Mike James - flickr/Keith Allison
Last week, I had a chance to interview Mike James over the phone from Houston as he was on his way to the gym. Why Mike James? Well, the guy was nice enough to respond to my email and subsequently agree to chat. Doubt many NBA players would do the same for a ‘blogger’.
In speaking with Mike, I came away with two main impressions; he absolutely loves the game of basketball and he’s very confident — two traits you’ll probably find in every player who sticks around in the best basketball league in the world for more than five seasons.
Acquired from New Orleans in mid-December, James’ presence on the court in a season inevitably filled with mounting losses was the cause of frustration for many Wizards fans who would have rather seen younger players developing on the court.
However, many times James was the only guard willing to penetrate into the paint, or at least try … an aspect of creation so desperately needed by a team simply trying to play together. Either that or James was the only veteran PG available, as young Javaris Crittenton, acquired in the same trade, tried to acclimate himself to his third team in two seasons, or as Juan Dixon fought through injury and the inability to lead an offense.
Read more »
Published in
mike james,
Player Interviews |
3 CommentsTags:
aj price,
chauncey billups,
detroit pistons,
duquesne,
gilbert arenas,
houston,
john lucas,
miami heat,
mike james,
new orleans hornets,
washington wizards
You remember David Wesley….former NBAer, longtime Hornet, one time speed racer (what, too soon?).
I was flipping around on whatever day it was….with basketball, they all run into each other…and evidently Baylor was playing against someone in some tournament…..probably NIT (is the CBI even on television? is it black-listed from MSMer and the blogworld alike?)…..and there was David Wesley: student manager.
Wesley needed 33 credits to graduate, so working on that physical education degree while watching basketball…..good for him.
Wesley never played for the Wizards, but is connected to several people who have:
Typical scene from modern day Oklahoma
where the dust bowl continues.
Started to watch the beginning of the Wizards-Thunder game last night…but fell asleep, bloggers need naps too. I’d intended on waking up at some point and watching from the start…..but then thought, am I really missing anything?
So, the game blog picks at the end of the 2nd quarter.
———————————-
Why do they play “Whomp, There It Is!” when good things happen at OKC games? (well, when Russell Westbrook does good things) Bet that’s the only hip-hop song (wait, is that song considered hip-hop?) that’s “safe” for the white people in Oklahoma.
As soon as I turn the game on, you got 10-0 Thunder runs, Wizards matador defense, Russell Westbrook dunks…..36-35 OKC.
Of course, the Thunder are in a competition with the Wiz to see who can turn the ball over more.
Read more »
Many have believed that 18-year old phenom, Ricky Rubio, would not enter the 2009 NBA draft because of a six million Euro buyout from his current contract with DKV Joventut of the Spanish ACB league.
However, recent reports, including one from Draft Express on February 22nd, indicate that via Rubio’s representatives, U.S. agent Dan Fegan, negotiations are under way to reduce Rubio’s buyout to three or four million Euros.
Rubio is very likely to be a top three pick in the ’09 draft which would be the most favorable conditions for a possible buyout. ESPN’s Chad Ford follows up with a Feb. 27th report that there are strong indications that Rubio will be available in the upcoming draft.
How does this benefit the Wizards?
Well, obviously, the potential lottery pick for a team currently tied with Oklahoma City for the second worst record in the NBA (two games behind the league worst Sacramento Kings) gets more valuable in what is considered a weak draft.
So, if the Wizards are looking to package either or both of the last year contracts of Etan Thomas and Mike James, the two most preferable to jettison, with a draft pick, the presence of Rubio makes it more enticing for the potential partner. Of course, we won’t know where the Wiz stand in the draft until the season’s over and the draft lottery is held during playoff basketball in May.
Read more »
He came in cool wearing black and chewing gum.The headlines today say that Obama should attend more Wizards games…..sure, why not?
But dammit if the Wizards shouldn’t give that kind of effort and energy all the time…..the guy only lives in the same city.
But props to the President….he sat court side, had himself a beer, and seemed to take a bit of heckling well (he was openly cheering for the Bulls).
