fully that you like him and feel his departure is a big loss. I have no issues with this opinion. We agree that time will tell us whose opinion was correct.

(03-18-2021 11:32 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(03-18-2021 08:53 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 09:56 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 03:58 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(03-17-2021 06:37 AM)JMUNation Wrote:  You don’t comprehend the written word very well. I mentioned Edwards motor. Their are holes in Edwards game too but he makes up for those with his defensive intensity and the fact that he never stops moving.

I am not dismissing Christmas’s potential. I just don’t see him as irreplaceable. What holds him back is his lack of consistent energy. He gets lost on the court at times too. I would see other players directing him where to go when they were setting up the press.

Byington must agree with my assessment because Christmas averaged under 20 minutes a game this year. Christmas has talent but not enough to earn a starting position. Based on Byington’s first recruiting class, I expect he will bring in a player or two that will be better than Christmas and therefore Christmas’s role wouldn’t change much.

Cooke was a good defender at JMU and played with a lot of energy. His shooting percentage seemed to go up at Dayton. I know his average points per game did. I really don’t see the similarities between he and Christmas.

Christmas will transfer down to a low major and likely average more points per game. I don’t see his defense picking up because I don’t see his energy picking up but as you say, time will tell.

I comprehend fine my friend. Your willingness to overlook Edwards lack of what you have defined as “basketball IQ” and your rather harsh condemnation of Christmas for lacking same is what I find funny. I guess you like that Edwards makes his mistakes with more energy.

But it’s ok to disagree...which we do about Christmas and his potential future contributions to JMU MBB. He will be missed.

I also fine it rather presumptuous that you have already forecast his future as limited to transferring “down” to a “low major.” What is that exactly? Iowa State? Or did you mean to express Christmas would transfer “down” to a low “mid-major”?

Should Christmas transfer into any major conference, or simply a better MBB conference than the CAA, and he then scores more points and plays more minutes I don’t think that scenario supports your judgment about his ability to contribute to JMU’s program. Nor does it support your judgment if he finds a starting role at another mid-major, similar to Dwight Wilson, who also had his critics.

Let’s just agree to disagree about Christmas, and wish him the best. I’m sure we’ll both watch what happens next with heightened interest.

We can disagree and it is okay. It is boring if we all agree on everything. How we disagree is important though. Sometimes your posts are dismissive like when you say “pardon me while I chuckle”. Leave that one sentence out, and the rest is just you sharing your opinion.

I did not address Edwards basketball IQ in my post. I only spoke to Christmas’s. What I said was give me Christmas’s body and Edwards motor and you have an immensely talented player. In short, I took the best attributes of both.

Edwards grew on me this year. I was critical of him early in the season because he played out of control and took a lot of bad shots. He turned it over too. As I said, his game has holes in it. What I did notice late in the season was that when he was in the game, the energy level of every teammate elevated. The Dukes became a lockdown defense.

I have heard where Christmas is going. I made a mistake when I typed low major. It is low mid-major. I too wish him well.

Byington is elevating the JMU program. Good players are transferring out and better players are coming in. We won’t miss Christmas. Not a slam on him, just recognizing that Byington is raising the bar. I am excited to see who he adds for next season.

Sorry if you took my chuckle personally, but your post was amusing to me, and sharing so was my honest opinion, as is the intent of all my posts. Otherwise, why post at all?

I’m not “attacking” you, I was disagreeing with you. I read your post, considered your point(s), and responded. By the very nature of my taking time to respond is proof in point I was not “dismissive” of whatever you thought. You obviously must think your word is gospel and is above reproach. It’s not, anymore than my shared opinions on this board are.

So please chill. I’m glad Edwards is staying. I think Christmas had a higher top end than you do, higher than Edwards, and your “opinion” not withstanding, I’m sorry to see him transfer. I believe a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, and if HCMB can recruit a better player than Christmas to take his spot on the roster I’m all for it. But the proof of that is yet to be proven.

I apologize if my post gives you the impression that I think my opinion is gospel and above reproach. I don’t feel this way. My opinion is simply just an opinion being shared.

I come here for entertainment as I enjoy talking JMU sports with fans that share a common interest. I enjoy hearing different points of view like yours. I do feel your posts come across as dismissive or attacking at times. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it is the poster. Probably both. For my part, I try to be thoughtful with what I write. If it comes across the wrong way, I am happy to apologize because I feel this board is a community and we should all strive to communicate as we would if we were speaking to that person face to face.

I would like for Christmas to stay but he made the decision to leave so I posted my opinion on him as a player and my belief that Byington will find someone more talented to replace him.

I understand fully that you like him and feel his departure is a big loss. I have no issues with this opinion. We agree that time will tell us whose opinion was correct.

I feel the same way about the board.

