I dont care what he says, all I care about is that he was a great player for us, he was one of the reasons for success in 04-05, he was in no way a ballhog, he never took shots away from our stars, and most importantly: we wasted him for nothing (Rafer is less than nothing, Rafer is TRASH).... so I bet you're happy with the outcome of the trade: a trip to the lottery, and maybe similar seasons in years to come if we didn't make a change (get rid of that r****d Alston and sign a PG who can shoot).... the dude can say what ever he wants, he is still a good player.. I know he might sound non-realistic, but well, look at Charles Barkley..
What NOT to critique from those interview clips. I don't think Mike James knows the meaning of contradiction. He says anything that will help plead his case even if it goes against something he said 30 seconds previously. He would seem very self centered. And I'm not taking his comments literally - Talks on and on about wanting his respects, getting his 'chance', and coming up the hard way. Then says he's a superstar to his family and everyone in his neighborhood, "They don't to be like Allen Iverson, they want to be like Mike James". And that's what he appreciates the most, that's all he needs... Okay, if that's ALL he needs then why is everything from his mouth about what credit he deserves and what respect he hasn't gotten from people?! - Said he wasn't just a throw in when he was dealt from Boston to Detroit. That in actuality unbeknownst to everyone he was brought in as an important piece toward the championship (or, the credit he's desparately been wanting). Then next sentence "Then THEY didnt appreciate what I did. Didn't even give me a chance to resign with them!" Okay again what is he, the respected piece on a good team or a retread of the league? I liked his response when asked if he, being that desired piece on a great team he wants to be, can get asked to be the pass-first point guard that will be needed. This after 5 straight minutes of nonstop Mike James banter.. "...............................you know...." Had to think long and hard to respond. At least he was honest and says straight up the kind of player he is, a playmaker guard. Still if he's this guy that's gonna do anything it takes to be on a winner then of course he'd pass the ball around, as a POINT GUARD. He's basically saying without saying it he wants to have the ball in his hands and be the MAIN scorer when it's crunch time. We've already seen it on the Rockets team...we want Mike James 'waving' off people getting the "keys to the car"? Or TMac and Yao taking shots? He wants to boost his ego, but should others on the team with comparable egos and better talent just concede to his? Then ending one interview singing a song and another one with freestyle rap flows! He speaks from the heart and not so much from the mind. Which is understandable and all well and good for me. Can't be faulted for that. If he were like Steve Nash and won two MVPS he'd still be complaining, not getting 'proper' dues for his MVPs or something...he'll never let himself be comfortable I guess. The more he talks might be the more he DOESN'T get credit, the more people don't listen to him. Get him back on the team? Around the same role as before, sure if he can accept that. He's helped his own case pretty good this year with his play gotta admit. Can see how both his game and attitude can get tiresome though....Need to do something with Sura and Wesley first!
Having talked to Mike James, I like him as a person. However, I don't think his game fits in Houston. Mike loves to score period and believes he should take big shots. I'm surprised he shot as well as he did in Toronto. Last summer during the pro league camp he was plain horrible and with teams leaving him wide open. In addition, Mike has a tendency to lower his head and go to the hole and throw up trash. We need williams at the point and a athletic wing in the 2nd round. I think Maurice ager would be the answer. The guy has skills and plays D all day.
He was in no way a ballhog? He NEVER took shots away from our stars? come on, man. That's ludicrous. I liked Mike James when he was here, but I often found myself cringing when he had the ball in his hands because there were times he didn't even seem to acknowledge the fact there were four other rockets on the floor. To say he never took shots away from our stars is the most outrageous thing you said. Everybody remembers the famous wave off. That alone is enough to render your statement false. I'd be all for getting Mike James back on a reasonable contract if I believed he'd be willing to defer to Yao and McGrady and play whatever role is asked of him (including backing up Rafer Alston if need be). Everything he says seems to indicate he wants to be the go to guy though, and I'm not ok with that and anybody who is should have their head checked.
Jeez. I was a bit put off by all those "r's" and "u's", but then found out that he was on one of those blackberrys. I guess that's better, since it's not that easy to type with those things.
Forget about Mike James cuz he is going to be expensive, no matter how bad he wants to come back to H-Town. I say use the money instead on V-span and trying to sign Jay Williams. Draft express says he had a great workout against Marcus Williams and DJ Strawberry. It said he has become a better point guard since being hurt, still has a very fluid shot, and is in great physical condition. Questions still exist on his durability, but he would not be too expensive and Rox dont need him to play huge minutes. Report says a team would be lucky to bring him in as a back up point. I know he also worked out for the raptors and has several other teams lined up. Anyone know if Houston is one of them, cuz he did work out for them last year.
Alright, I'm a Pro-Rafer kinda guy, so i ask all of you Rafer-haters to give him a chance with a healthy lineup to see how he does. If he still continues to suck it up, you can come back and throw bricks at me. With that being said, I would only want mike james back in the following conditions. Otherwise i think he would be detrimental to the team. 1) reasonable contract!! we need quite a few pieces to the puzzle and if we give him what i think he is really asking for, then we will fall into a crap hole. 2) off the bench role. I want him to play the way he plays when T-mac is taking a break. Hell, against smaller quicker teams, have both Rafer and MJ playing at the same time. But only when T-mac is out of the game. He is not the primary option no matter what his delusional mind says. 3) he comes to his senses and realizes he is who he is. Not the MVP, not whatever is in his EGO-head, but a reliable spark of the bench.