[Check the game blog on Bullets Forever here]
Read more »
The Wizards blew a huge lead in a matter of minutes in the 2nd quarter….so what? They won, didn’t they? [Game 54 Blog @ Bullets Forever]
Ok, so Antawn Jamison’s face at halftime above says it all. He was pretty much constipated over the 10 2nd quarter turnovers that let the T-Wolves back in the game.
One day this team will learn not to make it so hard on themselves…..but sucking wind is part of the growing pains, right?
The good part…..how ’bout that Javaris Crittenton fellow? Boy he’s coming along.
- Love him in the open court.
- He makes a mistake here and there in transition, but is not as erratic as you think.
- Quick decision maker when facing pressure on the break.
- Good court vision — becoming comfortable with where his teammates will be.
- Willing to pass first, but also looks to make aggressive drives to the basket.
- Gaining confidence in his shot — as evidenced by that huge bucket he hit with 55 seconds left and no qualms.
Read more »
Q1
You’d think that it’d get to the point where when Phil Chenier discusses ‘Keys to the Game’, he’d just say, “don’t lose” — but I guess that’d be lazy.
Tonight’s key: Mike James…yes, an NBA vagabond is our freaking key to the game.
8:43: Caron turnover trying to pass to Jamison….that was just a horrible angle…..basketball instinct diminishing.
7:32: I don’t understand how the Wizards can appear to be pointing and communicating, yet completely turn their back on Igoudala who gets a lob from Miller and dunks. 10-7 Sixers.
7:05: Again…basic defensive principles. Mike James shoots, his man, Miller, runs…Butler, being the other guard, needs to take responsibility in getting back on D…against A RUN–NING TEAM. But he doesn’t…..enough of this “I’m not used to playing shooting guard” B.S. — pay attention (I know, he just doesn’t care to).
Read more »
Well, who was I kidding with this? Watched the game this morning despite my protests….newsflash: we’re terrible. Keep reading.
Q1
Caron starts by shooting a three….miss…no surprise.
McGuire is all over on D…..deflections, etc.
Wiz look sluggish in every aspect.
Read more »
Q1
8:08: Dom McGuire has gotten good at the corner jumper…..as long as he omits that hitch he has in his shot at times. 9-4 Wiz.
D-Mac, of course, can potentially be a great defender, but really must work on his lateral movement.
7:37: Blatche spin and gets in air, but the Wiz (Mike James in this instance) are making better cuts, and it’s an easy pass for a layup. 11-6 Wiz.
Wiz start 1-5 on FGs, but go 5-5 since…thanks to the fact that Brad Miller cannot guard Andray…who has 9 points on 3-4 shooting.
5:46: Butler is having his own issues with Salmons, who just drove by him for a dunk. 17-13 Wiz.
Did the Kings just not account for Blatche in their game plan at all? Is Brad Miller that bad of a defender? Is he being left on an island? Don’t know, but Andray has 8 points already.
Read more »
Milestones: MLK day, Inauguration eve, JaVale McGee is 21, Michael Adams celebrates a B-Day as well, Wiz playing the team against which Ed Tapscott got his first win and Captain Jack does not care.
Q1
11:00:
The Good Thing: Wizards don’t have too much of a reason to collapse into the paint on Biedrins
Bad Thing: Blatche is sometimes allergic to blocking out…Biedrins gets a board and then Azubuike gets 2nd chance three. 5-2 G-State.
Not sure what Caron Butler going behind the screen on a shooter like Jamal Crawford has to do with him having to play the two-spot.
Jamison starts out focused against his former team with 6 of the first 8 points for the Wiz…..he’s also being guarded by rookie Anthony Randolph (who has to check out with 2 early fouls). 8-8 tie.
Read more »
Q1
11:23: David Lee gets on board for the Knicks as they move the ball well while Andray Blatche flounders around the paint, quizzically pointing fingers at lost defensive assignments. 2-2.
11:09: Blatche, however, scores the first four points of the game….the latter pair coming on a nice behind the back dribble and pull up on Lee who gave him too much space.
It’s nice to see confidence from Andray, but I see two big problems with him: 1) being able to keep up with the energy/hustle of David Lee, and 2) lack of concentration.
