Dionte Christmas

Dionte Christmas, #22 SG, Temple

Strengths:
- Prolific scorer
- Shooting range
- Size and length
- Defensive effort
- Lateral quickness
- Shooting mechanics
- Ability to get the the line

Weaknesses:
- Creating own shot
- Ball handling
- Movement without the ball
- Posting up smaller defenders
- Older than peers

Summary:
Dionte Christmas can flat out shoot. He has NBA-ready range that he has demonstrated night in and night out. His shooting mechanics, quick release and ability to catch and shoot makes him dangerous from anywhere on the court. He plays well in transition where he is willing to take a jump shot or take the ball straight to the basket. He understands how to get to the line, especially on the fast break. If he decides to go to the hoop, he has demonstrated that he is capable of creating contact and finishing strong. For those times he gets fouled, he goes to the line confidently to shoot (this year he converted on 75% of his free throws). He is not afraid to put the ball on the floor to create his own shot, but it is not his strength. He is at best an average ballhandler (2008-09 A/T ratio of 1) and has had the ball taken away from him by defenders. In Temple's first round game against Arizona State of the NCAA Tournament, you could find Christmas roaming the perimeter, especially in the corners, in half-court situations. This of course can be attributed to ASU's zone defense it plays, but Christmas did not necessarily look to create his shot against the defense, but rather settle for pull up jumpers.

On the defensive end of the court, Christmas exhibits good effort. He has the ability to keep his defender in front of him, help teammates as a weakside defender, fights through screens, has good lateral quickness allowing him to keep with the man he guards and has long arms which allow him to get his hands in the passing lane and pick off poorly thrown passes. Although he demonstrates good defensive qualities, I question his ability to play against the best in the NBA. Against ASU, Christmas did not guard James Harden, a player many scouts are high on. Instead, he guarded ASU's guards who will not be playing at the next level. He may not be a liability though because in several games this year Christmas was able to hold his own against other players, especially those who tried to post him up.

He has the ability and tools to play in the NBA in the long run, but in the short run he will find it tough to make it on a roster. He will more than likely be either an international or D-League player for a few years.

Projection: second round to undrafted

Best fit:
- New Orleans: can you imagine Chris Paul penetrating the lane only to kick out to Christmas for three? With a guard like Paul who would require a double team, or at the very least some defensive help to slow him down, Christmas could get plenty of open looks from downtown.
- LA Lakers: Christmas would not see much time in LA because he would be backing up the league's best SG in Kobe Bryant. I do not think Christmas is the next Kobe, but he would have the opportunity to learn from one of the game's best players. It doesn't hurt that Christmas can shoot the lights out if you give him the chance (something Kobe does well).
- Philadelphia: the 76ers have struggled shooting from deep this season. Christmas would be able to provide a presence from behind the arc, but I do think better prospects are out there the 76ers could take before Christmas.