Regarding Christmas (last word to put things in perspective regarding my feelings about him), I do like his potential. I was excited that LR was able to sign him as a recruit, beating out (among others, ODU). I was disappointed how LR used him, however, and how Christmas responded his Freshmen year. By the end of the season under LR I felt Christmas had regressed as I expected more.

This year I did see improvement in his play, which admittedly was inconsistent, but when he was “on” he made a positive and noticeable impact on the game. Perhaps his improvement his Sophomore year was due to better coaching, or to his maturing. The improvement was most likely a bit of both. Given that improvement, I anticipated that had Christmas stayed we could expect to see continued development that would be helpful to the program’s continuing success.

Regarding Christmas’ decision to transfer I don’t see his departure as a “big” loss...defining “big” as having a significant impact on the program’s ability to compete for the league championship. I see it as disappointing in that it impacts the team’s depth and level of stability.

I also see it in terms as an educator. I always felt that an underachieving student with talent who doesn’t excel in one of my classes as a personal failure. I hated evaluating a student who had failed, because I saw that failure as a critique on my ability to connect with that student. Student’s who asked “why did you give me an F?” we’re always responded to with “I didn’t “give” you anything. You earned your grade.” Still, while the individual (in this case Christmas) is responsible for his own decisions and actions, I would have hoped JMU could have, would have, been the school where Christmas “grew up” and developed into a player who made the most of his abilities. In that sense I see his decision to transfer as a failure on his part, and on the program’s inability to reach him.

JMU MBB must be more that the sum of one player...although the loss of Matt Lewis right before the CAAT proves how important one player can be. Here’s to hoping HCMB continues to elevate the program with each passing recruiting class.

Great post Longhorn. Your assessment of Christmas is spot on IMO. I also enjoyed reading your perspective as an educator and understand/appreciate why you would feel a personal sense of responsibility. Loved the earned your grade story too.

Christmas has a good family support structure. Sometimes their influence can lead a young man in a different direction. It is a shame that Christmas and his family don’t see the growth in Christmas that we saw. If Michael can’t buy into what Byington wants from him, then moving should not be seen as a failure for either of them. They just disagree and parting ways is better than staying together and hurting the teams chemistry because an unhappy player isn’t good for a teams chemistry.

(03-18-2021 08:27 AM)Halz87 Wrote:  I was the one that was high on Edwards early...and it felt kinda lonely!
The basketball IQ that I liked was his court awareness. His defensive positioning, and anticipation of what was coming, along with his energy and confidence, are traits that grow well. Court vison helped him with his assist game as well. I think he will be a standout for us before his Duke career is over.

He started to dial back some of the ill advised shot selection from early in the season while still being aggressive. I view that as Freshman issues that experience fixes (while I've seen seniors with plenty of experience that have problems with anticipation of plays or getting "lost" on the court). He had a terrible shooting night against Elon, but I didn't have a problem with any of the shots. I thought they were good looks. I'd just like to see more arc on his three, and with his affinity for attacking into the paint, a little work on his handle.

You were ahead of the curve on Edwards. Your second paragraph is spot on.

I was really frustrated with Edwards early and couldn’t figure out why he was playing so much. At the seasons end, I came to appreciate him more. I feel he needs to change his release. His ball rotation is sideways. He doesn’t shoot for a good percentage either but that doesn’t stop him. Part of me is both frustrated by the number of shots he takes while the other part of me loves his confidence in taking them. If he ever fixes his mechanics, the sky is the limit for him.

(03-18-2021 02:27 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Great post Longhorn. Your assessment of Christmas is spot on IMO. I also enjoyed reading your perspective as an educator and understand/appreciate why you would feel a personal sense of responsibility. Loved the earned your grade story too.

Christmas has a good family support structure. Sometimes their influence can lead a young man in a different direction. It is a shame that Christmas and his family don’t see the growth in Christmas that we saw. If Michael can’t buy into what Byington wants from him, then moving should not be seen as a failure for either of them. They just disagree and parting ways is better than staying together and hurting the teams chemistry because an unhappy player isn’t good for a teams chemistry.

This pretty much hits the nail on the head. Good coaches expect the player to adapt to the program's system, the program doesn't adjust to the player. I think we saw that tried with Coach Rowe.

Maybe some folks don't realize but most times the players transferring are mutual agreements, sometimes initiated by the coach other times the players. Often times coaches are like fathers to these kids and have interest in what is good for his kids. There aren't a whole lot of secretes between players and coaches.

Players that enter the portal don't always leave. If he does actually transfer, he has the talent to be very successful somewhere that plays a more slower, fundamental style.

Not sure if this was already posted somewhere else but Mike committed to Longwood earlier this week..

Christmas going to Longwood is a perfect example of how the grass is not always greener on the other side of the transfer portal. If he committed to losing 15lbs this offseason he could have been a starter next season for us.