8:44: Nice NY ball movement from a driving Lee to a moving Jared Jeffries leaves Blatche’s head hanging. 11-9 Wizards.
The Wiz are moving the ball fairly well themselves though and have taken a 15-9 lead on a Mike James three.
Read more »
Some will tell you that Michael Redd killed the Wizards with his All-Star play, especially that huge three he hit to put the Bucks up 93-89 with 1:20 left (Dominic McGuire got caught on a screen and Andray Blatche didn’t help like he was supposed to).
Some will tell you that Andrew Bogut was a heavy-weight in the paint with 18 points and 10 boards (sure he was trouble, but at times, the Wizards guards focused on him too much, losing sight of perimeter assignments).
I will tell you that the #1 problem in my book was one which has consistently plagued the Wizards’ defensive efforts for years: backcourt defense. During crucial moments of the game, it seemed that either Luke Ridnour or Ramon Sessions were getting their way against the likes of Javaris Crittenton and Mike James.
The ball handling duo for the Bucks combined for 14 assists and only 2 turnovers (both on Ridnour, who had 10 of the assists). The quick offensive movement they spawned was contagious to their teammates…..and it was the poor down-the-stretch defense of the Wizards which helped thwart any easy chances to be had on offense.
But in reality, one could point to a number of reasons and be correct. They all add up to a choking mentality, and that’s the tragedy with which this Wizards team is faced. It’s not the way they play, it’s the way they think.
Read more »
LeBron James, once again, on his knees and holding his mouth — right after a charge was called on him which led to his daddy, Mike Brown, getting kicked out of yesterday’s game.
Sure, it was a questionable call. Mike James of the Wizards had position, but I saw the replay, he turned his shoulder at the last second.
Regardless, is there really a need for all the dramatics? I think not.
Caron Butler is out again (I guess this is the “tanking it” that many have been calling for — you know and I know that if this game meant something, Tuff Juice would be spilling himself on the court.)
Q1
11:48: Andray v. Yao….Ming stars off with a fade away miss, Blatche played decent D on him the last time out.
11:00: Instead of staying with Battier,Young zones to Scola with the ball….Jamison is there, but could stand to be closer as Scola can shoot…..Who’s Your Daddy Battier is open in the corner for the swing pass…..three ball. 3-2 Houston.
10:46: Andray takes a college three (top of key) with 15 on the shot clock — don’t care if you’re open Andray — No, No, NO!!
9:50: Houston is letting Andray have the open 16 footer….and for good reason, he misses again.
Read more »
A couple weeks ago, Rob Mahoney of Upside and Motor released an NBA Archetype Hierarchy chart [click on the link to check out the full blog post and explanations]. Here is Rob’s actual chart:
So naturally, I wanted to categorize each Wizard in primary and secondary roles. But before I get to that, here’s a Rob’s chart with the archetypes the Wizards do not have grayed out (the Wiz obviously have neither an elite point guard nor a refined big man):
And now, a fancy graphic representing Wizards players and their primary and secondary archetypes:
If you don’t like graphics, here’s the listing:
- Gilbert Arenas – Surreal Scorer; Megalomaniacal small guard
- Andray Blatche – Question mark; Skilled, but flawed post
- Caron Butler – Salad Bar; Renaissance man
- Javaris Crittenton – Question mark; Scoring ‘combo guard’
- Juan Dixon – Scoring ‘combo guard’; Chucker
- Brendan Haywood – Interior defensive presence; Skilled, but flawed post
- Mike James – Scoring ‘combo guard’; Chucker
- Antawn Jamison – Renaissance Man; Locker room chemist
- JaVale McGee – Raw, project center; Under construction
- Dominic McGuire – Intangible role player; Wing stopper
- Oleksiy Pecherov – Three-point shooting big; Under construction
- Darius Songaila – Hustle Player; Intangible role player
- DeShawn Stevenson – Chucker; wing stopper
- Etan Thomas – Brute rebounder; Question mark
- Nick Young – High talent, low IQ wing player; Chucker
And finally, some explanatory bullets:
Read more »
