Fort Worth Star-Telegram: James to meet with Avery; decision could come tonight

The ESPN article is reaching. Big time.

Certainly, James makes a couple of quotes that worry me. However, in no place in this article does he say that he's leaning to Dallas. And the author in no place says he has sources that say he's leaning to Dallas. He's speculating for ratings based on a couple of quotes.

This is no different than the Toronto Sun article last week citing "reports" that said James was close to signing with us.

 

No, but if a man says that he wants to come to Houston for family reasons, and then recinds on that, then that is how I take it. He threw his personal life out there. I am not IN anything.

 

I disagree, because the Mavs could easily be the "emotional choice". They have a better team, they have not traded him for a lesser player before. They did not offer the job initially to Bob Sura instead of Mike James. We have overlooked Mike James a lot, it will be big of him to come here. Thank his wife if he does come.

Agreed, pure speculation based on public comments.

I still think it is 50/50, and more distance from Avery and Cuban very appealing dog and pony show the better.

 

For other reasons (that you have cited) Dallas is also an obvious choice, but isn't it a fact that Dallas was not even a factor until the last week or so? Obviously we don't know what conversations took place behind the scenes. Teams couldn't make any public comment until July 1 but were there Dallas rumors before then. The Mavs were kind of busy with the NBA Finals....

James has been talking up Houston and vice-versa since the regular season ended? That's the obvious issue that I was referring to.

Something has changed. It would surprise me if he doesn't sign with Dallas at this point.

 

ESPN is so dumb...just because Mike James said he respects Avery Jhonson and he has been the wow so far, does not mean he is leaning towards joining the Mavs!!!!! He has said great things about CD n Gundy n Garnett, that does not mean he is joining the Rox or Wolves. Simply rubbish speculation just to create a news!!!

 

Dallas are Championship Contenders, Rockets are trying to make it back to the playoffs and hopefully past the 1st round. Mike James not going to make or break this team. We need to go after Wilcox, sign Lucas.. and be done with it.

 

I think you misinterpreted the rule. It basically states that if a player will be over 36 at the end of a contract and is unable to play those years, then the salary past that point will not count against the cap for the current years. They will, however, count against previous years caps incrementally.

This stuff is confusing.

Here's the link:
Over 36 Rule

 

Anyone else find it coincidental that his "decision" is coming awfully close to the many mentioned date of July 12? Perhaps there is more to the Rudy Gay deal than many thought? Probaly wishful thinking, but hope is all I have left, lol.

 

From a player's standpoint, who wouldn't want to play for Avery Johnson? The guy is a winner, coaches an uptempo pace, and preaches defense. Meanwhile Van Gundy is a bitter old man that coaches basketball like it was 1950.

 

Simple question- if it Les Alexander Versus Mark Cuban, and if you were Mike James who would you believe wants the NBA Title Now!

Sorry Guys I dont like Mark Cuban's Antics but- his enthusiasm to win the NBA Title ( not just his money) is way more than most NBA owners.

 

Actually, I think Pat Riley is a winner. The Mavericks are chokers. Dirk disappears in crunch time. Cuban has the league/refs against the team. Avery's championship ring should have an asterisk engraved.

Apparently, the big man, wing man, role players combination still works pretty well while the "uptempo pace" is still coming up short.

Players don't complain about JVG. Jon Barry said he was the best coach he played for. TMac loves him.

Most importantly, Mike James said he loves him as well.

Keep hope alive.

 

I think that the conversation should go something like this...

Clip of JVG talking to Mike James

 

My reading of the language is that contract years are considered to extend from October until the moratorium (July 1st). Mike James will be 36 one week before the moratorium if he signs a 5 year contract this offseason, and thus I think that 5th year is considered deferred compensation.

 

Right. The 5th year would be deferred if he doen't play that year. He would still be getting paid more with a 5 year deal regardless. Why couldn't a team offer the 5 year deal?

 

If that 5th year is treated as deffered, which I am not totally sure of in Mike James case though I do think so (Gater thinks not in another thread), than the starting salary the exemption is used must factor in that prorated amount. Whether he does or does not play in the 5th year doesn't factor in whether the initial contract fits within the allowed salary structure.

 

Ok, I understand it now. I just finished reading the whole explanation in Coon's site. It seems like a 5 year deal would still be better form him though. He would at least have the option to play the 5th year and collect that 5th year money.

 

What we need to do is give James an opt out after 3 years with a handshake agreement that we will give him the 4th year after he opts out with a substantial raise. Yeah, I know, it's probably illegal, but a handshake isn't in writing. It's a gentlemen's agreement that is good because the Rox aren't going to risk getting a bad rep with player's agents.

 

If the guy really wants to put down roots in Houston, it seems like signing with Dallas would be last thing he'd do. I'm sure his boys wouldn't care, but it might be hard on him in public during the off-season. I'm sure that no one here would hate on him, but if he walks into Marble Slab, would he rather hear "Mike James! I love the Rockets!" or "Mike James! You're killing my team, man!"

 

Exactly what I've been thinking as well. MJ as a 6th man would be perfect for the Mavericks. In fact, at first, I thought they were going to do a SnT with Toronto using Daniels but they shipped him off to Indy. If they give up anyone, it would be Stackhouse.

 

Agreed, but Avery is an up and coming coach, and he's taken the Mavs further than anyone thought possible. I don't think Dirk was the reason that Dallas lost the series, nor was AJ.

Van Gundy's just not a fun guy, in spite of what his players say.