I think Christmas should have stayed at JMU

I think it's worth mentioning that some didn't want Rowe fired due to losing some of his recruits (Christmas was one of them).
There's no doubt that Byington made this program better in one season far more than any of the players could have.
My point is that you should never keep a coach purely based on recruiting.

While to us, it looks like he made a mistake since he ended up at Longwood, perhaps to Christmas it's just what he wanted.
I would have liked to see him stay, but I wish the guy the best of luck.

(04-05-2021 07:58 AM)JMad03 Wrote:  I think it's worth mentioning that some didn't want Rowe fired due to losing some of his recruits (Christmas was one of them).
There's no doubt that Byington made this program better in one season far more than any of the players could have.
My point is that you should never keep a coach purely based on recruiting.

While to us, it looks like he made a mistake since he ended up at Longwood, perhaps to Christmas it's just what he wanted.
I would have liked to see him stay, but I wish the guy the best of luck.

Agree on both counts.

Hopefully, Christmas finds what he is looking for in Farmville.

Thought Michael would of gone to a higher caliber program than Longwood.

Would not surprise me if he dominates.

Wonder is this is because they were the only close option, and he wanted to stay close.

(04-05-2021 12:37 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Thought Michael would of gone to a higher caliber program than Longwood.

Would not surprise me if he dominates.

Wonder is this is because they were the only close option, and he wanted to stay close.

Very possible. All of his degree credits are likely to transfer too. If he starts and puts up good numbers, then graduates early, he may transfer again as a grad student to a higher level program. [/i]

he could def get to a higher level program as a grad transfer - might even be able to play for a school like JMU one day

I like Christmas and wanted him to stay. I will say his basketball IQ isn’t great. When his shot is on, he is an asset. He has a decent spot up three. Where he breaks down is if the shot isn’t there. His next move usually doesn’t result in points for JMU.

Lewis for example demonstrated a high basketball IQ this year. If he has a clear three he takes it. He sometimes drives to the basket where he either kicks it to the open man for a three, dumps it to a cutter or continues on to the hoop.

How many times did we see Christmas set up a teammate for an open three or layup? How often did he finish at the rim?

On the defensive side of the ball he did a decent job rebounding at times but how often did he steal the ball, take it coast to to coast and finish. In two years he did this zero times.
Michael’s game is very one dimensional. So many of Lou’s players were one dimensional.

Byington is recruiting kids that play every aspect of the game. I would argue that Christmas is one of the better three point shooters on the team. I would put him ahead of Edwards, Strickland and Amadi. The difference is these three do everything else at a high level.

Christmas was used perfectly this year. Bring him off the bench for a spark and if he hits a few shots, leave him in to make a run because he often scores in bunches.

Like many of you, I wish him well. Too bad he couldn’t accept his role because from what I have seen it was perfect for him and he could have been part of a CAA championship and NCAA participant.

(04-05-2021 08:55 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I like Christmas and wanted him to stay. I will say his basketball IQ isn’t great. When his shot is on, he is an asset. He has a decent spot up three. Where he breaks down is if the shot isn’t there. His next move usually doesn’t result in points for JMU.

Lewis for example demonstrated a high basketball IQ this year. If he has a clear three he takes it. He sometimes drives to the basket where he either kicks it to the open man for a three, dumps it to a cutter or continues on to the hoop.

How many times did we see Christmas set up a teammate for an open three or layup? How often did he finish at the rim?

On the defensive side of the ball he did a decent job rebounding at times but how often did he steal the ball, take it coast to to coast and finish. In two years he did this zero times.
Michael’s game is very one dimensional. So many of Lou’s players were one dimensional.

Byington is recruiting kids that play every aspect of the game. I would argue that Christmas is one of the better three point shooters on the team. I would put him ahead of Edwards, Strickland and Amadi. The difference is these three do everything else at a high level.

Christmas was used perfectly this year. Bring him off the bench for a spark and if he hits a few shots, leave him in to make a run because he often scores in bunches.

Like many of you, I wish him well. Too bad he couldn’t accept his role because from what I have seen it was perfect for him and he could have been part of a CAA championship and NCAA participant.

I think coach is looking to recruit basketball players instead of athletes that are really good at playing basketball. I think Michael is going to be a starter with lots of playing time at Longwood. He seems to be one of those guys that needs a lot of consecutive minutes to get "into" the game. I get the feeling that is something that wasn't going to happen if he stayed here.

I'm certainly going to be following his career in Farmville, should be fun to watch.

Longwood plays ODU Friday

Christmas hasn’t seen the floor this season for LONGwood College

(11-23-2021 09:47 PM)Bawlmer Duke Wrote:  Longwood plays ODU Friday

Christmas hasn’t seen the floor this season for LONGwood College

I noticed that too, anyone know if he's injured or anything? Or just not cracking the lineup?

Christmas led the team with 18 today as the Lancers (6-10 in the Big South in the regular season) are going dancin'